Typhoon Usagi (2024): A Retrospective Analysis
1. Formation and Meteorological History
Typhoon Usagi, known in the Philippines as Typhoon Ofel, was a powerful tropical cyclone that formed in the western Pacific Ocean in November 2024. The storm developed from a tropical disturbance east of the Philippines and rapidly intensified into a typhoon. Usagi reached its peak intensity with sustained winds of 132 mph (212 km/h), equivalent to a Category 4 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson scale. The storm tracked west-northwestward, making landfall in the northeastern Philippines on November 14, 2024. After crossing Luzon, it weakened but remained a tropical storm as it moved toward Taiwan and later Japan.
2. Impact and Damages
Philippines
Usagi was the fifth major storm to hit the Philippines in less than a month, following Trami, Kong-rey, Yinxing, and Toraji. The typhoon brought torrential rains, severe flooding, and landslides to northern Luzon, particularly in Cagayan Province. A key concrete bridge connecting two towns partially collapsed after logs swept by floodwaters smashed into it. Several other bridges were submerged and rendered impassable. Thousands of homes were damaged, and power outages affected many areas. While no immediate casualties were reported from Usagi itself, the cumulative effect of the successive storms left at least 160 people dead, displaced over 9 million, and caused extensive damage to agriculture and infrastructure.
Taiwan
Taiwan braced for severe weather as Usagi approached its southern coast. The storm was expected to bring damaging winds and heavy rainfall, leading to flash flooding in low-lying areas. Authorities issued warnings and prepared for potential disruptions to transportation and utilities.
Japan
Usagi weakened to a tropical depression as it approached Japan's Miyako Islands in Okinawa Prefecture. The storm brought gusty winds and rain, but significant damage was avoided.
3. Government Response and Relief Efforts
Philippines
Philippine authorities evacuated residents in Cordillera, Ilocos, and Cagayan Valley regions. The government scrambled to transport food packs and aid to over 300 evacuation centers. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s administration allocated over 1 billion pesos ($17 million) for food and aid. Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro sought assistance from neighboring countries (Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia, Brunei) and the United States, which deployed cargo aircraft with supplies. The UN Humanitarian Country Team also provided support.
Taiwan
Taiwan's government issued warnings and prepared emergency response measures, including potential evacuations and deployment of relief supplies.
International
Japan and other affected regions activated their disaster response protocols. The international community offered assistance to the Philippines, which bore the brunt of the storm.
Conclusion
Typhoon Usagi, while not the most intense storm of the 2024 Pacific typhoon season, compounded the devastation in the Philippines, which was already reeling from multiple typhoons. The storm highlighted the increasing frequency and intensity of tropical cyclones in the region, likely linked to climate change. The response efforts underscored the importance of regional cooperation and preparedness in mitigating disaster impacts.