Tropical Storm Merbok (2017)

Severe Tropical Storm Merbok, was a tropical cyclone that impacted southern China in June 2017. Merbok developed out of a tropical depression which was first monitored by the JMA while it was west of Manila, Philippines, on June 10. The system soon was monitored as 04W by the JTWC. The depression then strengthened into Tropical Storm Merbok before making landfall in eastern Shenzhen, China. Merbok then weakened before dissipating over China on June 13.

Severe Tropical Storm Merbok
Severe tropical storm (JMA scale)
Tropical storm (SSHWS)
Severe Tropical Storm Merbok nearing landfall in China on June 12
FormedJune 10, 2017
DissipatedJune 13, 2017
Highest winds10-minute sustained: 100 km/h (65 mph)
1-minute sustained: 85 km/h (50 mph)
Lowest pressure985 hPa (mbar); 29.09 inHg
FatalitiesNone reported
Damage$88.3 million (2017 USD)
Areas affectedPhilippines, South China
Part of the 2017 Pacific typhoon season

Merbok caused tropical storm-force winds in Hong Kong, as the center of the storm passed nearby. Merbok also caused property damage and agricultural damage across Guangdong Province. Total economic losses from Merbok were counted to be CN¥600 million (US$88.3 million).

Meteorological history
Map plotting the track and the intensity of the storm, according to the Saffir–Simpson scale

On June 10, the JMA began monitoring a tropical depression centered to the west of Manila, Philippines.[1] That same day, the JTWC issued a Tropical Cyclone Formation Alert on the system.[2] After the system entered a region favorable for further development, the depression rapidly organized, prompting the JTWC to start issuing advisories and give it the designation of 04W.[3] A few hours later, 04W had intensified into a tropical storm, receiving the name Merbok as it began to move in a north-northwestward direction.[4] On June 12, Merbok reached its peak intensity with 10-minute winds of 100 km/h (65 mph) and a minimum pressure of 985 hPa, shortly before making landfall in Eastern Shenzhen.[4][5] On June 13, the JMA issued its final warning on Merbok, as the system dissipated over China.[5][6][7]

Preparations and impact

Hong Kong

A Signal No. 1 warning was put in place for Hong Kong when Merbok first formed. This was upgraded to a Signal No. 8 warning by the time the storm made landfall.

10 people were injured in Hong Kong due to Merbok. During the storm's passage there were 600 reports of fallen trees, 20 reports of flooding, and 2 reports of landslides. An aluminum window fell off a building in To Kwa Wan, damaging two cars beneath it. Numerous roads were flooded causing major traffic issues on the morning of June 13. A retaining wall along Tai Tam Road in Stanley collapsed due to the heavy rainfall produced by Merbok. Over 500 flights at the Hong Kong International Airport were affected by the storm.[8]

China

A blue alert was issued as Merbok approached China on June 12.[9]

Across Guangdong Province, 32 homes were destroyed, 122,000 people reported property damage, 13,000 hectares of crops flooded, and roughly 155,000 households lost electricity. Total economic losses in South China were counted to be CN¥600 million (US$88.3 million).[10][11][12]

See also

References
  1. "bst2017.txt". Japanese Meteorological Agency. Retrieved December 1, 2020.
  2. "Joint Typhoon Warning Center Annual Tropical Cyclone Report 2017" (PDF). Joint Typhoon Warning Center. Retrieved December 1, 2020.
  3. Teo Blašković (June 11, 2017). "Tropical Storm "Merbok" forms, heading toward Hong Kong, SE China". watchers.news. The watchers. Retrieved December 1, 2020.
  4. "bst2017.txt". Japan Meteorological Agency. Retrieved January 22, 2019.
  5. "Tropical Storm 04W (Merbok) Warning NR 008". usno.navy.mil. Archived from the original on 2017-06-12. Retrieved 2017-06-12.
  6. "Tropical Cyclone Best Track 1702 Merbok (1702)". Japan Meteorological Agency. July 19, 2017. Archived from the original on July 19, 2017.
  7. "1702_MERBOK - SEA Climate Monitoring". seacm.pagasa.dost.gov.ph. Climate Monitoring Prediction Section. This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  8. "Severe Tropical Storm Merbok (1702) 11 to 13 June 2017". Hong Kong Observatory. Retrieved December 1, 2020.
  9. Reuters Staff (June 12, 2017). "Hong Kong and south China brace for Typhoon Merbok". fr.reuters.com. Reuters. Retrieved December 1, 2020.
  10. China Meteorological Agency (November 26, 2017). Member Report: China (PDF). ESCAP/WMO Typhoon Committee: 12th Integrated Workshop. ESCAP/WMO Typhoon Committee. p. 16. Archived (PDF) from the original on December 3, 2013. Retrieved November 26, 2017.
  11. ""苗柏""卷走"2.6亿元" (in Chinese). Retrieved December 1, 2020.
  12. Song, Angel. "Typhoon Merbok Caused ¥260 Million in Damage in Guangdong". That's Online. Retrieved 1 December 2020.
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