Deadly Typhoon “Phanfone” made landfall in central Japan

Typhoon Phanfone made landfall in Shizuoka with winds reported gusting up to 164 km/h (102 mph). The Japan Meteorological Agency reported Typhoon Phanfone officially made landfall near the city of Hamamatsu in Shizuoka Prefecture around 8 a.m. local time.

260 000 people have been advised to evacuate in Shizuoka Prefecture alone. Kanagawa prefecture officials issued evacuation advisories for 120 000 people. Thousands more are being asked to move to safe shelter in the Tokyo metropolitan area.

Unfortunately, three US military members went missing after being washed out to sea in Okinawa (one body was found) and a surfer went missing after being washed out to sea​ at Fujisawa beach near Tokyo.

Aqua/MODIS satellite image of Typhoon Phanfone approaching Japan at 04:55 UTC on October 5, 2014. (Credit: LANCE Rapid Response/MODIS)

10-m wind speed max. gusts at 00:00 UTC on October 6, 2014. (Credit: ECMWF)

Total rainfall amount of 416.0 mm (16.38 inches) was reported in Owase city, Mie Prefecture, in central Japan. Muroto-misaki on eastern Shikoku recorded wind gust of 146 km/h (91 mph) and 137.5 mm (5.41 inches) of rain in just six hours as of late October 5, 2014 while Nishikawa, in Wakayama Prefecture, was inundated with 59.5 mm (2.34 inches) of rain in one hour.

Up to 500 mm (20 inches) or more of rain is expected in the mountains which will cause deadly mudslides and flash floods. Some areas could see as much 300mm in the Kanto Koshin region. Rapid river level rises up and down coastal areas are expected.

MTSAT RBTop IR satellite image of Typhoon Phanfone at 23:32 UTC on October 5, 2014. (Credit: NOAA/MTSAT)

Typhoon strength winds are still likely through the Kanto plain where JMA is forecasting winds gusting as high as 165 to 185 km/h (100 to 115 mph). The storm will continue to move north east passing by the Kinki and Tokai region first during the early morning hours. Winds up to 180 km/h (112 mph) are expected.

Total Precipitable Water morphed composite map of West Pacific at 21:00 UTC on October 5, 2014. (Credit: SSMI/SSMIS/TMI)

Heavy rains from Phanfone are likely to bring dangerous flash flooding and mudslides. The heavy rains might also cause dangerous mudflows due erupting Mt. Ontake's ash deposits. Heaviest rainfall is expected across southern and eastern Honshu. The southern coast of Honshu, from the prefectures of Wakayama to Chiba, will experience destructive wind gusts of 160 to 195 km/h (100 to 120 mph) threaten to cause widespread and significant damage to trees and structures.

Coastal flooding will be a significant concern for southern coast of Shikoku and Honshu. Storm surge of 1 to 2 meters (3 to 6 feet) is expected along this area. Widespread rain totals of 200 to 250 mm (8 to 10 inches) are expected from eastern Shikoku to the Honshu prefecture of Fukushima, triggering widespread and life-threatening flash flooding.

JTWC forecast track (Credit: JTWC)

Strong vertical wind shear and cooler waters will continue to weaken Phanfone, however, the system will still be a very intense storm force cold-core low. As Phanfone leaves Japan, strengthening Typhoon Vongfong is a new system that could threat the islands again.

Typhoon Vongfong is currently impacting Guam.

Satellite animations

• Storm-Centered Infrared (MTSAT2; NOAA/SSD)
• Storm-Centered Infrared (Aviation Color Enhancement) (MTSAT2; NOAA/SSD)
• Storm-Centered Water Vapor (MTSAT2; NOAA/SSD)
• Storm-Centered Visible (MTSAT2; NOAA/SSD)
• Storm-Centered Visible (Colorized) (MTSAT2; NOAA/SSD)

• Storm-Centered Infrared (MTSAT2; CIMSS)
• Storm-Centered Enhanced Infrared (MTSAT2; CIMSS)
• Storm-Centered Water Vapor (MTSAT2; CIMSS)
• Storm-Centered Visible (MTSAT2; CIMSS)

• Tropical West Pacific Infrared (MTSAT2; NOAA)
• Tropical West Pacific Enhanced Infrared (MTSAT2; NOAA)
• Tropical West Pacific Water Vapor (MTSAT2; NOAA)
• Tropical West Pacific Visible (MTSAT2; NOAA)

Radar

• Tokai (JMA)
• Kinki (JMA)
• Shikoku (JMA)

Featured image: Satellite image of Typhoon Phanfone at 01:47 UTC on October 6, 2014. (Credit:WU/NASA/BlueMarble)