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Tropical Storm Utor (2001)
Severe Tropical Storm Utor, known in the Philippines as Typhoon Feria, was a large and deadly system that caused heavy rains and landslides throughout the Philippines, Taiwan, and China.[1][2] The eighth tropical depression and fourth named storm of the 2001 Pacific typhoon season, Utor formed on July 1 and intensified into a tropical storm shortly after. Utor was upgraded to a typhoon by the JTWC on July 3, and a day later, Utor was estimated to have peaked with 10-min winds of 110 km/h (70 mph), with the JTWC estimating 1-min winds of 150 km/h (95 mph). After passing just north of Luzon, Utor began to weaken, before making landfall on the district of Dapeng as a minimal typhoon. Utor caused 203 deaths, of which 168 were in the Philippines, 23 were in the province of Guangdong, 10 were in the province of Guangxi, and 2 were in Taiwan. Total damages from the storm amounted to $2.78 billion. Meteorological history Map key Tropical depression (≤38 mph, ≤62 km/h) Tropical storm (39–73 mph, 63–118 km/h) Category 1 (74–95 mph, 119–153 km/h) Category 2 (96–110 mph, 154–177 km/h) Category 3 (111–129 mph, 178–208 km/h) Category 4 (130–156 mph, 209–251 km/h) Category 5 (≥157 mph, ≥252 km/h) Unknown Storm type  Extratropical cyclone, remnant low, tropical disturbance, or monsoon depressionAt 21:30 UTC on June 26, the Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC) began monitoring a system in the Western Pacific Ocean. On June 29 at 12:30 UTC, the JTWC issued a Tropical Cyclone Formation Alert (TCFA) on the system.[2] The system continued moving to the southwest and on July 1 at 0:00 UTC both the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) and the JTWC upgraded the system to a tropical storm, with the JMA giving it the name Utor.[3] Shortly after being named, Utor abruptly turned to the north, passing just west of the island of Yap. On the next day at 6:00 UTC, Utor entered the Philippine Area of Responsibility and was named Feria by the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), which also began issuing advisories.[4] Utor steered northwestward as it was gradually strengthening, being upgraded to a typhoon by the JTWC east of Luzon on July 3.[3] The JMA followed suit, upgrading it to a severe tropical storm.[5] Utor continued to strengthen as it continued northwestward, and on July 4, Utor made its closest approach to the island of Luzon, peaking in the process with 10-min winds of 110 km/h (70 mph), with the JTWC estimating 1-min winds of 150 km/h (95 mph).[5][2] Utor developed a ragged eye during peak intensity, with the island of Calayan being in the eye.[2][3] After peak intensity, Utor slowed down slightly, beginning to weaken as it approached the Chinese province of Guangdong. On July 6 at 0:00 UTC, Utor made landfall on the district of Dapeng as a minimal typhoon, quickly weakening over land. 18 hours later, the JTWC issued its final warning on the system, and the JMA followed suit not long after.[2] Utor dissipated over the autonomous region of Guangxi.[1] ImpactsPhilippinesUtor, while not a very strong storm, brought heavy rain causing many landslides and flooding throughout the countries it affected. Almost 1 million people spread out over 20 provinces in the Philippines were affected by the typhoon, with thousands of houses being destroyed or damaged.[2] Effects and impacts from Utor in the Philippines amounted to greater than $37 million (2001 USD) in damage, as well as causing at least 168 fatalities.[6][3] At least 17 landslides occurred throughout the Philippines.[3] In Baguio, rainfall from Utor set a new 24-hour rain record.[3] Due to the effects of the storm, on August 13, President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo declared a state of calamity in the Ilocos Region and in the Cordillera Administrative Region.[7] Hong Kong and ChinaDuring Utor's passage, a 980 hPa reading was recorded in Hong Kong.[3] 87 flights were canceled and 402 more were delayed due to the storm on July 6 in Hong Kong, with crops, roads, power lines, and other infrastructure in Guangdong being heavily damaged.[8][9] A total of 23 people were killed and damages in Guandong amounted to ¥6.7 billion (US$813 million) (2001 USD).[1][3] In Guangxi, economic losses were estimated at ¥16 billion (US$1.93 billion) (2001 USD), with 10 people being killed and another 6,850 people injured.[3] In Nanning, the Yong River rose to 5.4 meters above its danger level, the highest it has reached in 50 years.[3] TaiwanAgricultural losses in Taiwan amounted to NT$68 million (US$2 thousand) (2001 USD). 2 people were killed and 6 were injured due to torrential rains and strong winds.[1] See alsoReferences
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