East China Sea: Typhoon Hinnamnor tracking north-northeastward in East China Sea evening Sept. 5 /update 8

Event

Typhoon Hinnamnor is tracking north-northeastward over the East China Sea the evening of Sept. 5. As of 18:00 JST, the system's center of circulation was approximately 557 km (346 miles) southwest of Busan, South Korea.

Forecast models indicate that the storm will weaken slightly as it moves further northeastward across the East China Sea and make a close approach to South Korea's Jeju Province, with a landfall in South Gyeongsang Province early Sept. 6. After traversing southeastern South Korea, Hinnamnor is forecast to exit into the Sea of Japan and make another landfall as a tropical storm over Russia's Primorsky Krai early Sept. 7. Some uncertainty remains in the track and intensity forecast, and significant changes could occur in the coming days.

The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) has warned of strong winds, rough seas, heavy rainfall, and thunderstorms over western Japan, especially in Kyushu, through at least Sept. 6. Waves of 10-12 meters (23-39 feet) in height are forecast in Kyushu Sept. 6, with smaller waves across the rest of western Japan. Storm surge is possible in parts of western Japan through Sept. 6. Through 18:00 Sept. 6, 30 cm (12 inches) of rainfall are forecast in the Shikoku region and southern Kyushu, 25 cm (10 inches) in northern Kyushu, 15 cm (6 inches) in Kinki region, 12 cm (5 inches) in Chugoku region, 10 cm (4 inches) in Amami region, and 8 cm (3 inches) in Tokai region. Heavy rainfall associated with the storm system and other meteorological disturbances is also forecast across much of western and southern Japan into at least early Sept. 7.

As of the evening Sept. 5, the JMA has issued purple storm surge warnings (the highest level on a three-tier scale) across Nagasaki Prefecture. Red storm and high wave warnings are in place across most of western Japan.

The China Meteorological Administration has issued a yellow-level typhoon warning (the second-lowest level on a four-tier scale); strong winds are likely in the East China Sea and surrounding coastal waters.

The Korea Meteorological Administration has issued a typhoon warning for Jeju Province and the surrounding waters and a typhoon advisory for southern South Korea. Total rainfall accumulations of more than 20 cm (8 inches) are forecast across most of the country.

Officials will likely update and extend the coverage of the relevant weather alerts over the coming days as the system progresses.

Japan Airlines (JL) has warned that irregular flight operations, including the partial or total cancellation of scheduled flights, at airports across western Japan. The airline has canceled all flights at Tokunoshima (TKN), Okinoerabu (OKE), Yakushima (KUM), and Kikai (KKX) airports Sept. 5 and at Oki Airport (OKI) Sept. 6. Some flights at other airports in western Japan are canceled Sept. 5-6.

All Nippon Airways (NH) has also warned that flight disruptions, including delays, cancellations, and diversions, are possible at airports across western Japan through Sept. 6. Some flights at Goto-Fukue Airport (FUJ) are canceled Sept. 5-6.

Korean Air (KE) and Asiana Airlines (OZ) have canceled flights at Jeju International Airport (CJU) Sept. 5. Air Seoul (RS) and Jin Air (LJ) have also canceled some flights. Further flight disruptions are likely to affect Japanese and Korean carriers as the storm progresses.

Authorities in Japan have suspended the Kyushu Shinkansen between Hakata and Kumamoto stations and have reduced the number of trains between Kumamoto and Kagoshima Chuo stations Sept. 6. The Sanyo Shinkansen is suspended between Hiroshima and Hakata stations through at least the evening of Sept. 6 while the number of trains between Shin-Osaka and Hiroshima stations is also reduced Sept. 6.

Authorities have issued evacuation orders for portions of Fukuoka, Kagoshima, Kochi, Kumamoto, Miyazaki, Nagasaki, Niigata, Oita, Okinawa, Saga, Tokushima, and Yamaguchi prefectures in Japan. Reports indicate that more than 200 people in Busan City, South Korea, and the surrounding areas have been evacuated.

Authorities in Shanghai have suspended ferry services while Wenzhou suspended all classes Sept. 5. Several businesses across western Japan and southern South Korea have suspended operations from late Sept. 5 in advance of the typhoon.

Reports indicate that at least 29 structures have been damaged in Ishikawa, Mie, Nara, Okinawa, Osaka, and Toyama prefectures in Japan.

Sustained heavy rainfall could trigger flooding in low-lying areas and those with easily overwhelmed drainage systems. Localized evacuations, flash flooding, and landslides are possible if weather conditions prove hazardous.

The inclement weather could trigger localized business, transport, and utility disruptions, rendering some bridges or roadways impassable. Flight disruptions at regional airports and temporary closures of ports are also possible. Raw sewage and other hazardous materials mixed with floodwaters pose a serious health threat.

Advice

Activate contingency plans in areas where officials forecast typhoon or tropical storm conditions. Heed any evacuation orders that may be issued. Use extreme caution in low-lying coastal areas and near streams, creeks, and other waterways due to the potential for severe flooding and storm surge. Stockpile water, batteries, and other essentials in advance. Charge battery-powered devices when electricity is available; restrict the use of cellular phones to emergencies only. Power down mobile devices when not in use. Keep important documents and necessary medications in waterproof containers. Observe strict food and water precautions, as municipalities could issue boil water advisories following flooding events. Take precautions against insect- and waterborne diseases in the coming weeks.

Plan accordingly for protracted commercial, transport, and logistics disruptions in areas in the path of the storm, especially if vital infrastructure is damaged. Seek updated information on road conditions before driving or routing shipments through areas where flooding has occurred. Confirm flights before checking out of hotels or driving to the airport; clearing passenger backlogs may take several days in some locations.

Resources

Joint Typhoon Warning Center
Japan Meteorological Agency
China Meteorological Administration
Korea Meteorological Administration