Taiwan Strait: Typhoon Gaemi tracking west-northwestward across the Taiwan Strait early July 25 /update 7

Typhoon Gaemi, known in the Philippines as Carina, is tracking west-northwestward across the Taiwan Strait early July 25, following landfall near Yilan County, Taiwan, late July 24. As of 11:00 CST, the system's center of circulation was approximately 131 km (82 miles) west of Taipei, Taiwan.

Forecast models indicate that the system will make landfall as a weak typhoon over Fujian Province, China, in the late afternoon or early evening of July 25. After landfall, Gaemi is likely to weaken into a tropical storm as it tracks northwestward over Fujian Province through early July 26 before weakening further into a tropical depression over Jiangxi Province through July 26 and then dissipating as it moves over eastern Hubei Province early July 27. Some uncertainty remains in the track and intensity forecast, and significant changes could occur in the coming days.

As of early July 25, the Taiwan Central Weather Administration maintains red typhoon warnings across Taiwan. A purple extremely torrential rain advisory (the highest level on a four-tier scale) has been issued over much of central and southern Taiwan, and red, orange, and yellow heavy rain advisories have been issued across the rest of Taiwan. Strong wind advisories have been issued across all coastal areas of Taiwan.

The China Meteorological Administration (CMA) has issued a red typhoon warning (the highest level on a three-tier scale) advising strong winds are expected in seas off the southeastern coast and in coastal areas of Fujian and southern Zhejiang provinces. Heavy-to-torrential rainfall of 25-50 cm (10-20 inches) is expected over most of Fujian, eastern Guangdong, and southern Zhejiang provinces through early July 26.

The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) has issued a weather bulletin warning of winds gusting up to 126 kph (78 mph), daily rainfall totals of up to 25 cm (10 inches), and waves up to 12 meters (39 feet) across parts of Okinawa Prefecture July 25. The JMA has issued red high wave warnings (the second highest level on a three-tier scale) for the Sakishima Islands in Okinawa Prefecture.

Authorities in Taiwan have reported three weather-related fatalities and more than 220 others injured as the storm approached July 24. Officials have evacuated more than 8,500 people across at-risk areas of the country. All domestic and hundreds of international flights have been canceled July 24-25. Authorities have suspended all ferry services connecting Taitung and Green, Orchid, and Xiaoliuqiu islands July 23-25. Train services between Alishan and Chiayi stations have been suspended from July 23, while services within the Alishan Recreation Area have been halted July 24-25. Taiwan suspended parts of its annual Han Kuang war games in advance of the storm. Financial markets, schools, and offices closed July 24-25 across most of Taiwan. More than 320,000 households were without power at the height of the storm; as of late July 24, more than 53,000 people remain without power.

All Nippon Airways (NH) canceled flights connecting Naha Airport (OKA) with New Ishigaki Airport (ISG), while Japan Airlines (JL) canceled some flights at Naha(OKA), Kumejima (UEO), Miyako (MMY), Tarama (TRA), New Ishigaki (ISG), and Yonaguni (OGN) airports July 25.

Authorities in Fujian Province in mainland China have suspended several train services July 25 ahead of the storm's approach. The Fujian Maritime Safety Administration has launched a Level I emergency response, the highest alert, in anticipation of Gaemi's arrival. Ports have been closed, and vessels have been ordered to return to shore.

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

Inclement weather could trigger localized business, transport, and utility disruptions, rendering some bridges or roadways impassable. Flight disruptions at regional airports and temporary port closures are also possible. Exposure to raw sewage and other hazardous materials mixed with floodwaters poses a serious health threat.