Tropical Storm Merbok (2004)

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Tropical Storm Merbok (Violeta)
Tropical storm (JMA scale)
Merbok 2004-11-22 0515Z.jpg
Tropical Depression Violeta prior to strengthening to a tropical storm on November 22
FormedNovember 21, 2004
DissipatedNovember 23, 2004
Highest winds10-minute sustained: 65 km/h (40 mph)
Lowest pressure1000 hPa (mbar); 29.53 inHg
Fatalities31 total, 17 missing
Damage> $253 million (2004 USD)
Areas affectedPhilippines
Part of the 2004 Pacific typhoon season

Tropical Storm Merbok, known in the Philippines as Tropical Depression Violeta, was a weak, but destructive tropical storm which worsened the situations on the Philippines that was previously affected by Typhoon Muifa (2004), just 2 days later. This is also the first tropical cyclone recognized by the Japan Meteorological Agency, but not Joint Typhoon Warning Center, since Changmi in 2002.[1] The fortieth tropical cyclone and twenty-ninth named storm of the very active 2004 Pacific typhoon season, the origins of Merbok can be traced from a disturbance in the Philippine Sea early on November 22, with the PAGASA first issuing advisories as Tropical Depression Violeta, to the east of Baler, Aurora. The JMA followed suit, assigning the name Merbok as it strengthened to a tropical storm; however, the PAGASA held the system as a tropical depression. The storm soon made landfall on the night of the same day, while gradually weakening over the high terrains of Luzon. The weakened system emerged off the northwest coast of the country before the last advisory was issued by the two agencies. The remnants moved to the northwest, before dissipating, southwest of Taiwan.

Throughout its passage, Merbok was blamed for 31 individuals killed and causing over ₱12.368 billion ($254 million) worth of damages across Luzon. Because of the damages exceeding billions, the Philippine name Violeta was retired and replaced with Vicky.[2]

Meteorological history[]

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

Tropical Storm Merbok emanated from a disturbance located in the Philippine Sea and was first recognized as Tropical Depression Violeta by PAGASA on November 22. Later that day, it developed into a tropical storm. Merbok tracked slowly towards the northwest and made landfall south of Baler on the east coast of Luzon.[3] The storm's intensity held steady at 35 kn/40 mph (its peak strength) as it ambled its way across the mountains of Luzon, finally emerging off the northwest coast late on the 23rd. By this time, Merbok had lost most or all of its deep convection, the remnants continuing slowly north-westwards before dissipating southwest of Taiwan.[4]

Preparations and impact[]

Merbok added the misery of the country, caused by the previous Typhoon Muifa (2004) that stalled near Luzon before hitting the area as a Category 1 typhoon. Violeta caused landslides across Northern and Central Luzon that destroyed over 330 houses across the region.[5] There were also reports of heavy flooding. The heaviest rainfall recorded was in Baler, peaking with 185.2 mm as the storm passed. Over 31 people died, and 187 are injured, possibly due to floods and landslides that were triggered by the storm.[3]

Aftermath and retirement[]

Less than a week after, Tropical Depression Winnie further devastated the area, with the storm becoming the 6th deadliest tropical cyclone in the country.[citation needed]

Due to the extensive damage caused by the storm, the Philippine name Violeta was retired and was replaced by Vicky; however, its international name, Merbok was not retired and was reused in subsequent seasons.[citation needed]

See also[]

References[]

  1. ^ https://www.metoc.navy.mil/jtwc/products/atcr/2004atcr.pdf
  2. ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on December 11, 2013. Retrieved December 7, 2013.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  3. ^ Jump up to: a b Gary Padgett (March 27, 2005). "Monthly Tropical Weather Summary for November 2004". Typhoon 2000. Retrieved May 21, 2010.
  4. ^ https://www.typhoon2000.ph/garyp_mgtcs/nov04sum.txt
  5. ^ Agence France-Presse (December 10, 2004). "Philippine storms dead and missing toll nears 1,600". ReliefWeb. Archived from the original on July 7, 2011. Retrieved May 21, 2010.
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