⌛ Saffir - Simpson Scale & Super Typhoon MEGI

With the current typhoon MEGI classified as a Super Typhoon, few people know what this really is. The Super Typhoon description was applied by the US Joint Typhoon Warning Center in Pearl Harbour. It calls a Super Typhoon any Saffir - Simpson category four or five storm. Not much help for Filipinos, eh?

I first started tracking MEGI when it was forecast to land as a SS cat four. It actually became a Cat five. Here's what that means:

[FONT=&quot]"Category Five Hurricane ([/FONT][FONT=&quot]Sustained winds greater than 155 mph, greater than 135 kt, or greater than 249 km/hr).
[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Catastrophic damage will occur[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]People, livestock, and pets are at very high risk of injury or death from flying or falling debris, even if indoors in mobile homes or framed homes. Almost complete destruction of all mobile homes will occur, regardless of age or construction. A high percentage of frame homes will be destroyed, with total roof failure and wall collapse. Extensive damage to roof covers, windows, and doors will occur. Large amounts of windborne debris will be lofted into the air. Windborne debris damage will occur to nearly all unprotected windows and many protected windows. Significant damage to wood roof commercial buildings will occur due to loss of roof sheathing. Complete collapse of many older metal buildings can occur. Most unreinforced masonry walls will fail which can lead to the collapse of the buildings. A high percentage of industrial buildings and low-rise apartment buildings will be destroyed. Nearly all windows will be blown out of high-rise buildings resulting in falling glass, which will pose a threat for days to weeks after the storm. Nearly all commercial signage, fences, and canopies will be destroyed. Nearly all trees will be snapped or uprooted and power poles downed. Fallen trees and power poles will isolate residential areas. Power outages will last for weeks to possibly months. Long-term water shortages will increase human suffering. Most of the area will be uninhabitable for weeks or months. Hurricane Andrew (1992) is an example of a hurricane that brought Category 5 winds and impacts to coastal portions of Cutler Ridge, Florida with Category 4 conditions experienced elsewhere in south Miami-Dade County.[/FONT]"


[FONT=&quot]Of note is the phrase[/FONT][FONT=&quot] "Catastrophic damage will occur". [/FONT][FONT=&quot]Not might or could but will. Hurricane ANDREW, which hit Florida resulted in the complete destruction of Homestead Air Force Base (since rebuilt as a reserve base). Homes of bamboo and neepa will simply evaporate[/FONT]

 

Surfs up! I flew out of Manila late Sunday 10/17 and missed it! :D

 

For aerodynamics,any winds over 150 miles an hour will lift a not so over wieght man fully off the ground if it catches his widest surface area,,heavy aircraft rely on 150 to 165 mph speed to take off because that is the threshhold for wieght to surface area ratios common in heavy aircraft and the range of maximum free fall where wind resistance lets you fall no more,so when its the wind falling against you at 150 miles an hour you will go up,now the heavy overwieght people will survive as the fitest after all...

 

Now that the danger is mainly passed, here is a link to an excellent summary of Typhoon MEGI:

Typhoon Megi (2010) - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Once butt was kicked at PAGASA, that agency started to take its responsibilities more seriously. The minimal loss of life was no doubt due, in part, to an excellent display of prudence and common sense by agencies whose past performance has been lacking. Well done!