Typhoon Haiyan, Philippines, 2013
Date: 8th November 2013
Strength: Category 4-5 typhoon on Saffir Simpson scale (super typhoon)
Wind speed: 315km/h
Storm surge: 5.2m
Paths of the typhoon: from the east of Philippines, in the Pacific Ocean, across the centre of the country and towards
northeast, first landfall taking place at Guiuan in the island of Samar- Low-lying eastern Visayas were worst hit
Number of deaths: 6300
Social impacts:
- All buildings that were not made of concrete were destroyed
- No clean water, food, or electricity in the shelter
- Transport was difficult since vehicles were overturned, and no fuel was available
- Terminal building at Tacloban airport was washed away by the storm surge
- 11 million people affected- many left homeless
Economic impacts
- The fish industry was worst impacted- in some places, 95% of the boats and equipment were lost to the storm
surge
- Farming also a major industry in Philippines that were badly affected- in Panay, destruction of thousands on
coconut trees and rice paddy fields left 10,000 farmers without incomes (also environmental)
- 90% of rural population in typhoon affected areas were small-scale farmers
- $2.2 billion costs
Environmental impacts
- Typhoon knocked over Power Barge 103 of NAPOCOR in Estancia, Iloilo causing an oil spill
Physical factors affecting the significance of this typhoon:
- Extremely low pressure creating an ideal condition for typhoon formation; very warm, deep water, and low
wind shear
, - Intense and compact system which moved unusually quickly
- The speed of the typhoon was not lost because the cold water was not brought to the surface, which would
have taken out some energy from the typhoon
- Configuration of the islands of Leyte and Cebu that funneled the storm surge straight at Tacloban, which
sits on a highland in the funnel- shallow water forced the surge higher as it approached land
- Philippines considered as 3rd most vulnerable country to global warming- increased sea surface
temperatures may have influenced the intensity of this typhoon
- 70% of the forest in Philippines have been deforested since 1940
Sign of success in mitigation/ planning/ response
- Initial death toll was 10,000 but the actual was 6300
- Disaster preparedness taken seriously in Philippines- risk reduction and resilience have been practiced for over
decades, including publication of risk maps and providing evacuation shelters, which raised awareness amongst
the public- All 1000 residents in Tulang Diyot evacuated ahead of Haiyan
- Storm warning released 1-2 days before the first landfall of this typhoon
- Military deployed planes and helicopters in advance to areas expected to be worst hit
- “Purok system’- community members agree to deposit their own money into a community to fund post disaster
management rather than waiting for government aid
- Rebuilding of 30,000 homes with higher design standards
- Lack of disease outbreaks- Red Cross main message of good hygiene and clean water prioritised in immediate
response plan
- European commissions released $4million in emergency funds
- In 2014, payments to local authorities will be authorised once particular natural disasters have been met-
allowing faster and more focused response
Sign of poor management/ mitigation
- Tacloban city convention centre became a death trap because storm surge hit whilst people were
evacuating into the building- community buildings were built for storms but there was concern that the
buildings may not be able to withstand the wind
- Governmental responses were slow immediately after the typhoon- people started to turn looting to find
food supplies
- The country faced a deadly earthquake in the previous month, and a significant typhoon in the previous
year which have lowered resilience in terms of financial, human, and material resources
Date: 8th November 2013
Strength: Category 4-5 typhoon on Saffir Simpson scale (super typhoon)
Wind speed: 315km/h
Storm surge: 5.2m
Paths of the typhoon: from the east of Philippines, in the Pacific Ocean, across the centre of the country and towards
northeast, first landfall taking place at Guiuan in the island of Samar- Low-lying eastern Visayas were worst hit
Number of deaths: 6300
Social impacts:
- All buildings that were not made of concrete were destroyed
- No clean water, food, or electricity in the shelter
- Transport was difficult since vehicles were overturned, and no fuel was available
- Terminal building at Tacloban airport was washed away by the storm surge
- 11 million people affected- many left homeless
Economic impacts
- The fish industry was worst impacted- in some places, 95% of the boats and equipment were lost to the storm
surge
- Farming also a major industry in Philippines that were badly affected- in Panay, destruction of thousands on
coconut trees and rice paddy fields left 10,000 farmers without incomes (also environmental)
- 90% of rural population in typhoon affected areas were small-scale farmers
- $2.2 billion costs
Environmental impacts
- Typhoon knocked over Power Barge 103 of NAPOCOR in Estancia, Iloilo causing an oil spill
Physical factors affecting the significance of this typhoon:
- Extremely low pressure creating an ideal condition for typhoon formation; very warm, deep water, and low
wind shear
, - Intense and compact system which moved unusually quickly
- The speed of the typhoon was not lost because the cold water was not brought to the surface, which would
have taken out some energy from the typhoon
- Configuration of the islands of Leyte and Cebu that funneled the storm surge straight at Tacloban, which
sits on a highland in the funnel- shallow water forced the surge higher as it approached land
- Philippines considered as 3rd most vulnerable country to global warming- increased sea surface
temperatures may have influenced the intensity of this typhoon
- 70% of the forest in Philippines have been deforested since 1940
Sign of success in mitigation/ planning/ response
- Initial death toll was 10,000 but the actual was 6300
- Disaster preparedness taken seriously in Philippines- risk reduction and resilience have been practiced for over
decades, including publication of risk maps and providing evacuation shelters, which raised awareness amongst
the public- All 1000 residents in Tulang Diyot evacuated ahead of Haiyan
- Storm warning released 1-2 days before the first landfall of this typhoon
- Military deployed planes and helicopters in advance to areas expected to be worst hit
- “Purok system’- community members agree to deposit their own money into a community to fund post disaster
management rather than waiting for government aid
- Rebuilding of 30,000 homes with higher design standards
- Lack of disease outbreaks- Red Cross main message of good hygiene and clean water prioritised in immediate
response plan
- European commissions released $4million in emergency funds
- In 2014, payments to local authorities will be authorised once particular natural disasters have been met-
allowing faster and more focused response
Sign of poor management/ mitigation
- Tacloban city convention centre became a death trap because storm surge hit whilst people were
evacuating into the building- community buildings were built for storms but there was concern that the
buildings may not be able to withstand the wind
- Governmental responses were slow immediately after the typhoon- people started to turn looting to find
food supplies
- The country faced a deadly earthquake in the previous month, and a significant typhoon in the previous
year which have lowered resilience in terms of financial, human, and material resources
