Typhoon Soulik to Devastate Northern Taiwan

July 11,2013; 3:57AM,EDT

 

 

 

 

Typhoon Soulik has approached super typhoon status (winds of greater than 150 mph) at times as it barrels westward on a track to northern Taiwan and mainland China.
The highest winds of Soulik have backed off, somewhat, to between 130 and 135 mph with gusts over 160 mph. The latest storm movement is toward the west at 14 mph.
The dangerous storm is expected to hold its potentially devastating strength, or slightly strengthen, over the next day or so before weakening a bit as it nears Taiwan. A potential landfall on northern Taiwan could happen Friday afternoon.
Meanwhile, Thursday afternoon and night, local time, the Japanese island of Okinawa will get into squally showers from the outer bands of Soulik.
Weakening aside, Typhoon Soulik will not spare northern Taiwan from life-threatening wind, rain and tide. Winds near the coasts of northern Taiwan as well as the southern Ryukyu Islands could gust as high as 120 or 130 mph. Winds in the major city of Taipei could top 75 mph, with potential serious structural damage.
Water levels along coastal locations are expected to become life-threatening and capable of extensive damage to structures on the beach. Water levels will rise as high as 8-16 feet above normal high tide level, with the highest levels found in bays and lagoons that curve inland.
Credit: U.S. Navy
Rainfall will generally range from 4-8 inches across most areas, but in the higher terrain of Taiwan, rainfall amounts could top 1-2 feet, generating flash flooding and mudslides.
East-central China, in particular the provinces of Fujian and Zhejiang, will be at risk of damaging winds and flooding rain on Saturday. The result of a major hit on these provinces is potentially devastating, as this is one of the most populous regions of the world, home to over 90 million people. The worst of Soulik seems set to track south of Shanghai, one of the most populous cities in the world.
Soulik is expected to make landfall on Saturday afternoon in northern Fujian or perhaps southernmost Zhejiang province between the cities of Fuzhou and Wenzhou.
If not significantly weakened in its interaction with mountainous Taiwan, Soulik could still pack enough punch to deliver winds to of about 100 mph near its expected landfall in China.
Rainfall amounts of 5-10 inches will be widespread along the direct storm track these eastern provinces of China, as well as easternmost Jiangxi province farther inland. Local amounts over 1 foot are also possible.