No damage or disruption to semiconductor production in Taiwan
Read Updates on Typhoon Gaemi (Carina)
Typhoon Gaemi Makes Landfall in Taiwan, Flooding in Philippines
Typhoon Gaemi (Carina in the Philippines) made its first landfall on the central eastern coast of Taiwan over the Nan’ao Township in Yilan County. Landfall occurred around midnight on Wednesday, July 25 local time. According to the Central Weather Administration (CWA) of Taiwan, Typhoon Gaemi brought maximum sustained winds of 125 mph (205 km/h). These wind speeds are equivalent to a Category 3 hurricane.
Gaemi weakened over Taiwan to a Category 1-equivalent storm. According to the Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC), Gaemi made a second landfall in mainland China’s Putian, Fijian Province at 7:50 p.m. local time, with wind speeds around 69 mph (111 km/h). Catastrophic winds are not a significant concern, but rainfall induced flooding inland of the point of landfall is possible.
Shortly before landfall in Taiwan, Typhoon Gaemi turned southwest then northwest as the front of the storm system interacted with the mountainous terrain of island. This phenomenon is not uncommon and resulted in a slightly weaker storm at landfall. However, the loop in the storm’s path meant that Typhoon Gaemi spent more time overland and brought more rainfall and a higher chance of flooding.
Reports of severe flooding in Kaohsiung City on the southwestern coast of Taiwan show submerged vehicles and flood waters partially inundating the first-floor level of buildings. According to the CWA, over 1 meter of rain fell in Kaohsiung.
The weather station at the Taipei Songshan Airport recorded a maximum wind gust of 53 mph (85 km/h). Modern construction practices and building code requirements in Taipei should be strong enough to mitigate any severe wind damage.
Damage in the capital city of Taipei, where insurance penetration is the greatest, is going to predominantly influence the final Typhoon Gaemi insured loss totals.
No reports of damage or interruption to semiconductor production reported at Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) due to Typhoon Gaemi.
The Philippines Feels Gaemi’s Ripple Effects
During its journey toward Taiwan, Typhoon Gaemi brought tropical storm-force winds and heavy rainfall to the Philippines, which resulted in catastrophic flooding in Manila. Reports from the Philippines show that Typhoon Gaemi’s winds capsized an industrial fuel tanker anchored in Manila Bay, causing an extensive oil spill. Efforts to hold the spill are ongoing.
Typhoon Gaemi Approaches Taiwan, Mainland China
Typhoon Gaemi (Carina) is likely to be the first tropical cyclone of the 2024 season to impact the island of Taiwan.
According to the Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC) warning #16, Typhoon Gaemi will make landfall over northeastern Taiwan on Wednesday, July 24 after 8 p.m. local time (12 p.m. UTC) (Figure 1).
Forecasters estimate Typhoon Gaemi will have maximum sustained winds of 126 mph (204 km/h) with gusts at higher speeds. This forecast makes this storm equivalent to a strong Category 3.
According to the Taiwanese Central Weather Administration (CWA), there is a strong wind advisory for nearly the entire Taiwanese coastline. The CWA forecast indicates torrential rain (more than 350 millimeters in 24 hours or 200 millimeters in 3 hours) in Yilan County and extremely heavy rain across much of central and eastern Taiwan.
Pre-Landfall Proxy Events
Requires Asia Typhoon Model RQE License
The mountainous terrain of Taiwan should interact with Typhoon Gaemi and weaken the storm before it enters the Taiwan Strait and makes a second landfall in eastern China. Currently, forecasts show Typhoon Gaemi will still be hurricane-strength by the time it makes landfall in mainland China.
Taiwan Semiconductor Fabs Impact
Taiwan leads the globe in semiconductor chip manufacturing with facilities operating along the west coast from Taipei to Tainan.
A major impact to plant facilities or shipping networks could have a significant global impact since technology companies use the chips produced in Taiwanese facilities across a range of products from computers to vehicles.
However, Taiwan is accustomed to typhoon activity. Last year, Typhoon Koinu (Typhoon Jenny in the Philippines) made landfall over southern Taiwan as a Category 4 storm before weakening to a Category 2-equivalent storm.
Future Updates for Typhoon Gaemi
CoreLogic Hazard HQ Command Central™ will continue to monitor Typhoon Gaemi and its impact in Taiwan and mainland China. A post-landfall update will be provided after the typhoon moves inland over China.
Contact: Please email [email protected] with questions about Typhoon Gaemi or any CoreLogic event response notifications. Please visit www.hazardhq.com for updates and information on catastrophes across the globe.
Pre-Landfall Proxy Events
Requires Asia Typhoon Model RQE License
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