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Severe Tropical CyclonesTropical cyclones (TC), depending on their location and strength, are known by various terms, such as hurricane, typhoon, tropical storm, cyclonic storm, and tropical depression. From late July to mid-September 2008, 6 consecutive severe storms and hurricanes have battered the United States causing billions of dollars in damage. Four of these tropical cyclones swamped Haiti, killing hundreds of people. Gustav and Ike smashed into Cuba before veering off to the US Gulf Coast, where they took their toll on oil and gas fields. In 2005, there was an all-time record of 28 storms, the year Hurricane Katrina was spawned which devastated New Orleans and on September 18 of 2005, Rita formed. This was the 17th storm of the season and turned into a 180 mph monster, one of the strongest hurricanes in history. However, not even in 2005 did six storms in a row hit the United States. In fact, the US National Hurricane Center says that so far it has not found another year since records began in 1851 in which the United States was hit by six tropical cyclones in a row. Hurricane Gustav developed as a tropical depression in the Caribbean Sea, south of the island of Hispaniola, on August 25. The following day the storm rapidly intensified into a tropical storm, then a category one hurricane on the 26th and later made landfall in Haiti, near the city of Jacmel a week after tropical storm Fay claimed 23 lives across the Caribbean.Gustav lashed Haiti with maximum sustained winds near 148 km/hr (92 mph or 80 knots) and torrential rain, prompting deadly floods and landslides. The storm was responsible for at least 59 fatalities in Haiti and 8 in neighboring Dominican Republic and for damaging nearly 900 homes. The storm weakened into a tropical storm as it exited Haiti. Gustav, unexpectedly, tracked south toward Jamaica, lashing the island on August 28 with maximum sustained winds near 112 km/hr (70 mph or 60 knots) and pounding rains. Gustav prompted flash floods that affected about 1,500 people and claimed the lives of 11 people. On August 30, Gustav made landfall in western Cuba as a category 4 hurricane with maximum sustained winds near 240 km/hr (150 mph or 130 knots). The storm caused major flooding, damaged crops, ripped roofs off houses, uprooted trees, and caused disruptions in power and phone services. However, no fatalities where reported. By August 31, the storm moved across the Gulf of Mexico.
Tropical cyclone Kammuri developed as a tropical depression in the South China Sea on August 4. Later that same day, the depression strengthened to a tropical storm. The strongest winds Kammuri produced were 93 km/hr (57 mph or 50 knots), prior to making landfall in southern China on the 6th. The storm brought torrential rain to parts of Hong Kong, causing the disruption of air and road traffic and forcing the closure of stock markets (Xinhua). No fatalities were reported. Kammuri began to weaken as it continued its course towards northern Vietnam. The storm's remnants generated heavy downpours that triggered deadly flash floods and landslides in mountainous regions in northern Vietnam on August 9-11. It was reported that the copious rainfall prompted river water levels in the Yen Bai province to be near the record level set in 1968. Over 300 homes were destroyed, more than 4,200 buildings were flooded, and nearly 8,700 hectares (21,500 acres) of crops were washed out. According to reports, 120 fatalities were reported, with 44 others missing. The worst hit area by the tropical cyclone was the Lao Cai province, where 36 people died and 38 others were missing. It was reported that 3 out of the 11 affected provinces have preliminary estimates of 105 million U.S. dollars in total property losses.
Tropical storm Fay developed over Dominican Republic on August 15. The storm brought heavy rains across the island of Hispaniola, prompting floods that claimed the lives of 12 people. In Dominican Republic, Fay brought down trees and power lines, damaged hundred of homes, and was blamed for the lives of 5 people, whom were swept away by flood waters. Meanwhile in Haiti, a bus was swept away by a flooded river, causing the deaths of 7 people and leaving 3 others missing. Fay exited the Island of Hispaniola and tracked towards Cuba, where authorities had already evacuated residents from low-lying areas. The storm made landfall in western Cuba on August 17. No fatalities were reported. The storm was expected to become a hurricane after exiting Cuba into open waters, however it remained a dangerous tropical storm. Fay made its first landfall in Florida, over Key West, on the 18th with maximum sustained winds near 97 km/hr (60 mph or 52 knots), and then again south of Naples on the 19th. The storm dumped copious amounts of rain across parts of Florida and spawned dangerous tornadoes. It was reported that Fay left more than 93,000 residents without power, downed trees, and flooded streets.
Typhoon Nuri developed as a tropical depression in the northwestern Pacific Ocean on the 18th, reaching typhoon status that same day. The storm reached its peak intensity on August 19 2008 with maximum sustained winds near 176 km/hr (109 mph or 95 knots). On August 20, Nuri made landfall in the northeastern tip of Cagayan province, located in northern Luzon, in the Philippines Islands. The storm battered the region with maximum sustained winds near 140 km/hr (87 mph or 76 knots) and heavy rain. The torrential downpours triggered deadly landslides and floods that killed 7 people. As Nuri tracked towards southeastern China, the storm weakened, losing its typhoon status.
Typhoon Fengshen developed in the western Pacific Ocean, east of the Philippine Islands, on June 18. The storm strengthened to typhoon intensity by the 19th, but reached its peak intensity on the 20th with maximum sustained winds near 148 km/hr (92 mph or 80 knots). That same day, Fengshen made landfall in the eastern Philippine island of Samar. The storm brought heavy rain and strong winds, causing widespread floods and landslides that left 224 people dead and 374 others missing. According to reports, the province of Iloilo received a total of 354 mm (14 inches) of rain in a 24-hour period on June 20. Fengshen slowly moved towards the northwest, lashing Manila on the 22nd. The ferocious storm also capsized a ferry, with 865 passengers and crew on board, near the Sibuyan island. As of June 25, 48 passengers were found alive and nearly 60 corpses were found. It has been reported that this could be Philippines' worst maritime disaster since 1987. The storm weakened to a tropical storm on the 23rd and on June 25, Fengshen made a second landfall in China's southeastern coast. The storm prompted the closure of schools, disrupted air traffic, and caused several landslides across the region.
Tropical Cyclone Nargis the most devastating cyclone to strike Asia since 1991, developed in the Bay of Bengal on April 27. Prior to making landfall in Burma (Myanmar) on May 2, the cyclone intensified to a very severe cyclonic storm (equivalent to a category 4 in the Saffir-Simpson scale) with peak winds near 213 km/hr (132 mph or 115 knots). Nargis, the first tropical cyclone to strike Burma (Myanmar) since Cyclone Mala in 2006 and the first cyclone to develop in the Bay of Bengal since Cyclone Sidr, swept through the Irrawaddy delta region and Yangon, the country's largest city. The storm brought heavy rain, strong winds, and a 3.7 meter (12 foot) storm surge, resulting in the worst disaster ever in the country. The cyclone destroyed thousands of homes and left thousands without power. According to early reports, the cyclone left nearly 78,000 people dead and almost 56,000 missing, but it has also been reported that the death toll may eventually exceed 100,000.
Typhoon Neoguri, the season's earliest and perhaps the strongest typhoon to strike China since 1949, developed in the South China Sea on the 15th April 2008, rapidly intensifying to attain typhoon strength by the 16th. The typhoon reached its peak intensity on April 18 with maximum sustained winds near 176 km/hr (109 mph or 95 knots). As Neoguri approached China, more than 120,000 people were evacuated from Hainan, while nearly 3,000 people were stranded on the island as the storm forced the cancellations of multiple flights. Hainan saw heavy rains that prompted flash floods across low-lying areas. Neoguri weakened to a tropical storm prior to making landfall in the province of Guangdong in southern China. Three fatalities were attributed to the storm. Torrential rains produced by the storm caused a mudslide that killed 2 people and strong winds blew an aluminum sheet that killed another person. According to reports, 40 fishermen were missing.
Tropical cyclone Ivan developed as a depression northeast of the island of Madagascar on the 7th February 2008. As it moved closer to the island of Madagascar, Ivan attained intense tropical storm strength on the 16th with maximum sustained winds near 213 km/hr (132 mph or 115 knots). Ivan made landfall on Madagascar on the 17th, where it rapidly weakened due to the rugged terrain of the island. There were more than 320,000 people affected and 83 fatalities with 117 others missing. According to reports, Ivan was one of the strongest topical cyclones ever to hit Madagascar. 
Tropical Cyclone Sidr hit the southwest coast of Bangladesh on November 15 2007, killing at least 1,723 people. Along the coast, 150 mph winds flung small ferries ashore like toy boats, cutting off migrant fishing communities who live on and around hundreds of tiny islands across the area's web of river channels. An estimated 2.7 million people were affected and 773,000 houses were damaged, according to the Ministry of Disaster Management. Roughly 250,000 head of cattle and poultry perished, and crops were destroyed on nearly 77,450 acres of land. The full picture of the devastation is still unclear as the storm wreaked havoc on the country's electricity and telephone lines, affecting even areas that were spared a direct hit. Sidr spawned a 4-foot storm surge that swept through low-lying areas and some offshore islands, leaving them under water.
Typhoon Fitow developed in the western Pacific Ocean on August 28 2007. Fitow reached peak intensity on September 3 with maximum sustained winds near 98 mph (157 km/hr or 85 knots). On September 6 2007, Fitow made landfall as a tropical storm southwest of Tokyo, Japan, becoming the strongest typhoon to hit Tokyo since October 2002. The typhoon left tens of thousands of residents without power, killed at least 2 people, left 40 others injured, and brought heavy rain that surpassed rainfall records in many parts of Tokyo.
Typhoon Man-Yi developed as a depression in the western Pacific Ocean on the 8th July 2007, reaching typhoon intensity by the 10th. Early morning on the 13th, Man-Yi made landfall in the southern island of Okinawa with maximum sustained winds near 100 mph (160 km/hr or 86 knots). The strong winds left more than 60,000 people without power.
Tropical Cyclone Yemyin (03B) developed as a depression in the Bay of Bengal on the 21st June 2007 and made landfall in India's southern state, Andhra Pradesh, on the 22nd. Yemyin (03B) brought heavy rain in the southern parts of India, leaving Andhra Pradesh over 10 inches (254 mm) of rain. The cyclone was responsible for at least 150 deaths mainly due to floodings and collapsing houses. After crossing over India, Yemyin (03B) moved into the Arabian Sea and began moving towards the northwest. On June 26, the cyclone intensified and maximum sustained winds reached 93 km/hr (50 knots or 58 mph) prior to its second landfall in southwestern Pakistan. The cyclone was responsible for at least 21 fatalities in the Baluchistan province. Meanwhile in Afghanistan, Yemyin (03B) produced heavy rainfall which prompted floods that were responsible for 56 deaths and left thousands of people homeless.
Tropical Cyclone Gonu, an unusual strong tropical cyclone, developed in the eastern part of the Arabian Sea on June 1st 2007. The cyclone made landfall in Oman on the 6th with maximum sustained winds near 148 km/hr (80 knots or 92 mph). A few days prior to landfall, Gonu had intensified to a powerful super cyclonic storm with maximum sustained winds near 260 km/hr (140 knots or 162 mph) on the 5th, becoming the first documented super cyclone in the Arabian Sea and tied for the strongest cyclone in the North Indian Ocean. After making landfall in Oman, Gonu moved through the Gulf of Oman making a second landfall in Iran. Tropical Cyclone Gonu affected more than 20,000 people and was responsible for 49 fatalities and 27 missing people in Oman. Gonu brought heavy rainfall which caused floods and landslides. Overall damages in Oman were estimated to be over 1 billion U.S. dollars. Meanwhile in Iran 5 fatalities were reported and 9 people were still missing. Tropical cyclones as strong as Gonu are rare in the Arabian Sea.
Tropical Cyclone Akash developed in the Bay of Bengal on the 13 May 2007. The cyclone made landfall near the Bangladesh-Myanmar border on the morning of the 15th with maximum sustained winds near 120 km/hr (65 knots or 75 mph). Akash triggered a 1.2 meter (4 foot) tidal surge which affected coastal areas of Bangladesh and Myanmar. The cyclone destroyed crops, damaged hundreds of homes, and was responsible for at least one death with 100 others missing.
Tropical Cyclone George developed in the Timor Sea as a depression on the 3rd March 2007, crossing the northern tip of Western Australia on the 4th of March. George re-emerged into the open waters of the Indian Ocean on the 5th and made landfall on the 8th just east of Port Hedland in Western Australia with maximum sustained winds near 205 km/hr (110 knots or 125 mph). George generated heavy rainfall along its course, with 394 mm (15.5) inches or rain reported in Darwin during the storm's formative stages. The cyclone was the most destructive cyclone to affect Port Hedland since Joan in 1975, and resulted in 3 deaths and 28 injuries in Western Australia.
Tropical Cyclone Jacob developed in the southern Indian Ocean on the 7th march 2007, reaching the coast of Western Australia on the 12th. Jacob made landfall just east of Port Hedland with maximum sustained winds near 75 km/hr (40 knots or 45 mph). Heavy rainfall was the primary impact from the storm.
Tropical Cyclone Indlala developed in the southern Indian Ocean on the 12th of March 2007 and reached the northeastern coast of Madagascar on the 15th. Indlala made landfall just south of Antalaha with maximum sustained winds near 195 km/hr (105 knots or 120 mph). Indlala was the fourth tropical cyclone in as many months to affect Madagascar. There were at least 30 fatalities from the storm and thousands were left homeless.
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