Which Typhoons Have Caused the Most Severe Impact on Jiangsu in History?
TyphoonSays·防御问答 · Regional Typhoons · 更新 at 2026-10-18
Although Jiangsu is not a frequent landfall zone for typhoons, its unique geographical location often makes it a "hard-hit area" for typhoon-related disasters. With a long and narrow coastline bordering the Yellow Sea to the north and the East China Sea to the south, Jiangsu frequently falls within the core impact area of typhoon circulation from July to September each year, especially when typhoons move northward along the Zhejiang coast or make landfall in the Zhejiang-Shanghai region. Notably, the threat to Jiangsu comes not only from direct hits but also from the "remote heavy rainfall" effect—when residual typhoon circulation combines with cold air from the north, it often triggers extreme precipitation within the province. This hidden hazard can sometimes be more destructive than strong winds.
Review of Typical Historical Cases
In recent years, several typhoons have significantly impacted Jiangsu, each with distinct disaster characteristics:
- 2012 Typhoon HAIKUI: After making landfall in Xiangshan, Zhejiang on August 8, it moved deep inland and turned northward. Affected by the system, southeastern Jiangsu experienced gale-force winds and heavy rain. Cities like Suzhou and Nantong saw widespread tree fallouts and severe urban waterlogging, causing temporary traffic paralysis.
- 2018 Typhoon RUMBIA: Although it made landfall in Pudong, Shanghai, only as a tropical storm, it transported an abundant amount of moisture. Daily precipitation in places like Funing, Yancheng, Jiangsu, broke historical records, triggering rare torrential rains. This resulted in significant damage to houses, power outages, and immense pressure on emergency rescue operations.
- 2019 Typhoon LEKIMA: After making landfall in Wenling, Zhejiang on August 10, it moved northward slowly. Extreme heavy rainfall occurred in northern Jiangsu, including Xuzhou and Suqian. Some small and medium-sized rivers exceeded warning levels, leading to severe water accumulation in both urban and rural areas, demonstrating the profound impact of northward-moving typhoons on inland regions.
- 2021 Typhoon IN-FA: This typhoon moved extremely slowly, making landfall in Zhoushan and Pinghu, Zhejiang, respectively, and lingering for an extended period. Compounded by astronomical high tides, areas along and south of the Yangtze River in Jiangsu faced a dual assault of persistent strong winds, heavy rain, and high water levels, creating a severe situation for flood and typhoon prevention.
Key Prevention Focus and Response Recommendations
Given that typhoon disasters in Jiangsu are often characterized by "weak winds but heavy rain" or the convergence of wind, rain, and storm surges, the public should pay close attention to the following risks:
- Beware of Extreme Precipitation: Even if the typhoon center is far away, guard against continuous heavy rain and flooding caused by the system, especially in low-lying areas and underground spaces.
- Guard Against Storm Surges: Coastal and riverside areas must pay special attention to the risk of seawater backflow during astronomical high tides and reinforce sea dikes and embankments.
- Monitor Warnings Dynamically: Typhoon paths are variable; defensive measures should be adjusted according to the latest warning signals issued by meteorological departments. For specific control measures such as school suspensions, work stoppages, and transport halts, please refer to announcements from local governments.
To cope with typhoon threats, stockpiling supplies in advance and checking windows, doors, and drainage facilities are key basic protective measures. Do not wade through water blindly, and stay away from billboards and temporary structures. For the latest typhoon updates, real-time track forecasts, and professional disaster prevention information, please visit TaifengSays (taifengshuo.com).
This article is original educational content from TyphoonSays. Please refer to the latest official announcements from local governments for policy standards.