Which Typhoons Have Had the Most Severe Impact on Zhejiang in History?
TyphoonSays·防御问答 · District of Typhoon · 更新 at 2026-07-22
Zhejiang, located on the southeast coast of China with a rugged coastline, is a high-frequency area for typhoon landfalls and impacts. Looking back at history, several typhoons have left a deep impression due to their intense strength, heavy rainfall, or devastating destructive power. Understanding these "predecessors" helps us better recognize the power of typhoons and prepare for disaster prevention.
Extreme Destruction from Super Typhoons: Saomai and Lekima
When discussing strong typhoons that have affected Zhejiang, Typhoon Saomai (2006, No. 8) and Typhoon Lekima (2019, No. 9) must be mentioned. Saomai made landfall in Mazhan Town, Cangnan, Zhejiang, as a super typhoon, with maximum sustained winds near the center reaching Force 17. Characterized by fast movement and well-maintained intensity, it brought devastating wind disasters and storm surges to southern Zhejiang, causing widespread house collapses and severe damage to infrastructure.
Lekima, on the other hand, was one of the most severe typhoons to affect Zhejiang in recent years. It maintained super typhoon status upon landfall in Wenling, Zhejiang (according to the National Standard for Tropical Cyclone Grades issued by the CMA, a super typhoon has maximum sustained winds near the center of ≥ Force 16). Lekima not only brought powerful winds but also record-breaking torrential rain, leading to severe urban waterlogging and flash floods as well as geological disasters in many areas. These two typhoons remind us that when facing super typhoons, protection against both wind and rain is equally important; do not let your guard down just because the wind slightly subsides.
Typical Cases of "Wind and Rain Double Whammy": Fitow and Haikui
Some typhoons, although not at their peak intensity upon landfall, can bring persistent extreme precipitation due to their special circulation structures or interaction with cold air. Typhoon Fitow (2013, No. 23) is a typical example. After making landfall in Fuding, Fujian, its outer cloud bands combined with cold air from the north, bringing historically rare torrential rain to Ningbo and other parts of Zhejiang, resulting in severe urban flooding and huge economic losses.
Typhoon Haikui (2023, No. 11) was similar. Although it made landfall as a severe tropical storm, it moved slowly and lingered along the eastern coastal areas of Zhejiang for an extended period, triggering prolonged gales and heavy rain. Such typhoons warn us that the impact of a typhoon depends not only on the wind speed at the moment of landfall but also on the total rainfall and duration, which are key factors in causing disasters.
Scientific Defense and Warning Response
In the face of typhoon threats, scientific defensive measures are key to protecting life and property. When meteorological departments issue typhoon warning signals, the public should closely monitor official information. Typically, typhoon warnings are divided into four levels: Blue, Yellow, Orange, and Red, with Red being the highest level.
During a Red Warning, various regions usually activate the highest level of emergency response. This may include measures such as suspension of classes in primary and secondary schools, work stoppages for employers (except for special industries), and suspension of public transportation. It should be noted that standards may vary by location, so please refer to announcements from local governments. Residents should check and reinforce windows and doors in advance, clear clutter from balconies, and stock up on necessary food, drinking water, and emergency medicines. If you are in low-lying areas or near sites prone to geological hazards, follow instructions and evacuate to safe shelters in a timely manner.
Typhoon prevention is a race against time. Only by maintaining reverence and responding scientifically can we minimize losses to the greatest extent. Real-time typhoon tracks can be queried at TyphoonSays (taifengshuo.com)
This article is typhoonsay's original copy content, and the local policy standards are based on the local government's latest release.