Which Typhoons Have Caused the Most Severe Impact on Zhejiang in History?
TyphoonSays·防御问答 · Regional Typhoons · 更新 at 2026-10-18
As a high-frequency zone for typhoon landfalls and impacts, Zhejiang has historically faced numerous extreme weather events. Reviewing these typical cases is not only to remember the disasters but also to extract more precise disaster prevention logic from the dual dimensions of "wind" and "rain."
Extreme Winds and Storm Surges: Warnings from Saomai and Lekima
Looking back at history, Super Typhoon "Saomai" in 2006 and Typhoon "Lekima" in 2019 represent the peak of wind damage. "Saomai" made landfall in Mazhan Town, Cangnan, with Category 17 winds. Its characteristics included rapid movement and excellent intensity maintenance, causing devastating blows to coastal infrastructure in southern Zhejiang through storm surges and gales. "Lekima," on the other hand, made landfall in Wenling as a super typhoon (maximum sustained winds near the center ≥ Category 16). Not only was its wind powerful, but its massive circulation also brought record-breaking torrential rains, leading to severe urban waterlogging and mountain flood geological disasters. These two events profoundly reveal a fact: when facing super typhoons, while wind protection is the primary task, secondary disasters caused by them often have lagging and hidden nature. Do not let your guard down just because the wind briefly weakens.
The "Double Whammy" of Wind and Rain and the Stagnation Effect: Lessons from Fitow and Haikui
Not all typhoons causing huge losses rely on peak wind strength. Although Typhoon "Fitow" in 2013 made landfall in Fujian, its outer cloud bands combined with northern cold air to bring historically rare extreme precipitation to Ningbo, Zhejiang, and other areas, highlighting the disastrous power of the "typhoon + cold air" combination. Typhoon "Haikui" in 2023 demonstrated the harm of "slow-moving typhoons." After making landfall, it moved slowly and stagnated for a long time along the eastern coastal areas of Zhejiang, resulting in extremely large accumulated rainfall. These cases remind us that the hazard assessment of a typhoon cannot rely solely on the wind scale at the moment of landfall. Total rainfall, duration, and whether it interacts with cold air are also key variables determining the severity of the disaster.
Scientific Response and Precise Defense
In the face of typhoon threats, the public should establish a graded response awareness based on warning levels. Typhoon warnings are usually divided into four levels: Blue, Yellow, Orange, and Red, with Red being the highest level. When high-level warnings are issued, various regions typically initiate emergency measures such as school suspensions, work stoppages, and transport halts. Please refer to the specific implementation standards released by local governments.
For defensive actions, the following specific measures are recommended:
- Home Reinforcement: Check the sealing of doors and windows in advance, and clear flower pots and debris from balconies to prevent objects from falling from heights.
- Supply Reserve: Prepare at least 3 days' worth of drinking water, non-perishable food, and common first-aid medicines, and ensure power banks are fully charged.
- Evacuation and Shelter: Residents living in low-lying areas, dilapidated houses, or near geological disaster hazard points should closely monitor community notifications. Once an evacuation order is received, immediately go to designated shelters and do not cling to possessions.
Disaster prevention is a race against time. Only by maintaining reverence and responding scientifically can we maximize the protection of life safety. Real-time typhoon tracks can be queried at TyphoonSays (taifengshuo.com)
This article is original educational content from TyphoonSays. Please refer to the latest official announcements from local governments for policy standards.