Typhoon Fitow

Typhoon Fitow, known in the Philippines as Typhoon Quedan, was the strongest typhoon to make landfall in mainland China during October since 2007. The twenty-first named storm of the extremely active 2013 Pacific typhoon season, Fitow developed on September 29 to the east of the Philippines. It initially tracked north-northwestward, gradually intensifying into a tropical storm and later to typhoon status, with winds of at least 120 km/h (75 mph). Fitow later turned west-northwest due to an intensifying ridge to the east, bringing the typhoon over the Ryukyu Islands, with peak winds of 140 km/h (85 mph) on October 5. The next day, the typhoon made landfall China in Fuding, Fujian Province, before eventually quickly weakening over land and dissipating on October 7.

Across its path, Fitow prompted many airlines to cancel flights and caused other transport disruptions. In Japan, the typhoon damaged 1,464 houses and left about 6,800 households without power on Miyako Island. Heavy rainfall in Taiwan flooded houses and caused mudslides that closed two highways. The damage was the heaviest in Fujian and Zhejiang provinces in China, which was near where Fitow made landfall. In Zhejiang, total rainfall peaked at 803 mm (31.6 in) in Yuyao, which flooded 70% of the town with up to 3 m (10 ft) of waters; as a result, the city received the worst flooding in a century, which disrupted aid distribution in the storm's aftermath. Across China, Fitow damaged about 95,000 houses and left at least 159,000 other houses without power. The storm also flooded about 75,000 hectares (190,000 acres) of fields and killed thousands of fish in fish farms. Damages in the country reached CN¥63.14 billion (US$10.3 billion), and along with CN¥6 billion (US$1 billion) from insured losses, the total economic damages were CN¥69.14 billion (US$10.4 billion), making it, at the time, the costliest tropical cyclone on record until it was surpassed by Typhoon Doksuri in 2023 and Typhoon Yagi in 2024. An additional 12 fatalities were also reported, with eight of them related to electrocutions.

Fitow originated from a persistent area of convection, or thunderstorms, approximately 310 km (190 mi) north-northeast of Palau during mid-late September. At the time, wind shear dislocated the convection to the west of a broad and poorly defined circulation. Although the system was poorly organized, tropical cyclone forecast models noted the potential for further development. The convection gradually consolidated and outflow increased to the west, indicative of increased organization. Early on September 29, the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) reported that the convection developed into a tropical depression about 310 km (190 mi) to the northeast of Palau. Around the same time, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) also began issuing warnings for the depression, and as it was inside the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR), PAGASA assigned the local name Quedan. Early on September 30, the Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC) initiated advisories on the depression and designated it 22W, noting that the system had become increasingly well-defined amid decreasing wind shear.

Due to a ridge to the east, 22W tracked north-northwest through an area of warm sea surface temperatures. As a result, at 12:00 UTC on September 30, the JMA upgraded the depression to a tropical storm, naming it Fitow. Although outflow and convection increased in general, the thunderstorm activity diminished over the center due to sinking air. By late on October 1, however, convection increased over Fitow's center, and on the following day, the JMA upgraded it to a severe tropical storm. On October 2, satellite imagery revealed a developing eye, although the rainbands wrapping into the eye were fragmented. It was only until midday UTC on October 3 for the JTWC to upgrade Fitow to typhoon status, with one-minute sustained winds of 120 km/h (75 mph). By that time, the convection had increased in coverage and intensity, with outflow increased by a trough to the north. The JMA did not follow suit until 24 hours later, at 12:00 UTC on October 4, by which time the eye had become better defined.

After strengthening into a typhoon, Fitow turned more to the northwest due to the ridge building to the east. Despite increasing wind shear, the typhoon continued to intensify due to amplified outflow. Late on October 4, the JMA upgraded Fitow to its peak intensity, with 10-minute sustained winds of 140 km/h (85 mph). Early on the following day, the JTWC estimated the typhoon's peak one-minute sustained winds of 105 mph (170 km/h), and shortly thereafter, the typhoon passed about 225 km (140 mi) south of Okinawa. By that time, the eye's width had expanded to 75 km (47 mi), which initially remained unaffected by the increased wind shear. Also on October 5, PAGASA issued its final advisory as the storm exited the PAR. At around 15:00 UTC, Fitow was about 40 km (25 mi) north of Miyako Island, by which time the eye began deteriorating. As the typhoon passed northeast of Taiwan, the ragged eye became cloud-filled and the convection weakened. Late on October 6, Fitow made landfall just south of Wenzhou in eastern China, in Fuding, Ningde, Fujian province. It became the strongest typhoon to make landfall in China during October since 1949, according to the China Meteorological Administration (CMA), with a minimum central pressure of 955 mbar (28.20 inHg) and sustained winds of 151 km/h (94 mph). Fitow rapidly weakened as it continued tracking northwestward near the border of Zhejiang and Fujian provinces, subsequently dissipating on October 7.

On the Japanese island of Okinawa, 288 flights at Naha Airport were canceled, affecting 28,000 people. Officials also canceled bus, monorail, and ferry services. In South Korea, organizers of the 2013 Formula One season issued a typhoon alert and prepared contingency plans in case Fitow impacted the Korean Grand Prix. Officials in Taiwan issued a storm warning before Fitow passed just north of the island. The Republic of China Army mobilized 20,000 troops for protections and standby operations. Seventeen ferry services between Taiwan and its offshore islands were suspended, and over 200 flights were canceled. Schools and government offices closed in portions of Taiwan due to the storm.

In anticipation of the storm, officials in China issued warnings for Zhejiang and Fujian for the potential of high winds and flooding, which was later credited for reducing casualties. The Chinese army was activated to assist in militating against potential flooding. Officials told boat owners to put their property in shelter, totaling 65,000 vessels ordered to return to report. Coastal facilities such as seaside bathing centers were closed. Before Fitow made landfall in China, about 177,000 people were evacuated in Fujian, while another 574,000 left their homes in Zhejiang, bringing the total number of evacuees to around 751,000. In Shanghai, 42 train or bus rides were canceled, along with 40 flights. Two airports in Zhejiang reported 49 canceled flights, while another 20 were canceled in Fujian.

In Japan, Fitow produced peak wind gusts of 133 km/h (83 mph) on Miyako Island, leaving about 6,800 homes without electricity. Winds gusts up to 193 km/h (120 mph) were recorded on Yoronjima to the north of Okinawa, while 167 km/h (104 mph) gusts were recorded at Kunigami on the northern tip of Okinawa. In Okinawa, the typhoon caused power outages, disrupted transportation, and damaged farms. In Japan, Fitow damaged 1,464 homes and injured five people.