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Typhoon Paka (Rubing)
Typhoon Paka at peak intensity on 18 December
Meteorological history
Formed28 November 1997
Dissipated23 December 1997
Very strong typhoon
10-minute sustained (JMA)
Highest winds185 km/h (115 mph)
Lowest pressure920 hPa (mbar); 27.17 inHg
Category 5-equivalent super typhoon
1-minute sustained (SSHWS/JTWC)
Highest winds295 km/h (185 mph)
Lowest pressure901 hPa (mbar); 26.61 inHg
Overall effects
FatalitiesNone
Damage$580 million (1997 USD)
Areas affectedMarshall Islands, Mariana Islands
IBTrACSEdit this at Wikidata
Part of the 1997 Pacific hurricane and typhoon seasons

Typhoon Paka, known in the Philippines as Super Typhoon Rubing, was an extremely powerful and long-lived storm that devastated Guam and the Marshall Islands in December 1997. One of the strongest Pacific typhoons ever recorded in the month of December, Paka was the last tropical cyclone of the 1997 Pacific hurricane and typhoon seasons and the last of a record eleven super typhoons that formed in 1997.[1] Paka, which is the Hawaiian name for Pat,[2] developed on 28 November from a trough well to the southwest of Hawaii. The storm tracked generally westward for much of its duration, and on 7 December it crossed into the western Pacific Ocean. Much of its track was characterized by fluctuations in intensity, and on 10 December the cyclone attained typhoon status as it crossed the Marshall Islands. On 16 December, Paka struck Guam and Rota with winds of 230 km/h (140 mph), and it strengthened further to reach peak winds on 18 December over open waters as the final super typhoon of the year. Subsequently, it underwent a steady weakening trend, and on 23 December Paka dissipated.

Typhoon Paka first impacted the Marshall Islands, where it dropped heavy rainfall and left US$80 million in damages. Later, it passed just north of Guam, where strong winds destroyed about 1,500 buildings and damaged 10,000 more; 5,000 people were left homeless, and the island experienced a complete power outage following the typhoon. Damage on the island totaled US$500 million, which warranted the retirement of its name. Paka also caused minor damage in the Northern Mariana Islands, and overall, the typhoon did not cause any reported fatalities.

Meteorological history

[edit]
Map plotting the storm's track and intensity, according to the Saffir–Simpson scale
Map key
Saffir–Simpson scale
  Tropical depression (≤38 mph, ≤62 km/h)
  Tropical storm (39–73 mph, 63–118 km/h)
  Category 1 (74–95 mph, 119–153 km/h)
  Category 2 (96–110 mph, 154–177 km/h)
  Category 3 (111–129 mph, 178–208 km/h)
  Category 4 (130–156 mph, 209–251 km/h)
  Category 5 (≥157 mph, ≥252 km/h)
  Unknown
Storm type
triangle Extratropical cyclone, remnant low, tropical disturbance, or monsoon depression

As the weather synoptics of the northern Pacific Ocean transitioned into a late-fall to early winter-type pattern, convection from the monsoon trough extended to the east of the International Date Line. During late November, a westerly disturbance developed into twin troughs on opposite sides of the equator; the one in the Southern Hemisphere eventually developed into Tropical Cyclone Pam, while the one in the Northern Hemisphere formed into an area of convection about 2,000 km (1,200 mi) southwest of Hawaii. The disturbance gradually organized as it drifted north-northeastward, and on 28 November it developed into Tropical Depression Five-C about 465 km (289 mi) west-northwest of Palmyra Atoll. Operationally, the Central Pacific Hurricane Center (CPHC) did not begin issuing warnings on the system until 2 December.[2][3][4][5]

The tropical depression continued drifting north-northeastward, and failed to strengthen significantly. It turned to the west on 1 December, due to the presence of a strong anticyclone to its north with a ridge extending westward past the International Date Line. On 2 December, based on satellite estimates, the CPHC upgraded the depression to Tropical Storm Paka while located about 1,000 km (620 mi) south-southeast of Johnston Atoll. Due to the presence of high clouds across the area, forecasters had difficulty at times in locating the low-level circulation. After becoming a tropical storm, Paka remained nearly stationary for about two days before resuming a slow motion to the west-southwest. It steadily intensified due to warm water temperatures, and on 3 December the storm attained winds of 105 km/h (65 mph). The next day, however, it encountered dry air and began weakening; by 6 December, the winds had decreased to minimal tropical storm status for about 12 hours. Subsequently, Paka began to re-intensify, and on 7 December the storm crossed the International Date Line into the western North Pacific Ocean with winds of 80 km/h (50 mph).[2][5]

Upon entering the western North Pacific Ocean, tropical cyclone warning duties transferred from the CPHC to the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA), and the JMA first assessed Paka as a 65 km/h (40 mph) storm.[6] The Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC) unofficially assumed warning duties for interests in the United States Department of Defense. Paka continued to intensify after crossing the date line, and from late on 7 December through early the following day it remained a strong tropical storm. However, upper-level wind shear increased, and it again weakened. At 1200 UTC on 9 December, the JTWC assessed Paka as an 85 km/h (53 mph) tropical storm and forecast it to continue weakening. By 10 December, the shear had begun to decrease as the storm moved through the Marshall Islands, and that night the JTWC upgraded Paka to typhoon status.[4] Paka officially attained typhoon status when JMA classified it with winds of 120 km/h (75 mph) at 0000 UTC on 11 December.[6]

Super Typhoon Paka on 15 December

After attaining typhoon status, Paka strengthened fairly quickly, and by 12 December it reached sustained winds of 150 km/h (93 mph) for a ten-minute (10 min) duration,[6] or 215 km/h (134 mph) over a one-minute (1 min) duration. Subsequently, it briefly weakened as its forward motion increased. However, Paka again re-intensified, and at 1200 UTC on 14 December it attained the unofficial ranking of Category 5 super typhoon status while over the open Pacific Ocean with estimated 1-minute sustained winds of 260 km/h (160 mph).[4] At the same time, the JMA classified it with 10 min sustained winds of 175 km/h (109 mph).[6] After reaching its initial peak intensity, Paka underwent an eyewall replacement cycle and began weakening as it approached the southern Mariana Islands; the NEXRAD Doppler weather radar from Guam revealed the presence of a primary eyewall of 74 km (46 mi) in diameter, with a fragmented inner wall cloud of 19 km (12 mi) in diameter.[4] Additionally, satellite imagery indicated an eyewall mesovortex within the eye of the typhoon.[7] It slowed and began to re-intensify as it continued westward, and at 0530 UTC on 16 December the northern portion of the outer eyewall of Paka passed over the island of Rota; 20 minutes later, the southern portion of the inner wall cloud moved across northern Guam.[4] As it tracked through the Rota Channel, the center of Paka passed about 8 km (5.0 mi) north of the northern tip of Guam, its closest approach to the island.[8]

Typhoon Paka continued to steadily intensify after passing the Marianas Islands, and late on 17 December it reached its peak intensity of 185 km/h (115 mph) 10 min sustained) while located 440 km (270 mi) west-northwest of Guam.[6] Early on 18 December, the JTWC assessed it as attaining peak winds of 295 km/h (183 mph) 1 min winds).[4] On 19 December, it entered the area of responsibility of the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration, or PAGASA, and was named Rubing.[9] Shortly thereafter, Paka moved through an area of progressively increasing wind shear, which resulted in a steady weakening trend.[7] By 21 December, winds decreased to tropical storm status. The next day, it degenerated into a tropical depression before it dissipated on 23 December.[6]

Preparations and impact

[edit]

Marshall Islands

[edit]

Prior to the typhoon passing through the Marshall Islands, several hundred residents on the island of Ebeye fled to safer structures. The threat of Paka prevented Continental Micronesia from flying in or out of the area.[10]

Paka entered the Marshall Islands between Mili and Majuro as a tropical storm on 10 December, and after strengthening into a typhoon, it left the archipelago on 14 December.[8] The cyclone affected several islands in the nation, and the Majuro and Kwajalein atolls reported wind gusts in excess of 75 km/h (47 mph).[4] On Jaluit Atoll, the typhoon dropped 217 mm (8.5 in) of precipitation in six hours, with a total of about 300 mm (12 in) recorded in 30 hours.[11] Strong waves inundated low-lying islands, which flooded crops with salt water.[10] The combination of the wind and flooding caused severe damage to banana, papaya, and lime trees across the territory.[8] Typhoon Paka damaged 70% of the houses on Ailinglaplap Atoll, and most of the coconut trees on the atoll were left toppled or damaged. Strong winds left large portions of Ebeye island without electricity or telephone.[10] The typhoon caused no reported deaths or injuries in the region, and damage was estimated at US$80 million.[8]

Guam

[edit]
Damage on Guam

The Guam National Weather Service issued a typhoon watch on 14 December, which was upgraded to a typhoon warning the next day. The Antonio B. Won Pat International Airport was closed during the passage of Paka, with only emergency flights permitted.[8]

Passing a short distance north of the island, Typhoon Paka produced strong winds across northern Guam, though reliable wind reports are incomplete due to the long duration and intensity of the winds. The highest reading believed to be reliable was at Apra Harbor. There, a station recorded a wind gust of 277 km/h (172 mph) before the sensor failed as winds shifted to the southwest; since the winds from the southwest were stronger and of greater duration, officials believe gusts there reached 297 km/h (185 mph).[4] Additionally, Andersen Air Force Base recorded a peak wind gust of 381 km/h (237 mph),[12] which at the time was considered the highest wind speed on record, surpassing the 1934 world record of 372 km/h (231 mph) on Mount Washington in New Hampshire.[13] However, a subsequent wind survey of the area discarded the reading at the base, as it was considered unreliable.[12] As microbarographs are less exposed than wind sensors, pressure readings on the island are considered accurate; the lowest reading on the island was 948 hPa (27.99 inHg) at Andersen Air Force Base.[4] In two days, the typhoon dropped about 533 mm (21.0 in) of precipitation on the northern portion of the island, or about 89% of the monthly rainfall total.[14] Waves along northern Guam reached about 11 m (36 ft) in height.[15]

The strong winds from Paka left around 1,500 buildings destroyed on the island,[15] of which 1,160 were single-family homes.[8] A further 10,000 buildings sustained damage to some degree,[15] with 60% of the homes on the island reporting major damage.[8] In all, about 5,000 people were left homeless due to the typhoon. Additionally, an estimated 30–40% of the public buildings received major damage.[8] Buildings on the island made of reinforced concrete fared well, as opposed to light metal-frame structures, which more often than not were destroyed. Large tourist hotels near Hagåtña, on which Guam is dependent, received generally minor damage, such as broken windows and damaged power generators.[15]

A damaged business at Agaña

A complete island-wide power outage followed the typhoon; damage to the main electrical transmission and distribution system was estimated at USD16 million. Following the passage of the typhoon, 25% of the homes on Guam were left without water.[8] Telephone service remained working after the storm, due to most lines being underground. Strong waves washed away a few coastal roads in the northern portion of the island, leaving them temporarily closed. The waves surpassed the seawall at Apra Harbor, damaging the road and infrastructure of the seaport; many boats were washed ashore after breaking from their moorings. Strong winds damaged a radar system and lights along the runway of the Antonio B. Won Pat International Airport, though most airport facilities received light damage. Andersen Air Force Base also sustained heavy damage, with hundreds of downed trees and many facilities left damaged.[15] Across Guam, damage was estimated at USD500 million.[8] About 100 people were injured,[16] but the typhoon caused no deaths on the island.[8]

NEXRAD image of Typhoon Paka from Guam

Northern Mariana Islands

[edit]

A typhoon watch was issued for Rota, Tinian, and Saipan on 14 December, which was upgraded to a typhoon warning the next day.[8] Because Paka was intensifying while passing to the south of Rota, the first wind, or northeast through east winds, was less severe than the second wind from the southeast.[4] Sustained winds on the island reached 145 km/h (90 mph), with gusts reaching 185 km/h (115 mph).[8] Many trees in the mountainous portion of the island were left defoliated, which limited nesting and foraging sites for the endangered bridled white-eye bird.[17] While passing to the south of the island, Paka dropped 250–300 mm (9.8–11.8 in) of rain.[14] Damage on the island totaled $4.4 million (1997 USD, $6.4 million 2015 USD).[8] The typhoon also produced above-normal precipitation on Saipan.[14]

Aftermath

[edit]

Following the passage of the typhoon in the Ailinglaplap Atoll in the Marshall Islands, residents experienced severe food shortages due to damaged crops and little rainfall. Experts estimated the entire redevelopment of its fauna would require more than a decade. As a result of the crop shortage, large-scale evacuations of the islands' residents were considered. Officials in the nation requested assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency of the United States,[18] and on 20 March 1998, the area was declared a disaster area; the declaration allowed for the usage of emergency funds.[19]

On 17 December 1997, President Bill Clinton declared Guam a federal disaster area, making it eligible for federal assistance.[20] One week later, a disaster declaration was ordered for the Northern Mariana Islands.[21] Ultimately, FEMA received 14,770 Individual Assistance Applications from residents on Guam. In turn, FEMA provided the residents with over $27 million in assistance (1997 USD, $39 million 2015 USD).[22] The entire island of Guam was left without power after Paka. Water and sewage systems on Guam were directly affected minimally by the typhoon. With the usage of power generators, most areas of the island had water pumping capabilities within a few days after the typhoon. The Antonio B. Won Pat International Airport was partially reopened to daytime flights a day after the typhoon, and by a week after the passage of Paka the airport was fully re-opened.[15]

Retirement

[edit]

Due to the typhoon's impacts on Guam, the World Meteorological Organization later retired the name Paka from future use in the central North Pacific. The name Pama was chosen as its replacement.[23][24]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Typhoon Paka

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Super Typhoon Paka was an exceptionally powerful that originated as a tropical depression on November 28, 1997, in the central , approximately 1,200 nautical miles southwest of Kauai, , and rapidly intensified into one of the strongest December typhoons on record, culminating in devastating impacts on with sustained winds reaching 140 knots (161 mph) and causing nearly $600 million in damage without any fatalities. Named Tropical Storm Paka by the Central Pacific Hurricane Center on December 2, 1997, the system tracked westward at speeds of 8 to 14 knots, crossing the on December 6 and entering the western North Pacific basin, where responsibility shifted to the . It strengthened into a on December 11 while moving through the and reached super typhoon status on December 15, with its center passing between and Rota on after slowing to just 6 knots. At its peak intensity near , Paka exhibited sustained winds of 140 knots and a minimum central of 935 millibars, though it briefly intensified further to 160 knots on before gradually weakening and dissipating on December 22 east of the . The storm's slow movement over resulted in prolonged exposure to extreme conditions, including typhoon-force winds exceeding 64 knots for over 8 hours across much of the island and rainfall totals up to 20 inches, leading to widespread structural failures, power outages affecting 90% of the territory, and severe erosion along coastlines. Prior to striking Guam, Paka brushed the from December 10 to 13, producing tropical storm-force winds that damaged homes, crops, and infrastructure but caused no deaths. Overall, the typhoon's total economic losses were estimated at around $580 million, primarily concentrated on , where it remains one of the most destructive storms of the , exacerbated by the strong that contributed to its late-season formation and unusual intensity.

Meteorological history

Formation and early intensification

Typhoon Paka originated from a tropical disturbance that formed on November 28, 1997, approximately 1,080 nautical miles southwest of in the central , near coordinates 5.6°N, 166.3°W. This initial development occurred within a enhanced by equatorial westerly winds, a phenomenon linked to the ongoing , which contributed to unusually warm sea surface temperatures exceeding 28°C (82°F) across the region. Low vertical , typically under 10 knots, further favored the disturbance's organization by allowing to consolidate around a developing low-level circulation center. By November 30, the system had shown sufficient organization for monitoring, though formal designation came later. On December 2, the Central Pacific Hurricane Center (CPHC) classified it as Tropical Depression 05C when located near 8.0°N, 167.2°W, with initial sustained winds of around 30–35 knots. The depression intensified steadily over the next day, and on December 2 (or early December 3 per some analyses), it was upgraded to tropical storm status and named Paka by the CPHC, with one-minute sustained winds reaching 45 knots. Throughout this early phase, Paka moved westward at speeds of 8–14 knots, maintaining its tropical storm intensity as winds gradually increased to 45–55 knots by December 6, supported by continued access to deep warm waters and minimal inhibitory atmospheric conditions. On December 7, 1997, Paka approached and crossed the , transitioning from the central to the western Pacific basin, where the (JTWC) assumed primary responsibility and redesignated it as 05C. This shift marked the storm's entry into the northwest Pacific typhoon basin, setting the stage for further development amid persistent favorable environmental factors.

Peak intensity and approach to the Marianas

Following its passage through the Marshall Islands, Paka experienced a period of as vertical decreased to favorable levels below 10 kt, allowing the storm's to organize more efficiently around a developing . The (JTWC) upgraded Paka to status on , , with 1-minute sustained winds reaching 100 kt (115 mph) amid sea surface temperatures exceeding 29°C that supported enhanced heat and moisture influx. By December 15, the system attained super intensity, with JTWC estimating 1-minute winds of 140 kt (161 mph), driven by a strengthening primary eyewall approximately 20 nautical miles in diameter. Paka's track during this phase was steered westward to west-northwestward by a persistent subtropical positioned to the north, maintaining a steady forward speed of about 15 kt as it traversed the open western North Pacific. revealed the formation of a well-defined eye, roughly 10-15 nautical miles across, embedded within a symmetric eyewall structure that contributed to the storm's explosive deepening, with central pressure falling to around 935 mb by mid-December. However, interaction with a mid-level trough approaching from the east introduced minor fluctuations, causing a brief around December 16 that temporarily weakened the inner core before the outer eyewall contracted and dominated. On December 16, Paka reached an initial peak intensity near the Marianas, with JTWC assessing 1-minute sustained winds of 130 kt (150 mph) and a minimum of 935 mb, as the storm brushed approximately 50 nautical miles east of . The began to weaken slightly under the influence of the same trough, prompting a subtle recurvature to the northwest that directed Paka toward the while preserving its overall strength. Reduced shear in the environment, now near 5 kt, facilitated the eyewall's consolidation, enabling a reintensification phase. After a short lull due to the eyewall cycle, Paka achieved its absolute peak on over the , with JTWC estimating 1-minute sustained winds of 160 kt (184 mph) and a central of 901 mb, marking it as one of the strongest typhoons of 1997. Concurrently, the (JMA) recorded 10-minute sustained winds of 100 kt (115 mph or 185 km/h) at this secondary peak, reflecting slight differences in measurement standards but confirming the storm's extreme category. As Paka approached the Marianas more closely on December 17-18, its track adjustment brought the center within 100 nautical miles of the islands, with the expansive outer wind field—extending over 200 nautical miles—beginning to influence regional weather patterns under continued ridge steering.

Landfall and dissipation

On December 16, 1997, the center of Super Typhoon Paka passed between and Rota in the , approximately 15-50 nautical miles north of , with maximum sustained winds of 140 knots (161 mph) and a slow forward movement of approximately 6 knots (7 mph), resulting in prolonged exposure to destructive winds across for over 8 hours. No occurred. Following the closest approach, Paka began weakening rapidly due to interaction with the rugged terrain of and increasing vertical in the environment. By , the system had diminished to strength with sustained around 100 knots (185 km/h), as it continued westward over the open waters of the western North Pacific. The 's track gradually recurved northward under the influence of mid-latitude , leading to steady weakening before full dissipation east of the on December 22. Paka's total duration as a tropical cyclone spanned 25 days, from its formation on November 28 to its dissipation on December 22, marking it as the final named storm of the 1997 Pacific typhoon season.

Preparations

Marshall Islands

The Joint Typhoon Warning Center issued a Tropical Cyclone Formation Alert for the system on November 28, 1997, and subsequent warnings as it intensified into a tropical storm and then typhoon by early December. Forecasts predicted winds up to 50 knots (58 mph) with gusts to 60 knots (69 mph) as Paka approached the Marshall Islands from December 10 to 13. Local authorities in affected atolls, including Majuro and Kwajalein, urged residents to secure property and prepare for gusty winds and heavy rain, though specific evacuations were not widely reported.

Guam and Northern Mariana Islands

As Super Typhoon Paka approached the in mid-December 1997, the Office in Tiyan, , issued a watch for all of the at 1700 local standard time (LST) on December 14, prompting initial preparations across and the . This watch was upgraded to a warning the following day at 0930 LST on December 15 for , Rota, Tinian, and Saipan, as the storm's projected path indicated direct impacts with intensifying winds. The (JTWC) in escalated alerts to super typhoon status, forecasting sustained winds of 130 knots (240 km/h) with gusts up to 160 knots near the islands, based on real-time data from U.S. military installations and ; this led to heightened public notifications, including radio broadcasts and coordination with local until power failures occurred on December 16. In response, Governor Carl T.C. Gutierrez declared a on December 16, authorizing emergency procurement and overtime exemptions for key departments to support response efforts ahead of . U.S. military bases, including and Naval Station Guam, activated standard contingency plans, securing aircraft in hangars and reinforcing structures to withstand expected extreme winds, while contributing radar data essential for accurate . Preparations also included and closures starting December 15, and local authorities stockpiled essential supplies such as water, food, and medical resources, and activated the Joint Information Center to coordinate public communications via radio and emergency alerts, emphasizing sheltering in place and power shutoffs to prevent outages.

Impacts

Marshall Islands

Typhoon Paka affected the with its outer rainbands from December 10 to 13, 1997, producing gusty winds and heavy rainfall across the atoll chain. Gusts exceeding 40 knots (46 mph) were recorded at key locations including and Kwajalein, leading to minor structural damage and impacts to vegetation. Rainfall from the storm was substantial relative to the region's ongoing drought conditions, with approximately 5 inches falling in in the southern atolls, contributing to a December total of 7.63 inches (64% of normal). At Kwajalein in the northern atolls, Paka deposited 3.59 inches over two days, part of a monthly accumulation of 5.03 inches (63% of normal). These amounts, while not extreme, caused localized flooding in low-lying areas and exacerbated vulnerabilities in the drought-affected islands. The impacts were primarily agricultural and infrastructural, with heavy losses to crops such as , bananas, and , alongside considerable damage to hundreds of homes. The storm affected about 70% of the population, mainly through damage to crops and homes. Economic losses reached an estimated $80 million (1997 USD), focused on crop destruction. No fatalities or injuries occurred, and while business losses amounted to hundreds of thousands of dollars, recovery was prolonged by the ensuing El Niño-induced .

Guam

Super Typhoon Paka approached and severely impacted on December 16, 1997, subjecting the island to sustained winds of 115–144 mph (185–232 km/h) for 8–12 hours, which inflicted severe structural damage across the northern two-thirds of the territory. These intense winds destroyed roughly 1,500 buildings, primarily older structures with tin roofs and wooden components, while damaging 10,000 others, including concrete edifices that largely withstood the assault but suffered roof and window failures. The destruction left an estimated 5,000 people homeless, with approximately 80% of homes on the island affected to varying degrees. Heavy rainfall totaling about 20 inches (510 mm) over 48 hours exacerbated the devastation, triggering landslides and widespread flooding that particularly impacted southern villages like Talofofo, where steep terrain funneled runoff into low-lying areas. Uprooted trees and downed power lines compounded the chaos, causing power outages that affected 90% of the island and persisted for days in many areas, halting and communications. Overall economic losses were approximately $600 million, encompassing repairs to utilities, , and . A storm surge reaching up to 10 feet (3 m) above normal tide levels inundated coastal zones, eroding beaches, damaging port facilities at , and flooding waterfront structures with saltwater. Military installations bore significant brunt of the storm; at , high winds tore through hangars and scattered debris across runways, while housing units at Nimitz Hill sustained roof failures and water intrusion from the prolonged exposure.

Northern Mariana Islands

Typhoon Paka produced sustained winds reaching up to 100 mph on Rota and Saipan, causing widespread damage to homes, utility infrastructure, and agricultural assets throughout the , with approximately 500 structures affected overall. These winds toppled power poles—15 on Saipan and 20 on Tinian—leading to severe disruptions in electricity and water services that persisted for several days across the affected islands. Agricultural losses were significant, particularly to crops and vegetation, exacerbating the storm's toll on local food production and livelihoods. High waves accompanying the typhoon, combined with minor , eroded beaches and inundated coastal areas, severely disrupting operations and traditional marine activities in the . The combined effects resulted in significant economic losses, with substantial impacts on including hotels, roads, and related facilities that supported the islands' primary industry. No fatalities occurred in the from Paka, though the storm temporarily displaced about 1,000 residents, primarily from damaged housing in Saipan and Rota. was closed for several days due to wind damage and debris, halting air travel and complicating initial relief efforts.

Aftermath and legacy

Immediate response and recovery

Following Typhoon Paka's devastating passage over and the on December 16, 1997, which caused extensive structural damage including the destruction of thousands of homes and businesses, immediate relief efforts were mobilized by federal, local, and international organizations. On December 17, 1997, President issued a major disaster declaration for (FEMA-1193-DR), making federal funding available for recovery operations, with the opening loan applications for physical damages until February 17, 1998. Overall, federal aid to totaled approximately $148 million to support rebuilding and individual assistance programs. The , in coordination with local NGOs, provided critical supplies such as food, water, and temporary shelters to an estimated 5,000 displaced residents in , where around 1,200 people initially sought refuge in emergency shelters immediately after the storm. Military engineers from the U.S. Department of Defense played a key role in infrastructure restoration, assisting the Power Authority with debris clearance and power grid repairs after the left the entire island without electricity. Partial power restoration began in the days following the storm through these efforts, enabling to resume. In parallel, long-term housing initiatives began, with FEMA deploying temporary trailers for displaced families and initiating reconstruction grants under the Individuals and Households Program starting in January 1998 to facilitate home repairs and permanent rebuilding. In the , where Paka inflicted severe agricultural losses estimated at $80 million, primarily to crops, international aid focused on recovery in this sector. Japan provided $50,000 in emergency financial assistance on December 19, 1997, to support immediate needs. These efforts extended into early 1998, emphasizing seed distribution and farming repairs to restore for affected atolls.

Name retirement and records

Following its devastating impacts, particularly on , the name Paka was retired from the rotating list of names used by the Central Pacific Hurricane Center after the 1997 season. The retirement was approved by the in recognition of the storm's extensive damage, estimated at over $600 million (1997 USD) across affected regions. Typhoon Paka holds several notable records in western North Pacific history. It was the longest-duration of the 1997 season, lasting 25 days from November 28 to 22. Additionally, Paka ranks as one of the strongest typhoons on record, attaining peak 1-minute sustained winds of 160 knots (Category 5 equivalent on the Saffir-Simpson scale) on 18, with its intensity surpassing most historical late-season storms in the basin, such as Typhoon Pamela in 1976 and in 1992. Paka's occurrence contributed to the exceptional , which produced a record 11 super typhoons (winds ≥130 knots) amid a strong El Niño event that enhanced overall activity. The season's super typhoon count far exceeded the long-term average of about 4 and the prior maximum of 7, highlighting Paka as the 11th such storm and underscoring the influence of warm sea surface temperatures on late-season development. The typhoon's extreme winds prompted engineering studies on structural wind resistance in , where gusts exceeded 200 knots in some areas and caused widespread failure of older . These analyses emphasized topographic speed-up effects over ridges, which amplified winds by 20-80%, informing updates to building codes for tropical cyclone-prone regions. Paka also provided key lessons for forecasting, particularly in predicting eyewall replacement cycles for slow-moving storms. Observations revealed a concentric eyewall structure, with an outer eyewall (20 nautical miles wide) bringing prolonged high winds to while the inner eyewall remained offshore; initial forecasts underestimated intensification due to misjudged sea surface temperatures and upper-level outflow, highlighting the need for improved modeling of such cycles.

References

  1. https://www.aoml.noaa.gov/hrd/project98/sh_proj1.html
  2. https://www.weather.gov/media/publications/assessments/Super_Typhoon_Paka_December1997.pdf
  3. https://www.metoc.navy.mil/jtwc/products/atcr/1997atcr.pdf
  4. https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/data/tcr/CP1997_Seasonal_TCR.pdf
  5. https://journals.ametsoc.org/view/journals/mwre/129/12/1520-0493_2001_129_3015_wnpnio_2.0.co_2.xml
  6. https://agora.ex.nii.ac.jp/digital-typhoon/summary/wnp/s/199728.html.en
  7. http://governor.guam.gov/governor-content/uploads/2017/07/E.O.-97-41-State-of-Emergency-for-Emergency-Procurement-Ex.pdf
  8. http://www.soest.hawaii.edu/MET/Enso/peu/update.dir/Update-Jan98.html
  9. https://www.undrr.org/media/83379/download
  10. https://bsp.guam.gov/wp-bsp-content/uploads/2025/10/East_Hagatna_Draft-IFR-EA_Main-Report_Rerelease.pdf
  11. https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-1998-01-09/pdf/98-548.pdf
  12. https://www.southcoasttoday.com/story/news/nation-world/1998/04/05/el-nino-costly-but-not/50572132007/
  13. https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-1998-01-07/html/98-285.htm
  14. https://www.guampdn.com/news/local/disaster-hit-homeowners-renters-can-seek-sba-aid/article_31e5fb1a-ec57-5231-9746-336ceb2bb085.html
  15. https://www.facebook.com/GuamMuseum/posts/on-december-16-17-1997-typhoon-paka-struck-guam-it-was-a-devastating-typhoon-wit/1046028830861717/
  16. https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1997-dec-17-mn-64979-story.html
  17. https://dod.hawaii.gov/blog/1997-typhoon-paka-guam-response/
  18. https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1997-dec-18-mn-65502-story.html
  19. https://www.fema.gov/case-study/guam-memorial-hospital-wind-mitigation
  20. https://www.mofa.go.jp/announce/announce/archive_1/marshall.html
  21. https://www.aoml.noaa.gov/hrd-faq/
  22. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/240505170_Impacts_of_Super_Typhoon_Paka%27s_1997_Winds_on_Guam_Meteorological_and_Engineering_Perspectives
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