Tropical Storm Florence and Super Typhoon Mangkhut Pummel the Planet
By Niraj Chokshi and Sarah Mervosh
Updated Sept. 15
Two powerful storms are threatening lives and livelihoods after making landfall this week on opposite ends of the earth — Tropical Storm Florence, which battered the North Carolina coast with strong winds and blinding rain, and Super Typhoon Mangkhut, which packed winds as high as 200 miles an hour and slammed the northern Philippines.
Dozens of Times journalists around the world are covering the two storms. We are providing open and unlimited access to our coverage.
Florence, a ‘monster’ of a storm, causes fatalities and flooding
Florence slammed into the Carolina coast on Friday with a destructive power unlike any the area has seen in a generation. At least five people have died, and rescue crews were trying to pluck distressed residents from rooftops.
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For the latest, check Saturday’s live updates, pictures from our photojournalists on the ground and maps tracking the storm.
Forecasters were predicting up to 40 inches of rainfall and dangerous flooding in what Gov. Roy Cooper of North Carolina has called a “monster” storm. The coastal town of New Bern, N.C., was already inundated: “Downtown is literally underwater,” said Jameesha Harris, an alderwoman.
Like Hurricane Harvey last year, Florence is expected to progress slowly, meaning it could stall over the region, dumping rain and harsh wind for days. Lingering storms can be problematic, and researchers say that tropical cyclones, including hurricanes, have become slower since the mid-1900s.
Here’s what it’s like for the thousands seeking shelter from Florence, as well as for those who decided to stay put. You can also hear directly from Times readers in the storm’s path who have shared their experiences with us. And here’s how to help those affected by Florence.
Here’s how to understand and stay safe in the storm
News reports about Florence may be laden with words like landfall, eyewall and flood plain. Here’s what storm terms actually mean. Florence, which was a Category 4 storm as of early Wednesday, was downgraded to a tropical storm on Friday. Here’s an explanation of the different categories.
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If you are in an affected area, here are five things you can do to avoid the dangers of flooding.
Evacuation orders can pose special challenges for the elderly and disabled. Here’s expert advice for those who cannot or will not evacuate.
We also have tips for travelers affected by the storm and advice on how to use technology to your advantage. Read our guide to preparing for Florence and other storms.
Typhoon Mangkhut hits the Philippines
On the other side of the world, Typhoon Mangkhut passed across the Philippines after making landfall Saturday in Luzon, the nation’s largest and most populous island. Follow our live updates and track the storm’s location as it moves toward China.
Northern Luzon is home to a region considered the country’s breadbasket, raising concerns that an agricultural sector already devastated by a series of typhoons would be pummeled once again, right at the beginning of the corn and rice harvest.
The storm also raised the specter of Typhoon Haiyan, which claimed more than 6,000 lives in 2013, overwhelming the government and the military. Officials have already begun to employ some of the lessons it left behind.
Why is Mangkhut called a typhoon while Florence was called a hurricane? It’s all about location. A “super” typhoon is one with sustained wind speeds of at least 150 miles per hour. As of Saturday, Mangkhut had winds that reached 200 miles per hour, the equivalent of a Category 5 hurricane.
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