Tropical Storm Sibyl (1995)

Severe Tropical Storm Sibyl, known as Severe Tropical Storm Mameng in the Philippines, was a strong and destructive tropical cyclone that affected in the Philippines. The twentieth tropical depression and sixteenth named storm of the 1995 Pacific typhoon season. Sibyl originated a tropical disturbance near Marshall Islands on September 21. The depression upgraded into a tropical storm on September 28. Sibyl upgraded into a severe tropical storm on September 30. Sibyl attained peak pressure of 985 hPa (29.1 inHg) on October 1. Sibyl made four landfalls in the Philippines. The storm dissipated on October 4 near China.

In the Philippines, 116 were killed, 241,430 families were affected. 234,000 people were left homeless. Total damage was estimated at $120 million. Sibyl caused mudflows in Pampanga province. In China, 30 people reported injured. Eight people killed. Damage in China totaled to $159 million (1.32 billion RMB). In Hong Kong, 14 people were injured. In Macau, no injures and deaths were reported.

On September 21 at 06:00 UTC, the Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC) first monitored tropical disturbance about east of Marshall Islands.^[1] The tropical disturbance moving westwards.^[1] The tropical disturbance first mentioned on the Significant Tropical Weather Advisory on September 23 at 06:00 UTC. JTWC first issued a Tropical Cyclone Formation Alert (TCFA) at 00:00 UTC on September 25.^[2][1] At 06:00 UTC on September 27, the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) began monitoring as a tropical depression.^[3] At 00:00 UTC, the JTWC issued the first warning on Tropical Depression 20W.^[2] The storm crossed the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR), PAGASA named it Mameng on September 27.^[4] Sibyl turned to west-northwestwards on September 28.^[1] Both the JMA and JTWC upgraded into a tropical storm on September 28 at 12:00 UTC.^[3][1]

At 12:00 UTC on September 29, the JTWC upgraded into a typhoon and Sibyl made first landfall in Samar.^[1][2] Low level cyclonic winds accelerate through channels between islands, increased low-level convergence and convection. When upper-level flow patterns are favorable for intensification, the storm strengthened while passing through the archipelago due to the contraction of the wind field.^[2] At 00:00 UTC on September 30, the JMA upgraded into a severe tropical storm.^[3] At 18:00 UTC, Sibyl made second landfall in Burias Island.^[5] At 06:00 UTC, Sibyl made third landfall in Marinduque.^[5]

At 12:00 UTC on the same day, the JTWC reached peak intensity at 110 mph (180 km/h) and made fourth landfall Quezon province.^[2][5] At 06:00 UTC on October 1, JMA reached maximum pressure of 985 hPa (29.1 inHg).^[3] Sibyl exited in the Philippines, The storm entered the South China Sea on October 1. Sibyl was downgraded to a tropical storm on October 2 at 18:00 UTC.^[2] At 06:00 UTC on October 3, the JMA downgraded into a tropical storm.^[3] Sibyl turned to the north-northwestwards on the early morning of October 3. Sibyl made landfall in coast of western Guangdong on October 3.^[1][6] The JTWC issued the final warning at 18:00 UTC of October 3. Sibyl's low-level circulation dissipated on the morning of October 4 near China.^[2] At 12:00 UTC on October 4, the JMA ceased tracking the system.^[3]

Nationwide, total damage was estimated at $120 million (₱3.1 billion), $25 million (₱1.2 billion) in damage to agriculture and $69 million (₱1.8 billion) in damage to infrastructure.^{[note 1]} 116–184 people killed, 49 injured, 126 missing, 1,240,668 affected people and 241,430 families were affected. A total of 13,234 damaged homes and 21,862 partially damaged homes.^[4][7] 234,000 people were left homeless.^[6] The storm caused 90–200 mm (3.5–7.9 in) of rain. Heavy rainfall 225–330 mm (8.9–13.0 in) across Mindoro, Samar, Panay and southern portions of Luzon.^[8] Maximum wind speed recorded with 10-minute sustained winds of 120 km/h (70 mph) in Sangley Point on September 30. Sea level pressure recorded at 977.9 mb (28.88 inHg) in Tacloban.^[2]

In San Pablo City, four people were killed. one drowned in Palayan. three drowned in Panay. At least one person was electrocuted as a result of the street flooding in Manila. A landslide was reported in Valencia, about 530 miles (850 km) south of Manila, killing 18 people, seven of whom were children. One tornado was reported nationwide in the Philippines.^[9][10] 5 injured in Bukidnon province. three injured in Sorsogon. The Philippine Airlines cancelled 15 flights.^[11] In barangay Cabalantian in Bacolor, 50 people were killed from floods and 18 ft (5.5 m) mudflows from the slopes of Mount Pinatubo, quickly burying the entire barangay. 3,900 homes in four other barangays are buried into deposits about 9 m (30 ft) deep. All homes were uninhabitable.^[12][2] Thousands of residents without electricity in Manila.^[2] 29 provinces and 28 cities were placed under a state of calamity by Philippine President Fidel V. Ramos. The government released $1 million from disaster relief to rebuild areas affected by floods and mudflows.^[13] The UNHCR office in Manila provided approximately $5,000 (₱124,000) in relief aid. The WFP office located in Manila distributed approximately 11 metric tons of rice.^[14]

In Hong Kong, on October 1 at 5:45 pm HKT, the Royal Observatory issued a Signal No. 1. Next day at 12:30 pm HKT, the Royal Observatory was raised a Strong Wind Signal No. 3. Next day at 05:10 am HKT, the Royal Observatory was raised a Sotheast Gale or Signal No. 8. At 11:30 am HKT the same day, the Royal Observatory was downgraded to Strong Wind Signal No. 3. At 8:45 pm HKT the same day, all signals were lowered.^[6] At Kai Tak International Airport, at least flights had to be delayed, canceled or diverted due to the storm. All ferry services between Hong Kong and the outer islands received disruptions, with some having to be stopped.^[15]

In Hong Kong, a falling tree struck three cars on Gascoigne Road in Kowloon. On Tai Mo Shan, peak winds reached 113 km/h (70 mph) on October 3. In Shek Kong rainfall peaked at 292.5 mm (11.52 in) over 72-hours. 14 people were injured in Hong Kong.^[6] In a village in the New Territories, 25 people had to be rescued by firefighters after they were trapped by rising waters.^[15] In Macau, several scaffoldings collapsed, two vehicles suffered damage, although no injures and deaths were reported.^[6]

The storm caused significant damage to numerous roads and bridges. Eight fatalities were reported in Guangdong. Over 180,000 ha (440,000 acres) of farmland were destroyed. Damages totaled to $159 million (1.32 billion RMB).^[6] 30 people were reported injured. Fights connecting Guangzhou Baiyun Airport and Hong Kong's Kai Tak Airport were cancelled on October 3, and travel to Haikou were delayed. In Zhuhai, the storm caused traffic accidents, leaving two people dead and injuring four others. Two fatalities occurred in Yangdong and Yangxi. In Maoming City, more than 20,000 ha (49,000 acres) of agricultural land were inundated by floodwaters. The Guangzhou–Zhanjiang Highway's Dianbai segment sustained damage. One fatality occurred in Xinyi, and extensive damage of several homes.^[16]