Hurricane Florence & Super Typhoon Mangkhat Updates

Super Typhoon Mangkhut

Hurricane Florence and Super Typhoon Mangkhat struck over the weekend, bringing tragedy with them.

The associated press has reported thirty-two people dead from Hurricane Florence. A majority of the victims, twenty-five people, in North Carolina.

Super Typhoon Mangkhat hit the Phillipines hard before striking China. An article by by Euan McKirdy, Joshua Berlinger and Ben Westcott of CNN that I found posted by Axis of Logic reports:

Worst hit by far was the Philippines, where at least 54 people were killed when the violent, then-super typhoon — known locally as Ompong — cut a swath through northern Luzon.

The storm caused flooding and landslides on Luzon, particularly in the town of Itogon, Benguet, where landslides have killed at least 35 and left dozens missing, many of whom are believed to be buried under thick mud.

When the super typhoon moved to China, it claimed additional victims, but the death toll was far less there than in the Philippines according to the article:

More than three million people have been moved to safety in southern China as Typhoon Mangkhut moved northward and continued to wreak havoc across the region.

Mangkhut made landfall in Guangdong, China’s most populous province, late afternoon Sunday, killing four people before heading west into neighboring Guangxi province around midnight.

…

As many as 391 people in Hong Kong sought medical attention Sunday during the storm, according to the local city government. Over 1,500 people sought refuge at temporary shelters.

NASA image of Hurricane Florence

Obviously these two storms stopped international shipping operations by closing ports and keeping ships from sailing.

Kim Link-Wills reported in American Shipper giving the details on what’s going on at U.S. ports affected by the hurricane:

The Ports of Wilmington and Morehead City will remained closed through Wednesday in the aftermath of Hurricane Florence.

“Hurricane Florence has had a major impact on North Carolina and the Ports of Wilmington and Morehead City,” North Carolina Ports tweeted.

…

The South Carolina Ports Authority said vessel operations at the Port of Charleston resumed at 4 a.m. Monday. Norfolk Southern and CSX intermodal operations also resumed early Monday morning.

Maersk said the Wando Terminal at the Port of Charleston was experiencing congestion, but that is expected to be resolved this week.

…

Inland Port Greer reported normal gate and terminal operations and Norfolk Southern service in South Carolina between Charleston and Greer had resumed Monday.

Inland Port Dillon remained closed Monday. The port was expected to reopen at 6 a.m. Tuesday. The first CSX train is scheduled to arrive in Dillon from Charleston on Wednesday.

SCPA also said that Georgetown reopened at 8 a.m. Monday.

In Georgia, normal gate operations are being observed at the Port of Savannah. “However, the vessels are only being permitted to sail on a case-by-case basis,” Maersk said.

Expect some congestion and delays around those ports as trucks are also held up by road closures caused by flooding.

Disruptions at the Port of Hong Kong and other major ports in the region hit by Super Typhoon Mangkhat are still being assessed. But congestion and delays can obviously be expected during the recovery process.

Hellenic Shipping News reported:

Bunker operations at the port of Hong Kong was suspended Monday due to Typhoon Mangkhut, which made landfall on Sunday.

While the Hong Kong Observatory has lowered the typhoon warning from strong winds signal T3 to standby signal T1 at 2:40 pm local time (0640 GMT), the wind was still strong, accompanied by high swells, market sources said.
“We can deliver in-port location but terminal loadings are still suspended, and pilotage has not resumed,” a supplier said Monday.

Terminal and barge congestion is expected when operations resume.

“Loadings at the terminal will be jammed from Tuesday, barges are currently empty,” another supplier said, adding that operations were expected to resume on Tuesday.

Please give thoughts and prayers to the victims of Hurricane Florence and Super Typhoon Mangkhut who are injured, have lost family members and friends, as well as those who have suffered damage and loss of homes, property, and businesses.

You can also give financial support.

One way to do so is by donating to Red Cross’s disaster relief, which is working to help victims in the aftermath of both of these deadly storms.