Portal:Tropical cyclones/Featured article/Typhoon Saomai (2006)



Typhoon Saomai (international designation: 0608, JTWC designation: 08W, designated Typhoon Juan by PAGASA and sometimes called Super Typhoon Saomai) was a powerful typhoon that affected areas of Taiwan and the east coast of the People's Republic of China. It was the eighth tropical storm, fifth typhoon, and third super typhoon of the 2006 Pacific typhoon season recognized by the Joint Typhoon Warning Center. According to the Japan Meteorological Agency, Saomai was the seventh tropical storm and fifth typhoon of the season. The name "Saomai" was submitted by Vietnam, and is from the Vietnamese word for "morning star" (sao Mai), a reference to the planet Venus.

The typhoon brought heavy rain and wind to areas of the Mariana Islands, the Philippines, Taiwan, and the east coast of China, and was responsible for at least 441 deaths and $1.5 billion (2006 USD) in damage. Saomai affected many of the same areas affected by Tropical Storm Bilis a month earlier, and PRC forecasters described it as the most powerful typhoon to strike China since 1956. China Meteorological Administration claimed that Saomai was much stronger than typhoon No. 5612 in 1956. It was the strongest typhoon that ever occurred over China's offshore region as well as the most powerful typhoon ever to make landfall over mainland China.

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