10th Anniversary of Typhoon Sudal striking Yap

Image

Typhoon Sudal over Yap (NOAA GOES-9)

     On April 9, 2004, Typhoon Sudal’s (Cosme in the PAGASA naming scheme) eyewall passed over the island of Yap of the Federated States of Micronesia.  It raked the island with 115 mph (185 km/hr) winds and 7.9 inches (20 cm) of rain.  A day later the storm’s estimated one-minute sustained winds peaked at 150 mph (240 km/hr).  Over 90% of structures on the island were damaged leaving US$14 million in destruction but no direct deaths.  Additionally, Sudal inflicted minor damage on Chuuk, Guam, Rota and the Caroline Islands in its path across the Pacific.