 Tropical Depression Usman nearing the Philippines on December 29 | |
| Meteorological history | |
|---|---|
| Formed | December 25, 2018 |
| Dissipated | December 29, 2018 |
| Tropical depression | |
| 10-minute sustained (JMA) | |
| Highest winds | 55 km/h (35 mph) |
| Lowest pressure | 1000 hPa (mbar); 29.53 inHg |
| Tropical depression | |
| 1-minute sustained (SSHWS/JTWC) | |
| Highest winds | 55 km/h (35 mph) |
| Lowest pressure | 998 hPa (mbar); 29.47 inHg |
| Overall effects | |
| Fatalities | 156 |
| Missing | 26 |
| Damage | $103 million (2018 USD) |
| Areas affected | Caroline Islands, Philippines |
| IBTrACS | |
Part of the 2018 Pacific typhoon season | |
Tropical Depression Usman was a weak but deadly tropical cyclone that impacted the southern Philippines in December 2018. Tropical Depression Usman originated first as a low-pressure area to the east of Palau on December 23. Slowly intensifying, the system became a tropical depression two days later. The system maintained its intensity while moving in a general west-northwestward direction approaching the eastern portion of the Philippine islands. However, due to unfavorable conditions, the depression weakened into a remnant low on December 29, while making landfall over Eastern Samar thereafter.
While the system possessed weaker winds, it brought torrential rainfall over much of Visayas, hitting the regions of Eastern Visayas and Bicol the hardest. Sea travel to the country was vastly disrupted during the holiday season. Torrential rain caused flooding to as high as 7 feet (2.1 meters) in Northern Samar. An estimated of 36,000 houses were damaged due to Usman. A total of 156 people perished during storm, while 26 people remain missing. Damage from Usman is estimated to be about ₱5.41 billion (US$103 million). After the season, the PAGASA struck off the name Usman from their naming lists because it exceeded more than ₱1 billion worth of damages.