 Fred at peak intensity on August 19 | |
| Meteorological history | |
|---|---|
| Formed | August 14, 1994 |
| Remnant low | August 22, 1994 |
| Dissipated | August 26, 1994 |
| Very strong typhoon | |
| 10-minute sustained (JMA) | |
| Highest winds | 185 km/h (115 mph) |
| Lowest pressure | 925 hPa (mbar); 27.32 inHg |
| Category 4-equivalent tropical cyclone | |
| 1-minute sustained (SSHWS/JTWC) | |
| Highest winds | 240 km/h (150 mph) |
| Overall effects | |
| Fatalities | 3,063 total |
| Damage | $1.19 billion |
| Areas affected |
|
| IBTrACS | |
Part of the 1994 Pacific typhoon season | |
Typhoon Fred, known in the Philippines as Typhoon Susang, was a powerful tropical cyclone that caused extensive damage in southeastern China in mid-August 1994. Regarded as the worst typhoon to affect Zhejiang in 160 years, it originated as an area of disturbed weather over the open West Pacific on August 13. The system moved west-southwest and developed into a tropical depression on August 14. Early on August 15, it intensified into a tropical storm. Fred intensified at a steady rate over the course of several days while moving toward the west. The storm intensified into a typhoon on August 16 and into a super typhoon three days later. Late on August 19, the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA), the principal organization in the West Pacific, estimated 10-minute sustained winds of 185 km/h (115 mph). The Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC), meanwhile, assessed 1-minute sustained winds of 240 km/h (150 mph). After peaking in intensity, Fred veered to the north of Taiwan and struck the China mainland near Wenzhou early on August 21. The system degraded once inland and dissipated near Wuhan on August 22.
As Fred moved between Taiwan and Japan, it produced fringe effects in both countries. In Japan, heavy rainfall and strong winds caused damage to buildings and crops. This damage was exacerbated by an F2 tornado that injured 14 people. In Taiwan, severe weather left thousands without utilities and caused damage primarily to crops. A landslide killed three people, and two others went missing. The most significant impact by far occurred in southeastern China, particularly in Zhejiang Province. A significant storm surge combined with astronomical high tides to inflict catastrophic damage to coastal infrastructure. Protection mechanisms failed, allowing an overwhelming surge of water to flow into 189 towns, including the port city of Wenzhou.
In conjunction with flooding induced by swollen rivers, these floods impacted some 11 million people, of which 2.11 million were stranded by water. The combination of wind and rain damaged 700,000 homes and collapsed 100,000 more. Thousands of kilometers of electricity lines, embankment, and highway were damaged. Up to 300,000 ha (741,000 acres) of land were damaged, and some 367,000 livestock were killed. Along the storm path, 1,815 casualties were recorded, including 1,248 deaths, primarily focused on Zhejiang, totaling 3,063 deaths. The damage total reached $1.19 billion, almost all of which occurred in China.