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The Izu archipelago have endured another powerful blow as tropical cyclone Nakri moved across the area on Monday, coming just after storm Halong, which struck seven days prior.

Immediate Impact on Hachijojima Island

Local authorities on Hachijojima noted interruptions and destruction to about 220 homes after the typhoon brought an hour of rainfall totaling 37mm and gusts of up to 95mph (152km/h). Airport operations were disrupted, public facilities harmed, and intense rains caused ground slides across the island chain. The typhoon also produced waves as high as 9 meters, creating dangerous coastal conditions. Off the Pacific coast in Oiso, in the Kanagawa region, three fishermen were carried off by waves, with one fatality reported.

The Evolution of Nakri

Nakri has since transitioned into an extratropical cyclone, losing strength while traveling east over cooler north Pacific waters, with gusts reducing to around 65mph as of Thursday. Riding the jet stream, its remnants are on track to reach British Columbia, Canada, delivering intense precipitation, powerful gusts, and coastal flooding.

Recalling Halong's Fury

Seven days before, Halong had unleashed over 200mm of precipitation within three hours, as maximum sustained winds reached 122mph. By late morning last Thursday, precipitation levels climbed to 349mm, shattering the 24-hour record. The typhoon’s remnants then crossed the north Pacific and arrived in Alaska on Sunday, causing an unprecedented 2-meter coastal surge.

Significant Harm in Alaska

The coastal villages of Kipnuk and Kwigillingok were the hardest hit. One person died, homes were destroyed, and about 1,500 residents were forced into shelters. Alaska experienced one of the largest airlifts in its history to relocate affected individuals. Halong stands as one of the most powerful storms the region has experienced. Its rapid intensification was fuelled by abnormally hot northern Pacific seas, which supplied additional warmth and humidity.

Double Trouble in Mexico

At the same time, the country faced two consecutive hits last week as the leftovers of Priscilla and Raymond converged, dumping about 609mm of rain in four days across the central and eastern areas. Steered by a dip in the jet stream, the two weather events struck the same zone one after another. The first deluge from Priscilla made the soil waterlogged, intensifying flooding when Raymond arrived. Over 300 localities were affected by landslides and overflowing rivers. By Wednesday, 66 fatalities were verified and 75 individuals are still unaccounted for. Rescue and recovery operations are continuing, with standing water causing health worries in isolated areas.