Monster storm of '15 takes aim at Taiwan

John Bacon, USA TODAY, and Gaynor Dumat-ol Daleno, Pacific Daily News | USA TODAY

Show Caption Hide Caption Super Typhoon Soudelor ravages Western Pacific Southeast Asia braces for what could be a devastating blow from the super typhoon. USA TODAY science reporter Doyle Rice tells us what we can expect from the most powerful storm of 2015.

A ferocious typhoon that at one point was the planet's biggest storm of the year roared toward Taiwan on Wednesday, weakened somewhat but still posing an ominous threat to the island nation staggered by a similar storm six years ago that killed more than 600 people.

Super Typhoon Soudelor peaked as the equivalent of a Category 5 hurricane, with sustained winds of 180 mph, earlier this week. The most recent alert from the Joint Typhoon Warning Center said its sustained winds were down to 120 mph — the equivalent of a Category 3 storm.

Taiwan's Central Weather Bureau warned that the nation would be directly under the influence of Soudelor (SOW-de-lore) on Friday and Saturday. The weather bureau's forecast center director, Cheng Ming-dean, said people should be alert for massive rainfall and strong winds from the typhoon.

The threat is something Taiwan knows well. Typhoon Morakot brought deadly floods and mudslides in 2009. Accuweather senior meteorologist Dan Kottlowski warned that Soudelor could strengthen into the equivalent of a Category 4 storm — and hit the island nation head on.

"Taiwan will feel tremendous effects from the storm," Kottlowski said. "It might not linger as long as Morakot did, but you are still talking about five to 10 inches of rain, with a foot or more in the mountains. There could be mudslides and, if they are not prepared, there could be a tremendous loss of life."

The Taiwan News said efforts to prepare are underway. It also noted that "higher prices often seen for vegetables prior to the arrival of typhoons because of expectations of supply shortages were in evidence Wednesday," with some prices increased up to 45%.

Kottlowski said Taiwan's mountains should help weaken the storm, meaning Soudelor will pack winds of 75 mph when it reaches mainland China —.barely the strength of a Category 1 hurricane, but still enough to bring flooding and other issues.

China's National Meteorological Center predicted Soudelor will make landfall in the southeastern province of Fujian and neighboring Zhejiang late Saturday. China's Flood Control and Drought Relief Headquarters urged local authorities to take precautions.

Saipan, one of the U.S. Northern Mariana Islands, was in full in recovery mode Wednesday from Soudelor's fury. Thousands of residents have been without water and power since the storm hit the tiny island Sunday night and early Monday — well before Souderlor reached its full force.

About 48,000 people live in Northern Mariana Islands commonwealth, and 90% them live on the main island of Saipan. Saipan's Commonwealth Utilities Corp., a government agency that runs power, water and wastewater systems on the island, said high winds caused damage to power generation facilities.

The U.S. Energy Department estimated that complete restoration of power could take as long as a month. Some water service might be restored later this week, the Northern Marianas governor's office said.

Saipan consumers are dealing with a limited availability of gasoline, and the local government implemented a temporary price freeze on essential commodities to avert price-gouging. Prices were frozen until at least Saturday on such items as gasoline, kerosene, diesel, power generators, batteries, as well as tools for construction, ground-clearing and home repairs.

Lt. Gov. Ralph DLG Torres, the interim governor, requested FEMA assistance, saying the post-typhoon recovery price tag would top $20 million. Torres sent a letter Tuesday asking President Obama to issue a disaster declaration and federal money for recovery efforts.

"We estimate the extent of the damage will exceed $20 million in Saipan ... an amount beyond the capability of the commonwealth to provide," Torres wrote.