Typhoon Haiyan (Yolanda): Origin, Path, and Devastation

Typhoon Haiyan (Philippine name: Yolanda) was one of the most intense tropical cyclones ever recorded at landfall. The question "Where did Sendong come from?" appears to confuse two different storms—Sendong (Tropical Storm Washi, December 2011) and Haiyan/Yolanda (November 2013). This article addresses Haiyan/Yolanda, the more catastrophic event.

Genesis and Intensification

• Origin: Low-pressure area near Kosrae, Federated States of Micronesia (approx. 5°N, 160°E) on November 2, 2013
• Tropical Depression: Designated 31W on November 3
• Tropical Storm: Named Haiyan by JMA on November 4
• Rapid Intensification: Explosive deepening November 5–6 over warm Pacific waters (30°C+, high ocean heat content, low shear)
• Peak Intensity: November 7–8 — 10-minute sustained winds 230 km/h (JMA), 1-minute sustained 315 km/h (JTWC) — Category 5 equivalent

Track and Landfalls

1. Micronesia: Passed near Kayangel (Palau) Nov 6 — minor damage
2. Philippines: First landfall: Guiuan, Eastern Samar, 4:40 AM Nov 8 — peak intensity. Crossed Leyte, Cebu, Panay. Second landfall: Tolosa, Leyte. Tacloban City devastated by 5–6m storm surge.
3. South China Sea: Weakened but remained typhoon
4. Vietnam: Landfall near Haiphong Nov 10 as severe tropical storm
5. China: Final landfall Guangxi Nov 11; dissipated inland

Catastrophic Impact

• Deaths: 6,300+ confirmed (Philippines); 1,000+ missing
• Displaced: 4.1M people; 1.1M homes damaged/destroyed
• Economic Loss: $12–15B (Philippines); $800M+ (Vietnam/China)
• Storm Surge: 5–7m in Tacloban — primary killer; funnelled by Leyte Gulf geography
• Wind Damage: Flattened coconut plantations (major livelihood); destroyed 90% of structures in hardest-hit zones

Why "Sendong" Is a Different Storm

Tropical Storm Sendong (Washi) struck December 16–18, 2011 — primarily Mindanao (Cagayan de Oro, Iligan). Caused 1,200+ deaths from flash floods. Originated east of Palau, tracked west-northwest. Two different storms, two years apart. Haiyan/Yolanda was vastly more powerful.

Legacy

• Philippines adopted impact-based warning system (storm surge alerts, color-coded rainfall)
• "Build back better" reconstruction — safer zones, resilient design
• Climate justice discourse: Haiyan became symbol at COP19 (Warsaw, 2013)
• Name Haiyan retired (replaced by Bailu); Yolanda retired in Philippine list (replaced by Yasmin)

Haiyan/Yolanda redefined "worst-case scenario" for tropical cyclones. Its origin was unremarkable—a tropical wave in the Caroline Islands—but perfect environmental conditions created a meteorological monster that rewrote Philippine disaster history.