![]() Satellite image of Cyclone Aivu near peak intensity on 3 April | |
Meteorological history | |
---|---|
Formed | 31 March 1989 |
Dissipated | 5 April 1989 |
Category 5 severe tropical cyclone | |
10-minute sustained (BOM) | |
Highest winds | 205 km/h (125 mph) |
Lowest pressure | 935 hPa (mbar);27.61 inHg |
Category 4-equivalent tropical cyclone | |
1-minute sustained (SSHWS/JTWC) | |
Highest winds | 220 km/h (140 mph) |
Overall effects | |
Fatalities | 3 total |
Damage | $156 million (1997 USD) |
Areas affected | Papua New Guinea,Queensland,New South Wales |
Part of the 1988–89 Australian region cyclone season |
Severe Tropical Cyclone Aivu was a powerful late-season tropical cyclone that caused extensive damage across parts of Queensland,Australia in April 1989.
On 29 March 1989, a tropical disturbance developed near the Solomon Islands. Tracking slowly west-northwest, [1] it eventually moved over the Louisiade Archipelago off the southeast tip of Papua New Guinea by 31 March. By this time, it was classified as a tropical low by the Tropical Cyclone Warning Center in Port Moresby. The low subsequently turned south-southeast and intensified into a tropical cyclone on 1 April. Upon reaching cyclone strength, the storm was assigned the name Aivu. [2] Concurrently, the Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC) classified Aivu as Tropical Cyclone 23P, also estimating winds to have reached gale-force. [1] Tropical cyclone formation within Port Moresby's area of responsibility (AOR) is relatively uncommon, though usually linked with cool La Niña events. However, Aivu's late-season formation within the region proved to be an unusual case with no fully understood reason. [3] Moving across the Coral Sea at 15 to 20 km/h (9.3 to 12.4 mph) the storm soon crossed 12°S and entered the Bureau of Meteorology's (BOM) AOR. [2]
Rapid intensification ensued on 2–3 April, with Aivu becoming a severe tropical cyclone — the Australian-equivalent of a hurricane on the Saffir–Simpson hurricane scale. [2] Though obscured by high-level clouds, an eye likely developed during the overnight of 2 April before becoming well-defined the following day. [4] Early on 3 April, the cyclone attained its peak strength with winds of 205 km/h (125 mph) and a barometric pressure of 935 mbar (hPa; 27.61 inHg). [2] This ranked it as a Category 5 severe tropical cyclone—the highest classification on the Australian intensity scale. [5] The estimate stemmed from the Dvorak technique — a method of analysing a tropical cyclone's intensity using satellite imagery — as values reached T#6.5. [4] Around this time, the JTWC estimated Aivu to have become a Category 4-equivalent cyclone, with one-minute sustained winds of 220 km/h (140 mph). [1] A temporary slowing of forward motion occurred during the intensification phase but was followed by even faster motion than before, with the storm approaching Queensland, Australia at 30 km/h (19 mph). [2]
Some weakening took place as it neared the coast. The cyclone's small eye expanded from 22 km (14 mi) to 34 km (21 mi) as it neared the coast. [6] Aivu ultimately made landfall between Home Hill and Inkerman at 0300 UTC (1:00 p.m. AEST) with a pressure of 957 mbar (hPa; 28.26 inHg). [2] Shortly thereafter, the storm passed over Ayr where a sea level-corrected pressure of 962 mbar (hPa; 28.41 inHg) was measured. [6] The JTWC estimated one-minute sustained winds to have been 185 km/h (115 mph) at this time. [1] In Fredricksfield, a pressure of 959 mb (hPa; 28.32 inHg) was measured in the cyclone's eye about 10 km (6.2 mi) from the center of circulation. [6] Rapid weakening ensued as Aivu moved inland; the JTWC estimated winds to have dropped to 100 km/h (65 mph) within six hours of landfall. [1] The storm passed directly over Charters Towers as it turned to the southwest. Degrading to a rain depression, [2] Aivu continued inland and was last noted by the BOM on 5 April well to the northwest of Longreach. [6]
The first cyclone watch for residents to prepare for Aivu was issued at 0115 UTC (11:15 a.m. AEST) on 2 April for areas between Townsville and Bowen; [7] this gave residents two days to prepare for the cyclone. Regular advisories in the subsequent 48 hours highlighted the likely impacts of the storm and in the hours leading up to Aivu's landfall, residents were advised to seek shelter. [8] Less than three hours after the watch, a cyclone warning was raised for areas between Cooktown and the Whitsunday Islands. At 1800 UTC on 3 April (4:00 a.m. AEST 4 April), the BOM warned that Aivu, "[posed] a major threat." Forecasters expected a destructive storm surge to affect areas between Ayr and Shute Harbour and notified residents that these areas would likely be inundated during the storm. This was followed by a statement advising residents between Townsville and Mackay to, "complete preparations quickly and be prepared to seek shelter in a safe place." [7] The Bureau was later praised for the quality of warnings issued to the public. [8]
On 3 April, a leading supermarket in Ayr reported a major increase in daily sales from A$16,000 to A$60,000, indicating that residents were taking appropriate actions to prepare for Aivu. [8]
The Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) relocated a squadron of fighter jets inland away from the storm. [9]
Early in the storm's existence, it brought heavy rains to the eastern islands of Papua New Guinea, causing major flooding. Jacob Lemeki, a member of the National Parliament, and several others went missing after two vessels disappeared in the storm near the Louisiade Archipelago. [10]
A powerful storm, hurricane-force winds with gusts up to 200 km/h (120 mph) are believed to have impacted areas that experienced the eyewall along the immediate coast. No reliable measurements were available for the area and the highest recorded wind, 118 km/h (73 mph), was well-offshore at Holmes Reef the day before landfall. [6] In addition to destructive winds, the storm produced a large storm surge along Upstart Bay, estimated between 2.5 and 3 m (8.2 and 9.8 ft), that caused severe coastal damage. The highest observed surge was 1.2 m (3.9 ft) in Bowen roughly 100 km (62 mi) southeast of the landfall location. [11]
The cyclone dropped torrential rains across portions of Queensland, namely south of the storm's center. These areas experienced moist, convergent flow with gale-force winds in advance of the cyclone's landfall prolonging the rain-event. While many areas received more than 200 mm (7.9 in), orographic lift along the Clarke Range about 30 km (19 mi) inland greatly enhanced rainfall totals. Exceptionally heavy rains fell west of Mackay with a maximum of 1,082 mm (42.6 in) recorded in Dalrymple Heights (located 200 km (120 mi) south of Aivu's track). The rains in Dalrymple Heights had an average return interval (ARI) of roughly 100 years, though 24-hour accumulations were well in excess of this. Ayr, where Aivu's eye made landfall, experienced a peak hourly rainfall of 71 mm (2.8 in), though this was considered normal for fast moving, intense cyclones. A 24-hour rainfall, with an ARI of 100 years, of 215 mm (8.5 in) was measured in Longreach. [12] Across west-central Queensland, the remnants of Aivu dropped torrential rains along a narrow strip spanning only a few kilometres across. More than 500 mm (20 in) in Whitehill while areas nearby only received 50 mm (2.0 in). In 24 hours, the station recorded more than two years' worth of rain and multiple gauges had to be used due to overflow. [13] Many areas experienced record-high rainfall totals for the month of April due to Aivu. [12]
The heavy rains caused moderate to severe flooding along several rivers in the state. The most significant flooding took place along the Pioneer River, which crested at 12.2 m (40 ft) at Mirani. This was the third-highest value in 30 years. In Mackay, the swollen river rose to 7.8 m (26 ft). The Proserpine River also reached major flood levels while moderate flooding occurred on the Don and Burdekin rivers. Water levels reached 10 m (33 ft) at Inkerman Bridge along the Burdekin River. Heavy rains across the Fitzroy River basin flowed into the Connors and Issac Rivers and the Funnel Creek catchments. Funnel Creek crested at 6 m (20 ft) in Rockhampton on 15 April. The remnants of Aivu triggered additional flooding along the Barcoo, Bulloo, Paroo, and Thomson rivers. [14]
Severe damage to power lines left many areas without electricity, most notably Burdekin where repairs were expected to take up to two weeks. [15]
Six sugar mills in the path of the storm were severely damaged or destroyed by Aivu. Roughly 20 percent of the national sugar crop was lost in the storm. Alongside flooding in the days preceding the cyclone, nearly 80 percent of cotton and virtually all vegetable crops in Queensland and New South Wales were damaged or destroyed. [16] Roughly 30 percent of the 300,000 mango trees affected by the storm were damaged, with many stripped bare of their fruit-bearing branches. The worst effects were felt in Burdekin where trees were uprooted and/or defoliated. [17] For the second time in just over a year, the Endeavour Foundation in Home Hill lost nearly its entire crop to a cyclone. Only 130,000 of the 750,000 planted capsicum and eggplant seeds were recovered, with losses reaching A$300,000. [18]
Throughout Queensland, damage from Aivu amounted to A$200 million (1997 AUD; US$156 million). [19] Of this total, at least A$25–26 million of the damage was insured (normalised value of A$138 million [20] ) while A$12–15 million was uninsured or underinsured. [21] One person was killed and thirteen others were injured. [19]
Prior to Cyclone Aivu, widespread flooding affected much of New South Wales with some rivers reaching their highest levels since 1974. Though southern areas of the state began to dry out as Aivu moved inland, the cyclone exacerbated conditions in northern areas, with rainfall reaching 400 mm (16 in) in some areas. Caravan parks along the Queanbeyan and Murrumbidgee rivers had to be evacuated. The Murrumbidgee River in particular was expected to crest at near-record heights, prompting additional evacuations at farms. [22]
More than 700 mm (28 in) of rain fell in Eungella along the Queensland border, triggering massive landslides that cut off all roads to the town. The main road to Eungella was severely impacted and expected to be blocked for several weeks. Several vehicles, including a train and bus, were also stranded in the area. Multiple bridge wash outs further isolated areas. [15] Floodwaters also cut off the small town of Coraki from surrounding areas. [23] Throughout the state, flooding was responsible for two fatalities. [20]
Immediately following Aivu's landfall, a state of emergency was declared for parts of Queensland. [9] The severity of damage in the Shire of Burdekin prompted a local and federal emergency declaration for the area. In response, 140 personnel from Delta Company of the Australian Army were dispatched as Defense Aid to the Civil Community by the afternoon of 4 April. [15] [24] They set up an emergency headquarters at the Ayr racecouse and assisted with cleanup operations in Ayr itself and Home Hill. Delta Company's operation was complete by 7 April, [24] with 98 percent of damaged homes having tarpaulins placed on their roof. A handful of engineers and liaison officers from the company stayed behind for additional inspections. [15]
On 7 April, a Cessna aircraft carrying five people crashed in the remote Cravens Peak cattle station near the Queensland–Northern Territory border. Though not caused by the cyclone, a woman on the plane was flying due to a lack of hospital access resulting from floods caused by Aivu. [25] Meanwhile, in Eungella, New South Wales, food, water, and medical supplies had to be airlifted by a RAAF Bell UH-1 Iroquois helicopter because it was inaccessible by ground. [15]
On 11 April, an appeal for aid was made for farmers in the Burdekin and Gympie regions; only authorities and associated organisations were allowed to contribute. The Department of Primary Industries monitored all crops affected by the storm for signs of a Sclerotinia outbreak and preemptively sprayed them to prevent the disease. Across the state, 3,500 insurance claims were made by 12 April, with this total expected to reach 9,000. [26] Clean up and restoration efforts cost approximately A$10 million (US$8.4 million) throughout Queensland. [21]
Following an assessment of the BOM's warning performance during Cyclone Aivu, in which they received praise from most, a new scale for tropical cyclone intensities was to be implemented starting with the 1989–90 cyclone season. This five-level scale was designed to better inform the public of the degree of danger storms posed. [27]
Typhoon Gay, also known as the Kavali Cyclone of 1989, was a small but powerful tropical cyclone which caused more than 800 fatalities in and around the Gulf of Thailand in November 1989. The worst typhoon to affect the Malay Peninsula in thirty-five years, Gay originated from a monsoon trough over the Gulf of Thailand in early November. Owing to favorable atmospheric conditions, the storm rapidly intensified, attaining winds over 120 km/h (75 mph) by 3 November. Later that day, Gay became the first typhoon since 1891 to make landfall in Thailand, striking Chumphon Province with winds of 185 km/h (115 mph). The small storm emerged into the Bay of Bengal and gradually reorganized over the following days as it approached southeastern India. On 8 November, Gay attained its peak intensity as a Category 5-equivalent cyclone with winds of 260 km/h (160 mph). The cyclone then moved ashore near Kavali, Andhra Pradesh. Rapid weakening ensued inland, and Gay dissipated over Maharashtra early on 10 November.
The 1992 North Indian Ocean cyclone season was unofficially the most active year on record for the basin, with 10 tropical storms developing, according to the Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC). There are two main seas in the North Indian Ocean – the Bay of Bengal to the east of the Indian subcontinent – and the Arabian Sea to the west of India. The official Regional Specialized Meteorological Centre in this basin is the India Meteorological Department (IMD), while the JTWC releases unofficial advisories. An average of four to six storms form in the North Indian Ocean every season with peaks in May and November. Cyclones occurring between the meridians 45°E and 100°E are included in the season by the IMD.
The 1989 Pacific typhoon season was the first of six consecutive years of above-average activity in the Western Pacific. It was an extremely active season spawning 32 tropical storms, 20 typhoons and five super typhoons. It has no official bounds; it ran year-round in 1989, but most tropical cyclones tend to form in the northwestern Pacific Ocean between May and November. These dates conventionally delimit the period of each year when most tropical cyclones form in the northwestern Pacific Ocean. The first storm, Winona, formed on January 15, while the final storm, Jack, dissipated on December 27. This season was also quite a deadly season that were caused by a few notable storms such as Tropical Storm Cecil, which was the worst storm to impact Vietnam in over 50 years, and Typhoon Gay, which directly impacted the Malay Peninsula as the worst typhoon in 35 years. Both of these storms make up around half of the total fatalities of the entire season alone.
Severe Tropical Storm Kammuri, known in the Philippines as Tropical Storm Lagalag, killed hundreds of people in the wake of a deadly flood season in China. The system developed from a large monsoonal system that persisted toward the end of July 2002 near the Philippines. On August 2, a tropical depression formed off the northwest coast of Luzon and moved west-northwestward. Late on August 3, it intensified into Tropical Storm Kammuri off the coast of Hong Kong. A weakening ridge turned the storm northward toward the coast of China. The storm made landfall with late on August 4, after reaching peak winds of 100 km/h (65 mph). The system dissipated over the mountainous coastline of eastern China and merged with a cold front on August 7.
The 1995 North Indian Ocean cyclone season was below-average and was primarily confined to the autumn months, with the exception of three short-lived deep depressions in May. There were eight depressions in the basin, which is Indian Ocean north of the equator. The basin is subdivided between the Bay of Bengal and the Arabian Sea on the east and west coasts of India, respectively. Storms were tracked by the India Meteorological Department (IMD), which is the basin's Regional Specialized Meteorological Center, as well as the American-based Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC) on an unofficial basis.
The 1996 North Indian Ocean cyclone season featured several deadly tropical cyclones, with over 2,000 people killed during the year. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) – the Regional Specialized Meteorological Center for the northern Indian Ocean as recognized by the World Meteorological Organization – issued warnings for nine tropical cyclones in the region. Storms were also tracked on an unofficial basis by the American-based Joint Typhoon Warning Center, which observed one additional storm. The basin is split between the Bay of Bengal off the east coast of India and the Arabian Sea off the west coast. During the year, the activity was affected by the monsoon season, with most storms forming in June or after October.
The 1989 North Indian Ocean cyclone season was a below-average season in annual cycle of tropical cyclone formation. Despite this, the season had the second highest Accumulated Cyclone Energy in the basin on record behind only 2019 and 2023. The season has no official bounds but cyclones tend to form between April and December. These dates conventionally delimit the period of each year when most tropical cyclones form in the northern Indian Ocean. There are two main seas in the North Indian Ocean—the Bay of Bengal to the east of the Indian subcontinent and the Arabian Sea to the west of India. The official Regional Specialized Meteorological Centre in this basin is the India Meteorological Department (IMD), while the Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC) releases unofficial advisories. An average of five tropical cyclones form in the North Indian Ocean every season with peaks in May and November. Cyclones occurring between the meridians 45°E and 100°E are included in the season by the IMD.
Severe Tropical Cyclone Orson was the fourth most intense cyclone ever recorded in the Australian region. Forming out of a tropical low on 17 April 1989, Orson gradually intensified as it tracked towards the west. After attaining Category 5 intensity on 20 April, the storm began to track southward and accelerated. The following day, the cyclone reached its peak intensity with winds of 250 km/h (160 mph) and a barometric pressure of 904 hPa (mbar). Orson maintained this intensity for nearly two days before making landfall near Dampier. The cyclone rapidly weakened after landfall as it accelerated to the southeast. After moving into the Great Australian Bight on 24 April, the storm dissipated.
The 1988–89 Australian region cyclone season was a slightly above average tropical cyclone season. It officially started on 1 November 1988, and officially ended on 30 April 1989. The regional tropical cyclone operational plan defines a "tropical cyclone year" separately from a "tropical cyclone season"; the "tropical cyclone year" began on 1 July 1988 and ended on 30 June 1989.
Severe Tropical Cyclone Olivia was a powerful cyclone, the 13th named storm of the 1995–96 Australian region cyclone season, which formed on 3 April 1996 to the north of Australia's Northern Territory. The storm moved generally to the southwest, gradually intensifying off Western Australia. On 8 April, Olivia intensified into a severe tropical cyclone and subsequently turned more to the south, steered by a passing trough. On the morning of 10 April, passing over Barrow Island off the Western Australian northwest coast, Olivia produced the strongest non-tornadic winds ever recorded, with peak gusts of 408 kilometres per hour (254 mph). On the same day the cyclone made landfall on the Pilbara coast, about 75 kilometres (47 mi) north-northwest of Pannawonica. The storm quickly weakened over land, dissipating over the Great Australian Bight on 12 April.
Severe Tropical Cyclone Rewa affected six countries and caused 22 deaths on its 28-day journey across the South Pacific Ocean in December 1993 and January 1994. Cyclone Rewa developed from a tropical disturbance on 28 December south of Nauru. After forming, Rewa moved southwest through the Solomon Islands, crossing the 160th meridian east from the South Pacific basin into the Australian region. The cyclone began to strengthen steadily and turned southward, paralleling the eastern Australian coast through 31 December. Rewa reached its initial peak intensity as a Category 4 tropical cyclone on 2 January. It maintained this intensity for about 12 hours before an increase in wind shear induced its weakening by 3 January. The cyclone turned southeastward and moved back into the South Pacific basin on 4 January, before it passed over New Caledonia between 5–6 January. After affecting New Caledonia, Rewa weakened to a tropical depression and turned northwestward before re-entering the Australian basin on 10 January.
Cyclonic Storm Keila was the first named storm of the 2011 North Indian Ocean cyclone season. A weak system for much of its duration, Keila developed in the western Arabian Sea in late October 2011, amid an area of marginally favorable conditions. On November 2, it briefly organized enough to be classified as a cyclonic storm, which has maximum sustained winds of at least 65 km/h (40 mph). Given the name Keila by the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the storm quickly moved ashore southern Oman near Salalah, and weakened while meandering over the country. The remnants soon after moved offshore, dissipating on November 4.
Typhoon Rammasun, known in the Philippines as Typhoon Florita, was the first of four typhoons to contribute to heavy rainfall and deadly flooding in the Philippines in July 2002. The fifth tropical cyclone of the 2002 Pacific typhoon season, Rammasun developed around the same time as Typhoon Chataan, only further to the west. The storm tracked northwestward toward Taiwan, and on July 2 it attained its peak intensity with winds of 155 km/h (96 mph). Rammasun turned northward, passing east of Taiwan and China. In Taiwan, the outer rainbands dropped rainfall that alleviated drought conditions. In China, the rainfall occurred after previously wet conditions, resulting in additional flooding, although damage was less than expected; there was about $85 million in crop and fishery damage in one province.
Severe Tropical Cyclone John was an intense tropical cyclone that rapidly deepened offshore before devastating areas of Western Australia. The system was the second cyclone and first severe tropical cyclone of the active 1999–00 Australian region cyclone season. Cyclone John developed from a monsoon trough positioned northwest of Australia on 9 December 1999. As it moved to the west and later south as the result of a subtropical ridge under favourable conditions, the cyclone was able to rapidly intensify. John reached peak intensity on 14 December as a Category 5 cyclone on the Australian cyclone scale, the highest rating possible. Cyclone John later began interacting with a mid–latitude trough, which slightly weakened the cyclone prior to making landfall near Whim Creek early on 15 December. Increasingly unfavourable conditions further inland resulted in the cyclone's rapid weakening, before it dissipated during the next day.
Severe Tropical Cyclone Rusty was a strong, slow-moving tropical cyclone that produced record duration gale-force winds in Port Hedland, Western Australia in late February 2013. Originating as an area of low pressure on 22 February well to the northwest of the Kimberley region of Western Australia, the precursor to Rusty steadily developed within a favourable environment. Gradually decreasing surface pressures in the region signaled intensification and the low was classified as Tropical Cyclone Rusty on 23 February. Although a large, sprawling system, near-record high sea surface temperatures enabled Rusty to quickly deepen. Becoming essentially stationary on 25 February, the system acquired hurricane-force winds as its core improved in structure. The cyclone achieved its peak intensity two days later with maximum ten-minute sustained winds of 165 km/h (105 mph) and a barometric pressure of 944 hPa. Thereafter, interaction with land caused its core to collapse before the system made landfall near Pardoo Station. Rusty weakened below cyclone strength on 28 February. Its remnants persisted over Western Australia for several more days before being absorbed into an extratropical cyclone on 5 March.
Severe Tropical Cyclone Joy struck Australia in late 1990, causing the third highest floods on record in Rockhampton, Queensland. This cyclone began as a weak tropical low near the Solomon Islands, and initially moved westward. On 18 December, it was named Joy, becoming the 2nd named storm of the 1990–91 Australian region cyclone season. After turning southwest, Joy developed a well-defined eye and strengthened to maximum sustained winds of 165 km/h (103 mph) while approaching Cairns in Far North Queensland. Brushing the city with strong winds, the cyclone soon weakened and turned southeast. Joy later curved back southwest, making landfall near Townsville, Queensland on 26 December. It dissipated the next day; remnant moisture continued as torrential rainfall over Queensland for two weeks.
Tropical Low Fletcher was a weak system that produced torrential rains over parts of Queensland, Australia in February 2014. Originating as tropical low over the Timor Sea on 30 January, Fletcher quickly became an organised system as it moved over the Top End region of the Northern Territory. Once over the Gulf of Carpentaria on 2 February, deep convection formed near its center and the following day it became a tropical cyclone. With peak winds estimated at 65 km/h (40 mph), the storm made landfall in Queensland before weakening to a low. Over the following week, the system's movement became slow and erratic. Executing three loops, the former cyclone meandered over the southeastern Gulf of Carpentaria before accelerating southwest and later west. Fletcher was last noted on 12 February over the Alice Springs District in the Northern Territory.
The October 1996 India cyclone had an unusual and protracted path that spanned much of the northern Indian Ocean. It originated in a weather disturbance that formed on October 14 in the southern Bay of Bengal, off India's east coast. Moving westward, it struck Andhra Pradesh on October 17 as a well-defined low-pressure area. It crossed southern India and reorganized in the Arabian Sea off the western coast of India. The system developed into a depression on October 22 and quickly intensified while moving northward. By October 24, the cyclone approached hurricane intensity as it developed an eye, reaching peak winds of at least 110 km/h (70 mph). On October 25, the storm abruptly stalled and weakened off Gujarat, and progressed southwestward as a minimal storm. It was no longer classifiable as a tropical cyclone by October 28, although its remnants persisted until November 2 when they dissipated east of Somalia.
Severe Tropical Cyclone Fergus was a tropical cyclone, later becoming an extratropical cyclone, that affected islands in the south-west Pacific Ocean. It lasted from December 23, 1996, to January 1, 1997, and reached speeds of up to 165 kilometers per hour, or 90 miles per hour. In addition to its winds, the storm caused heavy rains and severe flooding, causing significant damage to property in some areas.
Typhoon Cary, known as Typhoon Ising in the Philippines, was the second of two tropical cyclones to affect Vietnam in a week. An area of disturbed weather developed southwest of Pohnpei on August 6, 1987. The system initially remained disorganized, but by August 14, Cary had attained tropical storm intensity. After initially moving north-northwest, Cary turned west-northwest, although intensification was slow to occur. On August 15, Cary was upgraded into a typhoon, and on August 17, the typhoon peaked in intensity. Typhoon Cary then made landfall in northern Luzon while at peak intensity. Across the Philippines, 954 houses were damaged and an additional 89 were destroyed, which left 55,567 people, or 13,247 families that were either homeless or otherwise sought shelter. Five people died in the country while damage totaled $5.58 million (1987 USD), including $1.45 million from agriculture and $4.13 million from infrastructure. The storm weakened over land, but re-intensified into a typhoon over the South China Sea. On August 21, Typhoon Cary passed just south of Hainan, where hundreds of homes were damaged but no fatalities occurred, and subsequently entered the Gulf of Tonkin. The storm weakened as it approached Vietnam, and on August 23, the storm dissipated inland over Laos. Across Vietnam, almost 40,000 ha of land were flooded or destroyed. Twenty people were killed and many others were injured.
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