Super Typhoon Haima (Lawin) Recap: Northern Philippines Hammered

Super Typhoon Haima became a Category 5 equivalent tropical cyclone, then made landfall in the northern Philippines as a slightly weaker typhoon bringing damaging winds, flooding rainfall and storm surge flooding in October 2016.

(MORE: Haima/Lawin Turns Deadly in the Philippines | Hurricane Central)

PAGASA - the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Service Administration - said that the center of Haima, known as "Lawin" in the Philippines, came ashore around 11:00 p.m. local time October 19 near Baguio Point in the Cagayan Province. Maximum sustained winds were 140 mph at that time, according to an advisory issued by the Joint Typhoon Warning Center.

Reports from James Reynolds in Tuguegarao City show the area was lashed by strong winds and heavy rain. 

Debris was flying through the streets of Tuguegarao City, and structural damage was considerable, according to storm chaser Josh Morgerman.

Baguio City, home to about 350,000 residents, picked up over 14 inches (361 millimeters) of rain on October 20, alone. Tuguegarao City had picked up a storm total of 9.65 inches (245 millimeters) of rain that day.

Wind data is somewhat sparse over the far northern Philippines. Laoag reported a peak gust to 55 mph Thursday. Undoubtedly, much stronger winds occurred near the landfall point in northeast Luzon.

Haima/Lawin was the first Category 4 or stronger typhoon to landfall in far northeast Luzon in just over five years, since Nalgae did so in September 2011.

Sadly, there have been almost two dozen other typhoons as strong to landfall in northeast Luzon since 1950.

Haima then made its final landfall on October 21 east of Hong Kong as a Category 1 equivalent storm with estimated winds of 75 mph, according to the U.S. Joint Typhoon Warning Center.

(MORE: Countries Most Hit By Tropical Cyclones)

Haima was born as a tropical depression south of Guam early on October 15 (local time) and became a typhoon just northeast of the Yap Islands the following morning. 

Maximum sustained winds in Haima increased from 85 mph late Sunday morning to 160 mph by Tuesday morning (U.S. time).

(IMAGES: Stunning Imagery of Super Typhoon Haima)

The outflow of winds aloft exhausting the top of Haima, low wind shear and warm, deep ocean water set the stage for Haima's rapid intensification. 

(MORE: Typhoon Alley...Where the Most Intense Tropical Cyclones Most Frequently Happen)

After topping out at Category 5 intensity late Tuesday-early Wednesday, Haima weakened a bit just before making landfall on northern Luzon Island in the northern Philippines. 

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