Typhoon Skip

The first of two tropical cyclones to form in the basin during November 1988, Typhoon Skip originated from the winter-time monsoon trough dominated by easterly trade winds, a common signal of a La Nina event. Several areas of low pressure developed along the axis of the monsoonal trough. On November 1, an area of disturbed weather was noted near the Philippines; however, this would spawn Tropical Storm Tess instead. The next day, a second area of convection was noticed on weather satellite around southwest of Guam. At 00:00 UTC on November 3, the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) started tracking the system. Several hours later, the Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC) followed suit. Satellite pictures at the time showed a well-defined center of circulation at the lower levels of the atmosphere and distinct curved banding features. Based on satellite images, intensity estimates of , the JTWC issued a Tropical Cyclone Formation Alert (TCFA) at 07:00 UTC. Four hours later, the TCFA was re-issued. That evening, following an increase in satellite intensity estimates, the latter of which named it Skip. Tropical Storm Skip steadily intensified over a period of several days. Early November 4, the JMA upgraded Skip into a severe tropical storm. Six hours later, the JTWC estimated that Skip attained typhoon intensity, Continuing westward, the JTWC suggested that the typhoon attained winds equal to a Category 4 hurricane on the SSHWS at 00:00 UTC on November 6. At 06:00 UTC, the JTWC increased the intensity of Skip to , just shy of super typhoon intensity. Six hours later, the JMA reported that Skip reached its peak intensity, with winds of and a barometric pressure of . Early on November 7, Skip made landfall over Samar in the eastern Philippines. During the evening of November 7, Skip emerged into the South China Sea as a typhoon and severe tropical storm, according to both the JTWC and JMA respectively. Following a decrease in forward speed, Skip moved west-northwest to the south of a subtropical ridge for the next four days. By early November 10, the JTWC assessed the intensity at while the JMA reported winds of . Rapid weakening then began; however, and the JTWC downgraded Skip to a tropical storm later that day. After Skip turned towards the southwest, the JTWC stopped tracking the system early on November 11. After turning west on November 11, and then finally moved to the northwest, Skip dissipated while the center was still offshore, about east-southeast of Danang on November 12. The remnants of Typhoon Skip continued the linger over the Gulf of Tonkin before fully dissipating. ==Preparations==

On November 6, storm warnings were posted in Samar, Leyte, and much of the Visayas chain, as well as, for the Bicol Peninsula on Luzon, which was just reeling from the effects of Typhoon Ruby and Tropical Storm Tess, in preparation for the typhoon. The next day, this alert was expanded into the northeastern provinces of Mindanao Island. Simultaneously, a lower level alert was issued for half of Luzon, including the capital of Manila. Small crafts were ordered to stay at port. Philippine Airlines canceled 75 domestic flights as the storm approached. The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) suspended all passenger ship service to ports in the Visayas Islands on November 6, stranding thousands of passengers in Manila and other major ports throughout the nation. Select Military Airlift Command flights to Japan and the United States left early to avoid the core of the typhoon. The city of Manila ordered all schools to close for a day. ==Impact and aftermath==

Across the Leyte island, the storm knocked nearly 200,000 people without power On Cebu island, particularly in Cebu City, 80% of the city was under water at the height of the storm, Elsewhere, three people drowned on Marinduque island. Skip triggered widespread flooding on the island of Palawan, especially on the southern part of the remote island. There, seventy four people were killed and ninety-five were initially listed missing. In a small hamlet of Gilligan on the island of Palawan, the Philippine Red Cross reported that 900 people lost their lives; however, authorities insisted only eight people were killed Nearby, eight casualties occurred in Mindoro. Seventeen homes were demolished, Throughout the city, ten people, six of whom were children, were killed. and at minimum 20 were wounded. Unlike during Ruby, Manila avoided the inner core of Typhoon Skip, However, the suburb of Pasig, already inundated by Typhoon Ruby a couple weeks prior, faced additional flooding, resulting in the deaths of seven children. Throughout the metro area, thirteen people drowned, all in three suburbs. A freighter, the Sea Runner, sank in port on Bohol Island due to strong winds and heavy waves from Skip. All 17 crewmen escaped. However, the ship's cargo of 11,250 bags of cement was lost. In all, the storm directly affected 3,027,601 people, or 318,968 families. Nationwide, 146 people were injured. Infrastructure damage totaled $106.2 million (1988 USD), while damage to agriculture accumulated to $16.5 million and damage totaled $8.9 million in private properties. Overall, Skip was responsible for $131.8 million in damage. Additionally, 144,136 people or 28,824 families were evacuated to shelters as a result of the flooding. In all, 237 people were killed due to Typhoon Skip. Since many roads in the devastated area were impassable, officials were forced to ferry relief goods to stranded residents by small boats and military helicopters. The Canadian Red Cross donated CD$5,000, while the city of Ottawa donated CD$150,000. ==See also==