User:IrishSurfer21/Merbok

The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) first began monitoring a tropical depression that had formed west of Wake Island, at 00:00 UTC on September 9.^[3] However, the agency downgraded the system back to a low-pressure area about six hours later.^[4] The disturbance would remain a low-pressure area for around twelve hours before being upgraded back to a tropical depression at 06:00 UTC the following day, while its forward motion was nearly stationary.^[5] At 17:00 UTC that day, the Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC) issued a Tropical Cyclone Formation Alert on the system as it displayed deep convection along the southern edge of a low-level circulation center. As the storm was located within a favorable environment consisting of warm sea surface temperatures of 29–30°C (84–86°F), low to moderate vertical wind shear, and strong equatorward outflow, tropical cyclogenesis was expected within the following 24 hours.^[6] The JTWC upgraded the system to a tropical depression roughly four hours later, and began issuing advisories on it under the designation 15W.^[7] Despite organizing within a favorable environment for development, the depression was difficult to track as its circulation center was obscured.^[8] Late on September 11, the JTWC upgraded the system to a tropical storm, as its maximum sustained winds reached 65 km/h (40 mph).^[9] Around this time, the storm had robust deep convection, however, its circulation center became exposed and organization was limited due to strong diffluence.^[10] At 00:00 UTC on September 12, the JMA upgraded the depression into a tropical storm, as it achieved 10-minute sustained winds of 65 km/h (40 mph), and gave it the name Merbok, which was contributed by Malaysia and refers to a spotted-neck dove.^[11][12]

By 12:00 UTC that same day, Merbok attained severe tropical storm status, according to the JMA.^[13] Around this time, satellite imagery showed that the storm had significantly deepened and consolidated.^[14] At 18:00 UTC on September 13, Merbok was upgraded into a typhoon by the JMA.^[15]

The extratropical remnants of Merbok affected 1,300 miles (2,090 km) of coastline in western Alaska, affecting 35 communities with severe storm surge, resulting in coastal flooding, erosion, and infrastructural damage.^[16] Strong winds also affected the western coastline of Alaska. The highest wind gust was observed in Cape Romanzof—measuring at 91 mph (147 km/h).^[17] The cyclone produced a 54 ft (16 m) storm surge, which heavily affected the communities of Golovin, Hooper Bay, Newtok, Nome, and Scammon Bay.^[18] Golovin recorded a storm surge of 12.5 ft (3.8 m) above mean water level, surpassing the record water level observed in 1913.^[19] Nome recorded its highest tide in over 50 years, surpassing levels observed during record-flooding events in 1974 and 2011.^[20]

Wind gusts of up to 81 mph (130 km/h) occurred in the Aleutian Islands, though contact to residents of Adak could not be established during damage surveys.^[21] The Yukon–Kuskokwim Delta recorded a maximum gust of 80 mph (129 km/h), however, the majority of the damage in the area was as a result of coastal flooding and erosion.^[22] The town of Newtok, located along the Kuskowim Delta, suffered severe coastal flooding. The entirety of Newtok was flooded, inundating 12 houses which left 35 residents homeless. At least 60 people were evacuated to the Newtok School. The Newtok Airport was isolated by floodwaters. About 100 ft (30.5 m) of coastline was eroded, as well as more than 10 ft (3 m) of bank along the Kuskowim River. Waves swept away a 5,000 gallon (18,927 L) fuel tank, alongside several empty fuel tanks and boats. A number of boats also sank.^[23] In Chevak, 90% of around 100 boats used for gathering food were damaged or destroyed, resulting in food shortages.^[24] Despite the destruction to boats, damage to buildings to Chevak was considered "minimal".^[25] Hurricane-force winds affected Hooper Bay, where residents reported the largest tide to ever occur in the village. Several homes in the village were damaged, one of which was swept off its foundation. A sinkhole formed underneath another damaged house, rendering it a total loss.^[26] More than 250 residents the village fled to a local school for shelter as water levels rose.^[27] The cost to repair roads in Hooper Bay totaled $15.9 million (2024 USD).^{[28][Note 1]}

• Weather of 2022
• Tropical cyclones in 2022
• Hurricane Ioke (2006)
• Typhoon Phanfone (2014)
• November 2014 Bering Sea cyclone