The Image above shows me getting pounded by spray driven by the furious winds of super typhoon Nabi in Okinawa. Photo courtesy of Geoff Mackley.
The northwest Pacific spawns more tropical storms than any other area of the world and also holds the record for the largest and strongest tropical cyclone ever recorded, typhoon Tip in 1979. In 1997 there were 11 super typhoons with sustained winds speeds over 130kts according to the Joint Typhoon Warning Centre.
On average 31 storms form a year accounting for almost one third of the total in the world. They can form at any time of year but the peak months are between July and November. It is at this time of year that I closely monitor satellite images and weather reports to determine whether a typhoon is bearing down on land and whether I can get there to cover this destructive force of nature.
Typhoons can strike anywhere between Japan and the Philippines including China, Korea, Taiwan and Vietnam. If there is a major storm heading to any of these countries I will make sure I am in its path to record and publish pictures and film in the most accurate and timely fashion as is possible.
Intercepting typhoons is a difficult, dangerous and high stress activity but the rewards are well worth the effort. There are numerous obstacles to overcome including flights, visa, road blocks, police as well as the dangers associated with 130 knot winds, storm surge and flash floods. Hopefully as you will see from my videos and photos once all the obstacles are overcome the hard work is more than worth it to be able to witness nature at its most violent and experience the hospitality and hardiness of the people who live on Asia's typhoon blasted shores.
The eyewall of typhoon Xangsane pummels the town of Hoi An in central Vietnam, October 2006
