Typhoons

Typhoons are powerful storms with constant winds.  They are located in the Western Pacific Ocean and start near the equator.  They move westward gathering intensity and size.  The heavy rains and powerful winds of a typhoon can cause severe land and property damage.  Typhoon Bilis is a good example of a typhoon.  Typhoon Bilis roared across Taiwan in August of 2000.  It crashed over power lines and trees, shutting down one of the world's most crowded ports.  Many people were forced from their homes and into makeshift shelters.  Bilis was an especially strong storm, but there were different reports of its power.  The Joint Typhoon Warning Center in Pearl Harbor said that it had winds as high as 161 mph, making it a Category 5 hurricane.  The Taiwan Central Weather Bureau said that the winds measured 118 mph. 

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