Ep 12. Killer Typhoon

NOVA season 41 episode 12, titled "Killer Typhoon," explores the devastating aftermath of Typhoon Haiyan, which struck the Philippines in November 2013. The typhoon was one of the strongest and most destructive storms ever recorded, with wind speeds reaching up to 195 miles per hour and a storm surge of over 20 feet. The episode follows scientists and meteorologists as they try to understand how this storm became so strong and why it caused such catastrophic damage.

The first part of the episode focuses on the science behind typhoons and how they form. Typhoons, like all tropical storms, need warm ocean water and low wind shear to develop. The episode explains how warm water fuels the storm, while wind shear can disrupt its formation. The science of predicting typhoons is also examined, with scientists using satellites, buoys, and other instruments to track storms.

The episode then goes back to November 2013, when Typhoon Haiyan was just starting to form. It follows the story of a fisherman named Jun, who lives in a small village in the Philippines. Jun and his family are well aware of the dangers of typhoons, but they have never seen one as powerful as Haiyan. As the storm approaches, Jun and his family do what they can to prepare, but they know that their village is directly in the path of the storm.

As Haiyan makes landfall, the episode shows the terrifying power of the storm. It tears apart buildings and sends debris flying through the air. The storm surge floods entire villages, sweeping away everything in its path. Jun and his family barely survive, and they are left to face the grim realities of life in the aftermath of such a devastating storm.

The second half of the episode focuses on the efforts to understand why Typhoon Haiyan was so strong and why it caused so much damage. Scientists study the data and the footage from the storm to try to piece together what happened. They discover that Haiyan was fueled by unusually warm water in the Pacific Ocean, which allowed it to intensify rapidly. They also find that the storm surge was exacerbated by the shape of the coastline, which funneled the water into narrow channels and made it more destructive.

The episode ends with a discussion of what can be done to prepare for future typhoons. Scientists and engineers are working on new ways to predict storms and improve warning systems. Communities are building stronger structures and improving evacuation plans. But as the episode shows, typhoons like Haiyan remain one of the most powerful and destructive forces on the planet, capable of causing unimaginable devastation.

Overall, "Killer Typhoon" is a gripping and informative episode of NOVA that explores the science and the human impact of one of the most destructive storms in history. It is a testament to the power of nature, and a sobering reminder of the need to prepare for the worst.