Surviving Super Typhoon Terror (Full Episode) | Gathering Storm | National Geographic

Key Concepts

• Typhoon Hagibis: A powerful and rapidly intensifying typhoon that caused significant damage in Japan and subsequently transformed into an extra-tropical cyclone impacting the Bering Sea.
• Rapid Intensification: A meteorological phenomenon where a tropical cyclone's wind speeds increase dramatically in a short period.
• Extra-tropical Cyclone: A storm system that forms outside of the tropics, powered by temperature differences rather than warm ocean water.
• Bering Sea: A notoriously dangerous fishing ground known for its extreme weather conditions.
• King Crab Season: A critical period for Alaskan crab fishermen, highly dependent on favorable weather.
• Great Circle Route: A major shipping lane connecting Asia and North America, often traversing storm-prone areas.
• Search and Rescue (SAR): Coast Guard operations to assist vessels in distress.
• Storm Surge: An abnormal rise of water generated by a storm, over and above the predicted astronomical tide.
• Fujiwhara Effect: A phenomenon where two large storms within a certain distance of each other can begin to circle each other, altering their tracks.

Summary

The Genesis of Hagibis and its Devastation in Japan

The video begins by introducing Captain Rick Shellford, a veteran fisherman from Dutch Harbor, Alaska, preparing for the 2019 red king crab season. Unbeknownst to him, a massive storm is brewing in the Western Pacific. At the Joint Typhoon Warning Center in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, Lieutenant Caitlin Fine and her colleagues are tracking a rapidly intensifying storm named Hagibis, a Filipino word meaning "speed." Hagibis undergoes "explosive" and "terrifyingly rapid" intensification, increasing its wind speeds by 100 miles per hour in 24 hours, becoming a Category 5 super typhoon and one of the largest ever recorded.

Initially predicted to pass north of Guam and head towards Asia, the forecast models shift dramatically, indicating a direct hit on Tokyo, Japan. Japan issues its highest level of warning, with a third of its population advised to evacuate. Vessels filming for National Geographic, like the oil tanker BW Shinano, are forced to alter their routes to avoid the storm. Hagibis makes landfall in Japan, de-intensifying to a Category 2 hurricane equivalent but still causing catastrophic flooding due to an "unprecedented volume of water." This results in $15 billion in damage and 98 fatalities, with flooding and mudslides being the primary killers rather than high winds.

Hagibis's Transformation and Impact on the Bering Sea

After devastating Japan, Hagibis transforms into an extra-tropical cyclone, no longer fueled by warm tropical waters but by extreme temperature differences. It enters the jet stream and is catapulted northeast towards the Aleutian Islands and the Bering Sea, the domain of the Alaskan King Crab Fleet. The National Weather Service in Anchorage issues urgent warnings to the fishing fleet, predicting waves in excess of 40 feet and winds of 70 knots.

Faced with the choice of riding out the storm at sea or crowding into port, many crab boats, including the Kari Marie, opt for shelter in Dutch Harbor. This leads to a "tight squeeze" with the risk of boats smashing into each other. Captain Rick Shellford and his crew meticulously secure the Aleutian Lady, emphasizing the importance of strong tie-ups to prevent damage. The Pinnacle uses its time in port to pre-bait its pots, a task normally done en route to fishing grounds.

The US Coast Guard's Response and the Double Storm Threat

The US Coast Guard, with its ex-salvage cutter Alex Haley, prepares to provide search and rescue cover. Commander Benjamin Golightly positions the Alex Haley in Beaver Inlet to be ready to assist fishing vessels operating in the Bering Sea. The Alex Haley practices helicopter maneuvers for SAR operations in challenging conditions, with winds over 30-35 knots and seas over 8-10 feet significantly degrading launch capabilities.

A critical development occurs as Hagibis, now massive, begins to interact with another storm system from Russia. This "rare phenomenon" of two large storms within 1,000 miles can alter their tracks unpredictably. Hagibis funnels colder air from Siberia and dry air, while the second storm, influenced by Hagibis, is steered directly towards the crab fleet. This combined threat means the fleet, which had "lucked out" and missed the worst conditions previously, now faces a direct hit.

The Great Circle Route and the Ardmore Dauntless

The video highlights the dangers faced by vessels on the Great Circle Route, a major shipping lane between the USA and Asia. The oil tanker Ardmore Dauntless, carrying canola oil from Portland, Oregon, to South Korea, finds itself on a route directly into storms stirred up by Hagibis. Despite advanced weather systems, Captain Isaac faces waves of over 22 feet and later up to 30 feet. The transcript emphasizes the vulnerability of ships to beam seas, which can lead to taking on water and sinking. The Ardmore Dauntless navigates through these conditions for 18 consecutive stormy days, drawing on experience to steer a more sheltered route and eventually reaching its destination safely, albeit late. The narrative draws a parallel to the 2004 Selendang Ayu disaster, where a merchant ship ran aground and broke apart on this route, with the Alex Haley being involved in the rescue.

The King Crab Season Commences Amidst Lingering Storms

Despite the severe weather, the king crab season is set to open. Captain Rick Shellford expresses his excitement to finally be at sea, acknowledging the inherent risks and the "brutal" conditions. The Aleutian Lady experiences gusts up to 45 knots and seas up to 16 feet, forcing them to "jog" and try to sleep amidst the boat's movement. The Canadian Navy vessel HMCS Ottawa, returning from a tour enforcing sanctions on North Korea, also encounters rough seas as it heads home to British Columbia, facing waves of up to six meters. The crew of the Ottawa, accustomed to challenging conditions, uses their vessel's size to punch through waves, though it impacts routine operations and comfort.

The Pinnacle and the Aleutian Lady's Success

On the Pinnacle, Captain Mark Casto and his crew continue fishing in treacherous conditions, with Steven Jamieson highlighting the risk of "freak giant waves" formed by interacting swells. Jamieson's dangerous task of securing pots on a rolling stack underscores the perilous nature of the job. After five days of fishing, the Aleutian Lady, under Captain Rick, becomes the most successful boat to have fished as Hagibis passed over the Bering Sea. They manage to haul in a significant catch, with Rick emphasizing the importance of staying positive and persistent. The Aleutian Lady's success is attributed to finding the "motherload" of crab.

Hagibis's Legacy and a Warning for the Future

Typhoon Hagibis finally dissipates over Eastern Siberia as it approaches the Arctic Circle. It is remembered as a record-breaker for its flood damage in Japan and as the "most costly typhoon of all time." Its impact, felt thousands of miles from its tropical birthplace, serves as a stark warning. The video concludes by stating that in a world of accelerating change, with storms becoming more powerful and unpredictable, Hagibis was a "warning, summoned from the deepest and largest ocean on earth."