| Severe Tropical Storm Lionrock (Florita) | |
| Formed: | August 27, 2010 |
| Dissipated: | September 4, 2010 |
| Winds: | 50 |
| Pressure: | 985 |
| Basin: | Wpac |
| Winds: | 60 |
| Pressure: | 985 |
| Year: | 2010 |
| Fatalities: | None |
| Damages: | 65100000 |
| Areas: | Philippines, Taiwan, South China |
| Season: | 2010 Pacific typhoon season |
Severe Tropical Storm Lionrock, known in the Philippines as Severe Tropical Storm Florita, was a tropical cyclone that affected the areas of China and Taiwan. Forming on August 25, the storm drifted west and crossed the island of Luzon, the storm later became a tropical depression before being named by the Joint Typhoon Warning Center as Lionrock. Over the next few days, the storm remained stationary in the South China Sea, then started to move slowly before merging with tropical storm Namtheun, absorbing the latter. The storm made its way onto China before weakening and eventually dissipating over China.
The storm affected Hong Kong, making the government issue multiple warnings. Total damages in China were also counted to be CNY 441 million (US$65.1 million).
Early on August 25, an area of low pressure formed about 600km (400miles) southeast of Hong Kong. The low pressure was located in an area of low vertical wind shear and a favorable environment. At the same time, a tropical upper tropospheric trough (TUTT) was located in the east of the system. The storm also had convection, with good outflow and upper-level divergence.[1] On the next day, the disturbance started to move west and later crossed the island of Luzon. On August 27, the circulation became slightly disorganized due to dry air. Later that afternoon, the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) upgraded the disturbance to a tropical depression and the Joint Typhoon Warning Centre (JTWC) issued a Tropical Cyclone Formation Alert (TCFA) which was later upgraded to a tropical depression. The storm was also named Florita by PAGASA.[2] On August 28, the JMA upgraded the system to a tropical storm, and it was named "Lionrock",[3] with winds up to 83km/h.[4] For the next couple of days, Lionrock remained almost stationary in South China Sea. On August 31, Lionrock start to move northeast slowly due to interaction with tropical storm Namtheun, with a 3km/h movement to Namtheun. Early on September 1, Lionrock made a Fujiwhara effect with Namtheun, while Lionrock maintained its strength while Namtheun was absorbed.[5] Lionrock made landfall on the east coast of Guangdong Province, China, just north of the city of Shantou. It then started to dissipate and weaken into a tropical storm and moved over Guangzhou, Guangdong's capital. Lionrock soon lost its intensity as it went over Guangdong, and on September 3, the storm had turned into a low-pressure area.[6]
Since the storm formed with Tropical Storm Namtheun and Typhoon Kompasu, Lionrock exhibited unusual movements along with Namtheun and Kompasu. Analysis showed that the reason for the unusual movements were interaction between all three of the storms, including a Fujiwhara effect absorbing Namtheun.
In Hong Kong, signal No 1. was issued on August 29 when the storm was 340km (210miles) southeast of Hong Kong. The signal was issued again on September 2, when the storm was close to China and Hong Kong. All signals were later removed after the storm was dissipated on September 3. Rainfall totals observed in the Hong Kong Observatory totaled 63.5mm. A more intense amount of rain was recorded in the Hong Kong International Airport with a total of 139.5mm.[7]
Before the storm hit China, residents were warned by the website Typhoon2000 to monitor the storm closely,[8] the residents were also warned of expected showers and downpours. The Guangdong Provincial Meteorological Bureau started a level three emergency response plan, while the Fujian counterpart hoisted level four.[9] The storm first made its way to Zhangzhou, making direct impact.[10] The storm brought rains and heavy winds onto Zhangzhou, affecting the residents.[11] The storm also made landfall in Guangdong, bringing heavy amounts of rain over the area.[12] After the storm hit Guangdong, floods and rainstorms destroyed 165 houses.[13] A total of 160,000 people were brought to evacuation centers.[14] Total economic losses in China were counted to be CNY 441 million (US$65.1 million).[15]