(Super) Typhoon Sepat intercept thread - video posted!

[Typhoon Hunter]

Typhoon Sepat has bombed over the last 12 hours into a monster. JMA has current sustained winds of 95kts (10 min average) and expect it to intensify to 100kts. JTWC is currently progging winds of 135kts and forecast it to peak at 145kts. All agencies are going for a massive strike on central southern Taiwan.

I'll be flying to Taiwan tomorrow afternoon to meet up with Geoff Mackely and we'll be heading to intercept the eye of Sepat as it makes landfall.

I'll post more updates here as is humanely possible!

[HURAKAN]

This is a very serious situation you're putting yourself into. Please, be extremely careful and don't yourself in an unsafe situation. Good luck and try to keep us with the latest information as possible.

[Typhoon Hunter]

Hey Hurakan.

I'm fully aware of the situation I'm putting myself into and won't be taking any undue risks (besides the fact I'm going to be there in the first place.) Taiwan's infrastructure is incredibley good so it will be fascinating to see how it stands up to Sepat's wrath.

[HURAKAN]

Hey Hurakan.

I'm fully aware of the situation I'm putting myself into and won't be taking any undue risks (besides the fact I'm going to be there in the first place.) Taiwan's infrastructure is incredibley good so it will be fascinating to see how it stands up to Sepat's wrath.

I know you know what you doing and you have experience in this field, but I just don't see myself in the eye of a category 4 hurricane or typhoon for that matter. It's just scary to think about it. Once again, good luck and stay safe.

[tim_in_ga]

Be careful - there's not a lot of infrastructure where this will be hitting and the roads are quite treacherous on that side of the island. They already have major flooding problems in Pingtung County and all over southern Taiwan. Again - be very careful - I don't like driving over there even on a sunny day.

[Chacor]

Sepat just became the strongest storm of the season yet, so be careful.

[Normandy]

I have a question?

What do you plan to ride this out in? I cant think of many structures than can withstand a Cat 4's eyewall, much less a large cat 4.

[Typhoon Hunter]

Solid concrete parking lots work well and do large hotels.

We'll be arriving at the landfall zone in good time before the typhoon arrives to assess the terrain. If there's no suitable shelter we'll move until we find something suitable. I've been to the town of Hualien twice and know some good sturdy places.

Some people may think I'm stupid but I'm not. Even though I'll be attempting to get into the danger zone I will be taking full precautions. I do not want to die and will be careful.

Now back to the typhoon....I've booked my tickets and arrive in Taipei this evening. I'll be meeting up with Geoff Mackley (Discovery Channel - Dangerman) and we'll be heading down the east coast tomorrow morning. Sepat is now 110kts according to JMA and still on course for landfall over central Taiwan.

[RL3AO]

A little crazy..yes, but stupid no. Can't wait for the video.

[Typhoon Hunter]

Haha...I'm happy to be called a little crazy, but no, I'm not stupid. I want to carry on doing this kind of thing for years to come so don't want to end up dead!

I do this so people around the world can get a chance to see the power and effects of typhoons from a first hand perspective. Western media pays pitiful attention to these storms so I'm trying to raise the profile of those who are affected by the storms and their power.

My flight leaves Shanghai at 1625 local and gets into Taipei 2340 local.

[flashflood]

The latest Satellite imagery shows a rock solid CDO, nice structure, and a stadium effect (almost pin hole sized) eye. Can't get much better than that.

I have seen brief footage from Typhoons hitting Taiwan before, and those are typically very vague in coverage. I will be looking forward to seeing your chaser perspective video and photos of this country and how they handle such an extreme event. Also, thanks for keeping us up to date on your progress, I find that quite interesting as well.

[RL3AO]

Your right. In fact, I've heard absolutely no mention of this storm because of Dean, Erin and Flossie.

[weatherman21]

This typhoon appears to be very powerful:

Infrared at 03Z Tonight:

[Typhoon Hunter]

Just waiting for my flight at Shanghai airport at the moment.

I have connections with the head of fire service in Taidong and will be liasing with him if we end up there. Latest JMA track has this slamming into Hualien but that could vary.

I have a 2 hour transfer in Hong Kong so will get online again then.

UPDATE: The latest 06z JMA forecast is calling for a daylight landfall. I pray this stays the same, cat 4s at night are not fun.

[Chacor]

SAB's just gone T7.5, looks like the storm may be intensifying even more. All the more reason to be extra careful - especially since Taiwan's Central Weather Bureau is drastically underestimating this storm (100 kt).

[Typhoon Hunter]

Arrived in Hong Kong and my flight to Taipei leaves in an hour. Sepat still a beast.

Don't worry Chacor, I'm going with JMA warnings at the moment and will be using CWB for radar and hourly position updates.

May not post updates later tonight since probably going to get some sleep straight away.

[alan1961]

Top man typhoon hunter..stay safe..enjoy the ride

[wxmann_91]

Good luck Typhoon Hunter, and bring back some good footage.

Be wary of flooding. This is a large storm, and given the saturated ground from Pabuk and Wutip, it likely won't take much for some major flooding there. That could be the main story from Sepat.

[x-y-no]

Very much looking forward to your pictures and account of your experiences, Typhoon Hunter.

Good luck and take care.

[Typhoon Hunter]

I'm in Taipei and preparing to move to the south east side of the island today. Forecast landfall zone is around Taidong. We'll be getting train to Hualien then hiring a car and driving the rest of the way. Landfall time is estimated around 7am at the moment tomorrow.

In a rush so more updates once I'm in position!