Typhoon Meranti made landfall near Shishi, China Friday morning, local time,with sustained winds near 80 mph (130 kph).Since landfall, Meranti has dissipated over eastern China Friday night, localtime. However, heavy rain will continue to fall across eastern China andeventually spread over the Korean Peninsula and Japan this weekend.
Meranti produced 10 to 20 inches of rain across southeastern Taiwan prior tolandfall over China. Once over China, nearly 3.50 inches (88 mm) of rain fellin a short period of time over Shishi, producing flooding across the city.
News agencies report 145,300 people were evacuated ahead of Meranti in theprovince of Fujian, where landfall occurred.
Now a tropical rainstorm, Meranti will continue to move northeastward andeventually eastward this weekend, spreading very heavy rainfall across theKorean Peninsula Saturday and Japan Sunday.
Rainfall totals will average 2-4 inches (50-100 mm) this weekend, with localamounts of 6 inches (150 mm) possible.
Localized flooding and life-threatening landslides will be possible as theremnants of Meranti sweep across Korea and Japan.
Story by Rob Miller, AccuWeather.com Senior Meteorologist
