Walaka and Kong-rey Become First Simultaneous Category 5 Storms on Earth in Years

Top video shows Typhoon Jebi hitting Japan several weeks ago

There were two Category 5 typhoons at the same time on Earth this week, according to the Weather Channel.

Hurricane Walaka and Super Typhoon Kong-rey both attained Category 5 strength on Oct. 1 and Oct. 2.

According to the Central Pacific Hurricane Center, Walaka has continued to weaken. The storm is a Category 2 storm with 110 mph winds as of Oct. 4. It was called a Category 5 hurricane by the agency on Oct. 1, while Kong-rey hit Category 5 strength a few hours later on the same day, the Weather Channel noted.

They both had maximum sustained winds of more than 157 mph.

They were both downgraded to Category 4 storms as of Oct. 2.

The news outlet noted that the last time there were two Category 5 storms spinning on Earth simultaneously was in July 2005. That’s when Hurricane Emily was spinning through the western Caribbean, and Super Typhoon Haitang was moving over the Pacific.

Walaka’s Position

As of Oct. 4, Hurricane Walaka is located about 660 miles northwest of Honolulu, Hawaii, and it is moving 20 mph to the north, according to the hurricane center.

A tropical storm warning was issued for the Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument from French Frigate Shoals to Maro Reef. Papahanaumokuakea includes 10 islands and atolls of the northwestern Hawaiian islands.

As of Oct. 4, Hurricane Walaka is located about 660 miles northwest of Honolulu, Hawaii, and it is moving 20 mph to the north. (NOAA)

Walaka “is expected to slow its forward speed and turn toward the north-northwest later today and tonight,” according to the hurricane center. “From Friday through early Saturday morning, Walaka is forecast to move toward the north-northeast at a faster forward speed. Maximum sustained winds are near 110 mph (175 km/h) with higher gusts. Gradual weakening is expected to continue during the next couple of days, but Walaka is forecast to remain a hurricane through early Friday morning,” it added.

According to CBS News, seven researchers were evacuated from the French Frigate Shoals area ahead of Walaka’s landfall.

Typhoon Kong-rey Heading to Japan

The Japan Meteorological Agency said on Oct.4 that Kong-rey has weakened considerably, and it has 78 mph winds, according to CBS News. It’s heading to the north at 12 mph.

The storm is tracking toward Japan’s Okinawa islands located in the country’s south.

The center of the storm was 298 nautical miles south of Kadena Air Base in Okinawa on Oct. 4, according to Channel News Asia.

After Japan, Kong-rey is also forecast to slam into South Korea, AccuWeather reported. The storm is slated to bring damaging winds, rains, and mudslides across the country.

“Wind gusts of 100-125 km/h (62-78 mph) are expected in Jeju, Yeosu, Busan, Ulsan, and Pohang,” the website said. “Rainfall amounts of 100-200 mm (4-8 inches) will be common across the country,” it added, saying that as many as 12 inches of rain could fall in some areas.

Typhoon Kong-rey as of Oct. 4, 2018. (Japan Meteorological Agency)

Earlier in the week, Typhoon Trami injured dozens of people and killed two in Japan, Channel News Asia reported. On Sept. 4, Typhoon Jebi hit Japan, killing at least 11 and injuring many more.