A verified YouTube channel is claiming that Typhoon Jenny (international name: Koinu) is twice as powerful as Super Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan). Another video claimed that Typhoon Jenny will hit Luzon. Both claims are false.
Typhoon Jenny’s maximum sustained winds, as predicted, will be lower than Typhoon Yolanda’s peak intensity in 2013. According to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), it is forecast to make landfall in southern Taiwan, and is unlikely to hit any part of the Philippines.
One video uploaded on Oct. 1 claimed in its title:
“BAGYONG “JENNY” DOBLE NA ANG LAKAS SA YOLANDA ((Typhoon Jenny, now twice as powerful as Yolanda) | LATEST WEATHER UPDATE! OCT 1, 2023.”
PAGASA’s severe weather bulletin issued at 5 a.m. on Oct. 3 indicated that Typhoon Jenny has maximum sustained winds of 165 kilometers per hour (kph) near the center and gustiness of up to 205 kph. This is below Super Typhoon Yolanda’s peak intensity which reached maximum sustained winds of 235 kph with a gustiness of 275 kph when it first made landfall in Guian, Eastern Samar on Nov. 8, 2013.
Its thumbnail also carried the text saying:
“DOBLE SA YOLANDA. BAGYONG JENNY SIGNAL NUMBER 4 NA NAKAKATAKOT! (Double that of Yolanda. Typhoon Jenny is now in signal number 4. Scary!)
This claim is also not true. As of publishing, the highest tropical cyclone wind signal currently in place because of Typhoon Jenny is Signal No. 2 hoisted over Batanes.
Meanwhile, another video uploaded on Oct. 2 bore the headline:
“BAGYONG “JENNY” BUMABA NG DIREKSYON! SA LUZON NA TATAMA (Typhoon Jenny has changed direction downwards! Will now hit Luzon) | LATEST WEATHER UPDATE! OCT 2, 2023.
Jenny, the country’s 10th tropical cyclone in 2023, has a low chance of making landfall in any part of the country, according to PAGASA. The typhoon, which is currently located 350 kilometers east of Basco, Batanes, is forecast to make landfall in southern Taiwan on Oct. 5.
Despite a low likelihood of directly hitting the country, the state weather bureau warned that Typhoon Jenny will bring strong winds in Northern Luzon. It will also strengthen the southwest monsoon which will cause occasional rains in Central Luzon, Southern Luzon and Western Visayas.
The erroneous videos used audio clips from PAGASA’s Sept. 30 and Oct. 1 weather advisories, while a montage of satellite images of past storms played in the background.
PAGASA previously urged the public to look at official weather reports published by its official social media accounts and legitimate news organizations. Uploaded by Balitang Pinas, the two clips have a total of 90,880 views. VERA Files Fact Check previously flagged the same channel for spreading weather-related disinformation.
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