 It was responsible for 458 deaths and $2.5 billion (2006 USD) in damage.Saomai affected many of the same areas affected by Tropical Storm Bilis a month earlier, and the China Meteorological Administration reported that Saomai was the strongest typhoon that ever occurred over China's offshore region as well as the most powerful typhoon ever to make landfall over Mainland China.A tropical disturbance formed east of Chuuk on July 31 and gradually increased in organization over the next several days as it moved northwestward.