Question: Which country experienced the most storms during the 1987 Pacific typhoon season?

1966 Pacific typhoon season


The 1966 Pacific typhoon season was an active season, with many tropical cyclones having severe impacts in China, Japan, and the Philippines. Overall, there were 49tropical depressions declared officially or unofficially, of which 30officially became named storms; of those, 20 reached typhoon status, while 3further became super typhoons by having winds of at least 240km/h (150mph).[nb 1] Throughout the year, storms were responsible for at least 997fatalities and $377.6million in damage; however, a complete record of their effects is unavailable.
It is widely accepted that wind estimates in the Western North Pacific during the reconnaissance era prior to 1988 are subject to great error. In many cases, intensities were grossly overestimated due to a combination inadequate technology and a lesser understanding of the mechanics behind tropical cyclones as compared to the present day. Additionally, methodologies for obtaining wind estimates have changed over the decades and is not the same today as in 1966. A joint reanalysis of typhoons from 1966–1987 was conducted by the Cooperative Institute for Research in the Atmosphere at Colorado State University and the United States Naval Research Laboratory in 2006 to correct some of these errors. Many storms in 1966 received strength reductions as a result of this study; however, the results of the research have not been implemented into the official database. Notably the number of major typhoons, Category3 equivalent or higher on the Saffir–Simpson hurricane wind scale, was reduced from eight to six, including the removal of a Category5.[1]
The western Pacific basin covers the Pacific Ocean, north of the equator and west of the International Date Line. Storms that form east of the date line and north of the equator are called hurricanes; see 1966 Pacific hurricane season. Tropical Storms formed in the entire west Pacific basin were assigned a name by the Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC). The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) also monitored systems in the basin; however, it was not recognized as the Regional Specialized Meteorological Center until 1968.[2] Tropical depressions that enter or form in the Philippine area of responsibility are assigned a name by the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), which can result in the same storm having two names; in these cases both storm names are given below, with the PAGASA name in parentheses.
Systems

Typhoon Hester (Atang)


Typhoon Irma (Klaring)

115mph Typhoon Irma hit the eastern Samar on May 15. It weakened over the island, but re-intensified rapidly to a 140mph typhoon in the Sibuyan Sea before hitting Mindoro on the 17th. After weakening to a tropical storm, Irma turned northward to hit western Luzon as a 95mph typhoon on the 19th. It accelerated to the northeast, and became extratropical on the 22nd. The extratropical remnant raced northeast before abruptly slowing on May23 well to the east of Japan. During that time, it temporarily turned north while moving erratically. The system later acquired a general eastward track by May26 and accelerated once more before dissipating near the International Dateline on May29.[3]
Severe damage took place across the Philippines, with Leyte suffering the brunt of Irma's impact.[4] Twenty people lost their lives across the country.[5] Preliminary reports indicated that Tacloban incurred $2.5million in damage.[4] A gasoline explosion near Manila that killed 12people and injured 18others was partially attributed to the typhoon.[6]
On May17, the 740ton vessel Pioneer Cebu sailed directly into the storm over the Visayan Sea off the coast of Malapascua Island after ignoring warnings to remain at port. Carrying 262people, the ship struck a reef while battling rough seas in the typhoon.[4] Passengers began abandoning the sinking vessel soon thereafter under the captain's orders while message about the ship's sinking was relayed by the radio operator. A large wave then struck the ship on its side, capsizing and submerging it entirely. Of the passengers and crew, 122went down with the ship, including captain Floro Yap, while 140managed to escape.[7][8] Rescue operations lasted nearly two days, with many of the survivors being stranded in shark infested waters for upwards of 40hours.[8] Of the survivors, 130were picked up by a rescue ship while 10others were found on nearby islands.[7] Only five bodies were recovered in the area while the rest were presumed to be lost with the ship in an area referred to as the "graveyard of ships."[8] A trading vessel, the Banca Alex, also sank off the coast of Cebu with 80people aboard; 60were later rescued while 20others were never found.[9]

Typhoon Judy (Deling)

Southern Taiwan bore the brunt of Judy's impact, with gusts in the region reaching 120km/h (75mph).[10] The high winds cut electricity throughout the port of Kaohsiung.[11] Rainfall on the island peaked at 291.2mm (11.46in). A total of 18people lost their lives while 14were injured across the island. More than 1,000homes sustained damage, of which 363homes were destroyed.[12] The banana crop suffered extensive damage in southern Taiwan, with two provinces reporting 70percent lost. Total losses to the crop reached $25million.[10] Total damage amounted to NT$373.5million.[12] While over the South China Sea, a U.S. Navy aircraft with four crewmen crashed in the storm. A four-day search-and-rescue mission found no trace of the men.[13]

Super Typhoon Kit (Emang)

The incipient disturbance that became Super Typhoon Kit was first identified on June20 near Chuuk State in the Federated States of Micronesia.[14] The JMA designated that system as a tropical depression that day as the system moved steadily westward.[15] The JTWC followed suit with this classification on June22 following an investigation by reconnaissance. Early the next day, the depression acquired gale-force winds and was dubbed Tropical Storm Kit. Turning to the northwest, Kit developed a 35–55km (20–35mi) wide eye and reached typhoon status late on June23.[14] Rapid intensification ensued late on June24 into June25; Kit's central pressure dropped 51mbar (hPa; 1.51inHg) in 18hours from 965mbar (hPa; 28.50inHg) to 914mbar (hPa; 26.99inHg).[16] During this time, Kit's eye contracted to 13 to 17km (8.1 to 10.6mi).[14] At 06:00UTC on June26, the JMA estimated Kit's pressure to have abruptly dropped to 880mbar (hPa; 25.99inHg),[15] which would rank it among the top ten most intense tropical cyclones on record.[17] Around this time, the JTWC estimated Kit to have attained peak winds of 315km/h (195mph);[16][18] however, these winds are likely an overestimate.[1] A later reconnaissance mission on June26 reported a pressure of 912mbar (hPa; 26.93inHg), the lowest observed in relation to the typhoon.[14] Weakening ensued thereafter as the system accelerated to the north-northeast. Retaining typhoon strength, Kit brushed southeastern Honshu, Japan, on June28, passing roughly 155km (100mi) east of Tokyo. The system subsequently weakened to a tropical storm and transitioned into an extratropical cyclone south of Hokkaido on June29.[16] The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration reported the remnants of Kit to have dissipated the following day near northeastern Hokkaido.[19] However, the JMA states that the system turned eastward and accelerated over the north Pacific before losing its identity on July3 near the International Dateline.[15]
Although the center of Kit remained offshore, torrential rains and damaging winds wreaked havoc in eastern Japan.[20] An estimated 510 to 760mm (20 to 30in) of rain fell across the region, triggering deadly landslides and floods.[21] More than 128,000homes were affected by flooding, of which 433collapsed.[22] Large stretches of roadway crumbled or were blocked by landslides. Additionally, service along the 480km (300mi) Tokyo–Osaka rail line was disrupted for 12hours.[20] "Hip-deep" waters also shut down Tokyo's subway system, stranding an estimated 2million people.[23][24] Throughout the country, 64people lost their lives while a further 19were listed missing.[22] In the aftermath of the typhoon, 25workers died from carbon monoxide poisoning from a portable generator while repairing a damaged irrigation tunnel near Utsunomiya.[25]

Tropical Storm Lola (Gading)

A tropical depression formed near the Eastern Visayas on July8 and tracked west-northwest. After crossing Luzon on July11, the system emerged over the South China Sea and began strengthening.[26] Reaching tropical storm intensity on July12, Lola tracked northwest toward Hong Kong. The system attained its peak intensity the following day with winds of 110km/h (70mph) and a pressure of 992mb (hPa; 29.30inHg).[27][28] Lola subsequently made landfall near Hong Kong,[26] where it killed one person,[29] before rapidly dissipating over Guangzhou on July14.[27]

Typhoon Mamie (Iliang)


Typhoon Nina


Typhoon Ora (Loleng)


Tropical Storm Phyllis

Phyllis had minor effects during the Vietnam War, briefly limiting the number of bombing raids conducted by the United States due to squally weather.[30]

Typhoon Rita

On August7, the vessel Almeria Lykes sailed into Rita and reported peak sustained winds of 175km/h (110mph) and a minimum pressure of 989.2mb (hPa; 29.21inHg).[31] Despite this observation, Rita is still considered a tropical storm with 110km/h (70mph) winds at that time.[32]

Typhoon Tess

Typhoon Tess produced tremendous rainfall across Taiwan, with Alishan receiving 1,104.8mm (43.50in) of rain, including 719.9mm (28.34in) in just 18hours.[33][34] In contrast to the magnitude of the rain, damage was fairly limited and only one person was killed. Total losses reached NT$11.9million with 19homes destroyed and 9others damaged.[12] Heavy rains also fell in mainland China with several provinces seeing several days of rain; a daily peak of 224mm (8.8in) was reported in Changting County. Rivers quickly over-topped their banks and flooded surrounding areas, causing widespread damage. The extent of flooding is reflected with more than 51,000hectares (127,000acres) of crops inundated. The Ting River crested at 5.22m (17.1ft), which is 1.7m (5.6ft) above flood-level. Throughout the affected areas, 81people lost their lives and another 117were injured; 12more were listed as missing. A total of 1,384homes were destroyed and 8,351sustained damage.[35]

Typhoon Susan (Oyang)

According to the JTWC, Susan was absorbed by the nearby Typhoon Tess on August16 while east of Taiwan.[36] However, the JMA indicates that the system continued northward as a tropical depression and ultimately dissipated near Kyushu on August18. As such, the operationally analyzed Tropical Depression Thirteen, which supposedly formed over the East China Sea on August17, was actually a continuation of Susan.[37][38]

Typhoon Viola

Owing to the weakening before landfall, Viola caused only minor damage in Japan. Offshore, three vessels capsized amid rough seas.[39]

Tropical Storm Winnie


Tropical Storm Betty


Super Typhoon Alice

Super Typhoon Alice developed in the Western Pacific from a tropical wave on August 25. It moved to the north, looped to the west, and steadily strengthened to a peak of 150mph. Alice continued to the west, hit eastern China on September 3, and dissipated the next day.
Across Okinawa, Alice killed one person and caused more than $10million in damage.[40] Winds estimated at 175km/h (110mph) destroyed 150homes and left 858people homeless.[41] North of Okinawa, 13South Korean fishing boats sank amid rough seas; 12people perished while 26others were listed missing.[42] Typhoon Alice produced a tremendous storm surge in Fujian Province, China, that caused widespread damage. Referred to as a "tsunami" in local media, the surge reportedly swept up to 40km (25mi) inland and destroyed thousands of homes, leaving an estimated 40,000people homeless. Wind gusts up to 187km/h (116mph) caused significant deforestation in the region as well, with 1.7million trees falling. Casualty statistics are unknown though believed to be significant.[35]

Super Typhoon Cora

Typhoon Cora, which began its life on August 30, attained peak winds of 175mph on September 5. It passed near Okinawa, causing major damage to the infrastructure on the island, but no loss of life. Cora continued to the northwest, hit northeastern China as a super typhoon on the 7th, and turned northeast to become extratropical near South Korea on the 9th.
Slowly moving by the southern Ryukyu Islands, Cora battered the region for more than 30hours. Miyako-jima suffered the brunt of the typhoon's impact;[43] sustained winds on the island reached 219km/h (136mph) while gusts peaked at 307km/h (191mph).[44] This placed Cora as a greater than 1-in-100 year event in the region. Winds of least 144km/h (89mph) battered Miyako-jima for 13continuous hours. Of the 11,060homes on Miyako-jima, 1,943were destroyed and a further 3,249severely damaged. The majority of these were wooden structures whose structures were compromised once their roof was torn off. Steel structures also sustained considerable damage while reinforced concrete buildings fared the best.[45] The resulting effects rendered 6,000residents homeless.[43] The scale of damage varied across the island with Ueno-mura suffering the most extensive losses. Of the community's 821homes, 90.1percent was severely damaged or destroyed.[45] A United States Air Force radar station was destroyed on the island.[46] On nearby Ishigaki Island, where wind gusts reached 162km/h (101mph), 71homes were destroyed while a further 139were severely damaged.[45] Total losses from Cora in the region reached $30million. Despite the severity of damage, no fatalities took place and only five injuries were reported.[43]
Wind gusts up to 130km/h (80mph) caused notable damage in Taiwan,[47] with 17homes destroyed and 42more damaged. A smaller island closer to the storm reported a peak gust of 226km/h (140mph).[12] Heavy rains were generally confined to northern areas of the island,[48] peaking at 405mm (15.9in). Three people were killed during Cora's passage while seventeen others sustained injury.[12][47] Additionally, 5,000persons were evacuated.[47] Damage amounted to NT$4.2million.[12] Striking Fujian Province, China, on the heels of Typhoon Alice, Cora exacerbated damage in the region. Property damage was extreme with more than 21,000homes destroyed and nearly 63,000more damage. An estimated 265,000people were severely affected by the storm. A total of 269people perished during the storm while a further 2,918were injured; 52people were also listed missing. Tremendous flooding occurred as a result of the rains from Alice and Cora, damaging 190,000hectares (469,000acres) of crops which resulted in a loss of 195,000kg (430,000lb) in food production.[35]

Tropical Storm Doris


Typhoon Elsie (Pitang)

Elsie's slow movement near Taiwan allowed to prolonged rainfall across the island. As a result, numerous counties saw record-breaking rains from the storm with six top-ten accumulations still holding through 2015. Yilan County saw the greatest totals from the storm with 1,076.9mm (42.40in) falling; this is the greatest single-storm total in the county on record.[33] Seven people were killed in Taiwan while thirty others sustained injury. A total of 120homes collapsed while another 121sustained damage.[12] The banana crop experienced heavy losses, with damage reaching $500,000.[49] Total losses amounted to NT$60.1million.[12]

Typhoon Flossie


Tropical Storm Grace


Tropical Storm Helen (Ruping)


Typhoon June


Typhoon Ida

On September21, an area of disturbed weather was noted on TIROS imagery over the open Pacific well to the east of the Mariana Islands. Following investigation by reconnaissance aircraft,[50] the system was classified as a tropical depression the following day while situated some 1,900km (1,200mi) southwest of Tokyo, Japan.[51] Rapid intensification soon took place as the system accelerated to the northwest. By September23, Ida attained typhoon intensity while recon reported the formation of a 50 to 55km (30 to 35mi) elliptical eye.[50] Turning northward, the system reached its peak intensity early on September24 as a Category3–equivalent typhoon with 185km/h (115mph) winds.[52] Aircraft investigating the storm at this time reported a minimum pressure of 961mbar (hPa; 28.38inHg);[50] however, the JMA lists the system's minimum pressure as 960mb (hPa; 28.35inHg).[53] The typhoon subsequently made landfall near Omaezaki, Shizuoka around 15:00UTC at this strength.[52][53] A testament Ida's intensity, winds atop Mt. Fuji gusted to 324km/h (201mph) during the storm's passage.[51] Once onshore, rapid structural degradation and overall weakening ensued. Less than 12hours after striking Japan, Ida emerged over the Pacific Ocean near the Tōhoku region as a 95km/h (60mph), ill-defined tropical storm.[51][52] Transition into an extratropical cyclone took place shortly thereafter, with the system ultimately dissipating several hundred kilometers east of Japan on September26.[53]
Following Tropical Storm Helen in quick succession, Ida wrought tremendous damage across eastern Japan and was regarded as the worst to strike the nation since Typhoon Vera in 1959.[51][54] The greatest loss of life occurred along the slopes of Mt. Fuji where two villages were virtually wiped out by massive mudslides. Nearly 700landslides struck the region and were blamed for the majority of damage and loss of life.[54] A total of 275people perished, 43 were listed as missing, and a further 976sustained injury. Disastrous landslides and strong winds destroyed more than 73,000homes and damaged 56,000more.[51][55] Damage in the country exceeded $300million, with crop losses being particularly heavy.[51] The high winds also caused havoc among seagoing vessels, with 107ships sinking.[51][55] The 7,702ton cargo liner, City of Wellington was grounded near Yokohama. A 10,208ton freighter, Ever Sureness, was stranded at the mouth of the Tsurumi River. Additionally, the 24,829ton Liberian tanker, Golar Jeanne-Marie, ran ashore near Shimizu.[51]

Typhoon Kathy

On October6, a tropical depression was identified near Kwajalein Atoll in the Marshall Islands. Tracking generally north-northeast, little development occurred over the following several days.[56] On October9, the system was classified as Tropical Storm Kathy. Its motion subsequently stalled and the system executed a small clockwise loop over the following three days. Kathy quickly intensified into a typhoon late on October9, marked by the formation of a 45km (30mi) wide eye.[57] The system reached an initial peak with winds of 150km/h (90mph) on October10 before weakening slightly.[58] Turning northeast on October13, Kathy began reintensifying and achieved its peak strength the following day with winds of 185km/h (115mph) and a pressure of 947mbar (hPa; 27.67inHg).[57]
After maintaining its peak winds for 30hours,[58] Kathy began to degrade. A temporary turn to the east-northeast accompanied this weakening. The system attained its secondary peak on October18 with winds of 165km/h (105mph) over the open north Pacific. Approaching 40°N, cold air began to entrain into the typhoon's circulation by October19. Transition into an extratropical cyclone south of the Aleutian Islands on October20 as the system turned eastward. Hurricane-force winds and 9.1m (30ft) seas battered vessels in the region that day.[16] Weakening to gale-force, the remnant cyclone later turned north on October23 and headed toward western Canada. The system made landfall near Queen Charlotte Island, British Columbia, on October24 and dissipated over land.[59]

Tropical Storm Lorna (Titang)


Typhoon Marie


Tropical Storm Nancy (Uding)

On November17, the JMA began monitoring a tropical depression near Yap.[60] Traveling west-northwest, the system steadily organized and reached tropical storm strength on November19. The intensifying storm moved over the Bicol Region of the Philippines that day before striking Calabarzon at its peak with winds of 110km/h (70km/h).[61] Torrential rains across Luzon caused widespread damage; 32fatalities and 14million PHP (US$3.6million) in losses resulted from Nancy.[62] While passing north of Manila, the cyclone slowed and turned to the southwest before emerging over the South China Sea on November21. One ship observed winds of 95km/h (60mph) that day to the north of Nancy's center. Moving generally west, Nancy gradually decayed over the following five days, degrading to a tropical depression on November25 and dissipating the following day well to the east of Vietnam.[61]

Tropical Storm Olga (Wening)

A tropical depression was initially identified by the JMA well to the east of the Philippines on November21.[63] Tracking northwestward along a similar path to Nancy, the system reached tropical storm strength on November23 about 560km (350mi) east of Manila. The following day, Olga brushed the northern tip of Luzon with peak winds of 85km/h (50mph) before turning west and moving over the South China Sea.[28][61] Subsequent interaction with a monsoon trough caused Olga to weaken and ultimately dissipate on November25.[61]

Typhoon Pamela (Aning)

On December24, a tropical depression developed to the east of Palau.[64] Images from TIROS aided in locating the system on Christmas Day as it tracked west-northwest toward the Philippines. It was estimated to have become a tropical storm that day while located 350km (220mi) east of Samar. Pamela rapidly developed soon thereafter, with the first reconnaissance mission early on December26 reporting it to have achieved typhoon status with a pressure of 977mb (hPa; 28.85inHg). A 25 to 35km (16 to 22mi) wide eye had formed by this time. The typhoon struck northern Samar shortly after 06:00UTC with winds of 165km/h (105mph).[65] Pamela was responsible for heavy damage across the central Philippines with 30people losing their lives,[62] the majority of whom were fishermen.[66] Initial assessments were difficult due to communication loss with the four hardest-hit provinces.[67] Damage was estimated at 15million PHP (US$6million).[68] Interaction with land imparted weakening on the system as it moved westward.[16] Pamela made two additional landfalls at typhoon strength over Masbate and Mindoro before emerging over the South China Sea as a tropical storm. The cyclone weakened below gale-force early on December31 and dissipated later that day to the west of Vietnam.[64][65][69]

Other systems
In addition to the 30named storms monitored by the JTWC throughout the year, 8systems were warned upon that never reached gale-strength. Additionally, 11other cyclones were warned upon by various agencies across East Asia, some of which were estimated to have reached tropical storm strength. Furthermore, disagreement on the intensity of these storms exists between the warnings centers. The table below lists the maximum intensity reported by any one agency for the sake of completeness. However, any tropical storms listed here are not considered official and thus are excluded from the season total.

Season effects
This is a table of all of the storms that have formed in the 1966 Pacific typhoon season. It includes their names, duration, peak one-minute sustained winds, minimum barometric pressure, affected areas, damage, and death totals. Damage and deaths include totals while the storm was extratropical, a wave, or a low, and all of the damage figures are in 1966 USD. Names listed in parentheses were assigned by PAGASA.

See also

1966 Atlantic hurricane season
1966 Pacific hurricane season
Notes





(in Chinese)