page_title: Typhoon Ophelia
section_title: Ulithi
hierarchical_section_title: Typhoon Ophelia / Impact / Ulithi
caption_attribution_description: English: map of Ulithi Atoll, Yap State, Federated States of Micronesia (Pacific Ocean)
context_page_description: Typhoon Ophelia was a long-lived and powerful tropical cyclone that had devastating impacts on the small atoll of Ulithi in the Caroline Islands. Forming as a tropical depression on November 21, 1960 near Enewetak Atoll, the incipient cyclone struggled to develop. Moving haphazardly along an s-shaped track over the western Pacific Ocean, it degenerated into a disturbance two days later. By November 27, the system reorganized and was classified a tropical depression for a second time well to the southeast of Guam. Moving slowly west-southwest, it steadily intensified into a tropical storm later that day and further into a typhoon on November 29 as it gained a steady westward track. The following day, the eye of Ophelia passed directly over Ulithi atoll with winds estimated at 230 km/h.
  Turning gradually to the north, the typhoon attained peak winds of 250 km/h on December 1. Maintaining strength as a powerful system for several days, the storm remained over open waters. By December 4, it began to weaken as upper-level winds became unfavorable and forced the cyclone to move northeast.
context_section_description: On December 1, the eye of Typhoon Ophelia passed directly over the small atoll of Ulithi, which has a total land area of 4.6 km² (1.8 mi²).  The atoll comprises multiple islands, the largest islet being no more than 1.6 km (1 mi) long and even shorter width-wise. It was regarded as the worst storm to hit the atoll since 1907 when similarly violent typhoon devastated the area. At the time of the storm, an estimated 450 people lived on the island and 16 members of the United States Coast Guard were stationed there. Residents and coast guard members were first alerted of the storm on November 21 when it was near Enewetak Atoll; however no action was taken. It was not until November 28 when Ophelia began intensifying that precautions were taken. By this time, winds had already begun increasing and the commanding officer ordered that all equipment, personal gear, and emergency rations were to be taken into a concrete shelter. Natives were not entirely prepared for the typhoon, with two villages receiving no word of its approach. Three villages that were informed were not given the necessary urgency of the typhoon and did not expect the severity of damage the occurred. A Trust Territory vessel, the MV Errol, was anchored in the lagoon but left without warning nearby natives on November 29.
  Striking as a Category 4-equivalent typhoon, Ophelia produced devastating winds across the atoll. Winds estimated at 260 km/h (161 mph) battered Ulithi, reportedly destroying every structure except for the concrete coast guard station. The station itself was badly affected, however, with its walls damaged and windows blown out. Nearby Falalop Airfield had 91 m (300 ft) of its runway swept away. An anemometer on the coast guard station measured a peak velocity of 137 km/h (85 mph); however, later analysis of the device revealed that it was broken and revolving slower than it should. It is estimated that winds were most likely on the order of 230 to 250 km/h (145 to 155 mph). Most structures across Ulithi were constructed after World War II and had tin roofs. Natives sought refuge in these structures and in many instances were forced to abandon them as they fell apart during the storm.
  On Falalop Island, the seawall erected during World War II was entirely destroyed and allowed storm surge to inundate the island; however, at no point was the entire island under water. Initially, Falalop was left under 1.2 m (4 ft) of water, though by the time the eye moved over this had decreased to 0.6 m (2 ft). Along the south shore, waves reached 1.8 m (6 ft) and caused moderate beach erosion. Sand from the coastline was found up to 215 m (700 ft) inland, filling many taro pits in the island's interior. Along the south shore, two children were killed when their home collapsed, pinning them underneath debris, and water later inundated the area and drowned them. Elsewhere on the island, three people sustained minor injuries. Asor Island experienced most of its flooding as the backside of Ophelia moved through. The island was shortened by 45 m (150 ft) to the north and southern beaches experienced varying degrees of erosion. Mogmog Island, located at the northern end of the atoll's lagoon, saw the deposition of large boulders and cobblestone along its north shore which covered an area 30 to 45 m (100 to 150 ft) wide. Flying debris resulted in one injury on both Asor and Mogmog. To the west, Potangeras Island saw an increase in land area by 60 m (200 ft) as sand was pushed from other areas.
  Across Ulithi, 29 homes were destroyed, 64 were damaged, and the remaining 33 were intact. Of the 79 non-residential structures, only 4 were left standing. All four schools and medical buildings were destroyed, with nearly all medical supplies being washed away. Agriculture saw extensive losses with nearly the entire taro crop devastated and more than 75% of the food crop was ruined. Roughly 23% of the coconut trees were destroyed and 45% were damaged. It took approximately two years for the coconut crop to return to normal. Banana and breadfruit trees were temporarily usele
caption: A map of Ulithi Atoll
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