Typhoon Kit (1966)

Typhoon Kit, known in the Philippines as Super Typhoon Emang, was one of the most intense tropical cyclones on record, and is tied for the seventh-most intense typhoon in the Western Pacific basin. Kit was the fifth tropical depression, fourth typhoon, and the first super typhoon of the 1966 Pacific typhoon season.

Typhoon Kit (Emang)

Satellite image of Typhoon Kit
Meteorological history
Formed	June 20, 1966
Dissipated	June 29, 1966
Unknown-strength storm
10-minute sustained (JMA)
Lowest pressure	880 hPa (mbar); 25.99 inHg
Category 5-equivalent super typhoon
1-minute sustained (SSHWS/JTWC)
Highest winds	315 km/h (195 mph)
Overall effects
Fatalities	64
Missing	19
Areas affected	Japan
Part of the 1966 Pacific typhoon season

Meteorological history

Map plotting the storm's track and intensity, according to the Saffir–Simpson scale

Map key

Saffir–Simpson scale

  Tropical depression (≤38 mph, ≤62 km/h)
  Tropical storm (39–73 mph, 63–118 km/h)
  Category 1 (74–95 mph, 119–153 km/h)
  Category 2 (96–110 mph, 154–177 km/h)
  Category 3 (111–129 mph, 178–208 km/h)
  Category 4 (130–156 mph, 209–251 km/h)
  Category 5 (≥157 mph, ≥252 km/h)
  Unknown

Storm type

Tropical cyclone

Subtropical cyclone

Extratropical cyclone, remnant low, tropical disturbance, or monsoon depression

The incipient disturbance that became Super Typhoon Kit was first identified on June 20 near Chuuk State in the Federated States of Micronesia.^[1] The JMA designated that system as a tropical depression that day as the system moved steadily westward.^[2] The JTWC followed suit with this classification on June 22 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 35–55 km (22–34 mi) wide eye and reached typhoon status late on June 23.^[1] Explosive intensification ensued late on June 24 into June 25; Kit's central pressure dropped 51 mbar (hPa; 1.51 inHg) in 18 hours from 965 mbar (hPa; 28.50 inHg) to 914 mbar (hPa; 26.99 inHg).^[3] During this time, Kit's eye contracted to 13 to 17 km (8.1 to 10.6 mi).^[1]

Typhoon Kit June 26, 1966 surface analysis

At 06:00 UTC on June 26, the JMA estimated Kit's pressure to have abruptly dropped to 880 mbar (hPa; 25.99 inHg),^[2] which would rank it among the top ten most intense tropical cyclones on record.^[4] Around this time, the JTWC estimated Kit to have attained peak winds of 315 km/h (196 mph);^[3][5] however, these winds are likely an overestimate.^[6] A later reconnaissance mission on June 26 reported a pressure of 912 mbar (hPa; 26.93 inHg), the lowest observed in relation to the typhoon.^[1] Weakening ensued thereafter as the system accelerated to the north-northeast. Retaining typhoon strength, Kit brushed southeastern Honshu, Japan, on June 28, passing roughly 155 km (96 mi) east of Tokyo. The system subsequently weakened to a tropical storm and transitioned into an extratropical cyclone south of Hokkaido on June 29.^[3] The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration reported the remnants of Kit to have dissipated the following day near northeastern Hokkaido.^[7] However, the JMA states that the system turned eastward and accelerated over the north Pacific before losing its identity on July 3 near the International Dateline.^[2]

Impact

Most intense Pacific typhoons

	Typhoon	Season	Pressure
			hPa	inHg
1	Tip	1979	870	25.7
2	June	1975	875	25.8
	Nora	1973
4	Forrest	1983	876[8]	25.9
5	Ida	1958	877	25.9
6	Rita	1978	878	26.0
7	Kit	1966	880	26.0
	Vanessa	1984
9	Nancy	1961	882	26.4
10	Irma	1971	884	26.1
11	Nina	1953	885	26.1
	Joan	1959
	Megi	2010
Source: JMA Typhoon Best Track Analysis Information for the North Western Pacific Ocean.[9]

Although the center of Kit remained offshore, torrential rains and damaging winds wreaked havoc in eastern Japan.^[10] An estimated 510 to 760 mm (20 to 30 in) of rain fell across the region, triggering deadly landslides and floods.^[11] More than 128,000 homes were affected by flooding, of which 433 collapsed.^[12] Large stretches of roadway crumbled or were blocked by landslides. Additionally, service along the 480 km (300 mi) Tokyo–Osaka rail line was disrupted for 12 hours.^[10] "Hip-deep" waters also shut down Tokyo's subway system, stranding an estimated 2 million people.^[13][14] Throughout the country, 64 people lost their lives while a further 19 were listed missing.^[12] In the aftermath of the typhoon, 25 workers died from carbon monoxide poisoning from a portable generator while repairing a damaged irrigation tunnel near Utsunomiya.^[15]