Typhoon Ruth (1951)

Typhoon Ruth was a typhoon that hit Japan in October 1951.^[1][2]

Typhoon Ruth

Analysis of Typhoon Ruth on October 12
Meteorological history
Formed	October 8, 1951
Dissipated	October 15, 1951
Category 4-equivalent typhoon
1-minute sustained (SSHWS/JTWC)
Highest winds	220 km/h (140 mph)
Lowest pressure	924 hPa (mbar); 27.29 inHg
Overall effects
Fatalities	572
Injuries	2,644
Missing	371
Areas affected	Guam, Northern Mariana Islands, Yap, Japan
IBTrACS
Part of the 1951 Pacific typhoon season

Preparations

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

Storm warnings were issued for southern Japan on October 13.^[3] Planes in Tokyo were grounded and courier service to Korea was suspended.^[4]

Impact

USS Badoeng Strait in Typhoon Ruth

Ruth impacted Japan between October 13–15, killing 572 people and injuring another 2,644; 371 people were left unaccounted for.^[5] Many of these deaths arose from river flooding triggered by Ruth.^[6] The storm damaged 221,118 homes and 9,596 ships, as well as some 3.5 million bushels of rice.^[5] Due to Ruth's large size, much of the country was affected by the typhoon's winds and rains. A peak wind gust of 195 km/h (121 mph) and a rainfall total of 639.3 mm (25.17 in) was recorded at Kamiyaku, Kagoshima; both of these values were the highest recorded in Japan from Ruth.^[6] Yamaguchi Prefecture was most severely impacted by the typhoon.^[5][7] Coastal areas were inundated and communications were disrupted.^[8] Winds reaching 150 km/h (95 mph) and waves 13.5 m (44 ft) high struck Sasebo, Nagasaki, sinking ships and damaging others in the harbor; among them were warships deployed for the Korean War.^[9] American military installations throughout Japan incurred over US$1 million in damage.^[10] Overall property damage in Japan was estimated at US$25 million, affecting an estimated 123,773 people;^[11] total damage to property, crops, and forests reached US$55 million.^[12]

See also

• 1951 Pacific typhoon season