In Japan, Typhoon Helen produced torrential rain, peaking at 790mm (31in) in Hokkaido, and damaging winds that caused widespread damage. A total of 4,213 homes were destroyed and another 146,547 were damaged as a result of flash flooding and landslides. Numerous vessels ran aground due to rough seas associated with the storm, including several thousand ton cargo freighters. In all, 87 fatalities and $102million in damage was attributed to Typhoon Helen.
Meteorological history
Map plotting the storm's track and intensity, according to the Saffir–Simpson scale
During the afternoon of September16, a reconnaissance plane recorded flight-level winds of 185km/h (115mph). Around this time, surface winds were estimated to be the same, making Helen a Category3 equivalent on the Saffir–Simpson Hurricane Scale. Later that day, the storm made landfall near Cape Kushimoto. In Shionomisaki Lighthouse, just west of where the center of Helen passed, a barometric pressure of 955mbar (hPa; 28.26inHg) was recorded, the lowest in relation to the storm. As the system neared Hokkaido, it slowed down and began a multi-day anticyclonic loop. During this period, it merged with an upper-level low and transitioned into an extratropical cyclone on September19.[1] The remnants of Helen then tracked across southern Hokkaido before dissipating just east of the island on September21.[2]
Impact
The Maria Rosello was one of the many vessels run aground by Typhoon Helen.[1]
Prior to the typhoon's arrival, officials in Japan warned residents of heavy rains. The Japanese National Railways network suspended service to areas threatened by the storm, stranding numerous people.[6] By September18, approximately one sixth of the railway service was canceled or delayed.[7]
Throughout the main island of Honshu, areas within 110km (68mi) of the storm's center experienced winds in excess of 120km/h (75mph), leading to considerable disruptions to air, sea, and land travel. The highest gust was measured at 181km/h (112mph) in Sumoto.[1] These winds caused a citywide power outage in Tsu, Mie and scattered outages in Nagoya.[6] Over a substantial portion of the country, the storm produced torrential rains that triggered deadly flash floods. Peak rainfall in Honshu and Hokkaido reached 580 and 790mm (23 and 31in), respectively.[1][8] In Shikoku, ten people died after a landslide destroyed nine homes in Kōchi City.[6] Across Japan, a total of 4,213 homes were destroyed and another 146,547 were damaged,[9] leaving at least 3,000 people homeless.[10] Roads and bridges sustained extensive damage, with large stretches being washed out.[6] According to police in Tokyo, 140 bridges sustained damage.[7] In Higashimatsuyama, a tornado spawned by Helen destroyed eight homes.[1]
Large swells from the storm caused large vessels to wash ashore, including a 9,000ton freighter in Ise Bay. Twenty-four fishermen drowned off the coast of Hachijō-jima after two vessels sank.[1] Throughout Japan, 322 ships were either damaged or ran aground due to the storm.[9] Including offshore, Helen killed 85 people in Japan.[9] Along the east coast of South Korea, these swells resulted in two fatalities.[1]
On September17, the Japanese military was mobilized to assist in relief efforts.[11] In all, 87 fatalities, 158 injuries and $102million in damage was attributed to Typhoon Helen, making it the most destructive tropical cyclone to strike Japan in 1972.[1][9]
The Joint Typhoon Warning Center is a joint United States Navy – United States Air Force task force that issues tropical cyclone warnings for the western Pacific Ocean and other regions.[4]
This article uses material from the Wikipedia article Typhoon_Helen_(1972), and is written by contributors.
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