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As it moved ashore southern China, the typhoon produced a variety of damaging effects. Wind gusts reached at least 241 km/h (150 mph) in Hong Kong, when the piston of the anemometer stopped and failed to record any higher measurements.<ref name="wanda"/> The mean hourly wind average there reached 109 km/h (68 mph).<ref name="smwr"/> Along the coast, the powerful typhoon increased tides, with waves estimated at {{convert|30|ft|m|abbr=on|order=flip}} in [[Tolo Harbour]]. The [[high water mark]] at [[Tai Po]] was estimated at {{convert|20.5|ft|m|order=flip}}.<ref name="wanda">{{cite web|publisher=Hong Kong Observatory|url=https://www.hko.gov.hk/en/informtc/no10/wanda/wanda.htm|title=Typhoon Wanda August 27 to September 2, 1962|accessdate=April 26, 2024}}</ref> During its passage, the typhoon also dropped heavy rainfall, totaling {{convert|5.055|in|mm|abbr=on|order=flip}}.<ref name="smwr"/> |
As it moved ashore southern China, the typhoon produced a variety of damaging effects. Wind gusts reached at least 241 km/h (150 mph) in Hong Kong, when the piston of the anemometer stopped and failed to record any higher measurements.<ref name="wanda"/> The mean hourly wind average there reached 109 km/h (68 mph).<ref name="smwr"/> Along the coast, the powerful typhoon increased tides, with waves estimated at {{convert|30|ft|m|abbr=on|order=flip}} in [[Tolo Harbour]]. The [[high water mark]] at [[Tai Po]] was estimated at {{convert|20.5|ft|m|order=flip}}.<ref name="wanda">{{cite web|publisher=Hong Kong Observatory|url=https://www.hko.gov.hk/en/informtc/no10/wanda/wanda.htm|title=Typhoon Wanda August 27 to September 2, 1962|accessdate=April 26, 2024}}</ref> During its passage, the typhoon also dropped heavy rainfall, totaling {{convert|5.055|in|mm|abbr=on|order=flip}}.<ref name="smwr"/> |
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The powerful typhoon killed thousands of people in Hong Kong, with a death toll between 11,000–13,000. This accounted for roughly 1% of the territory's population of 1 million.<ref name="hkweat">{{cite report|publisher=Hong Kong Observatory|url=https://www.hko.gov.hk/tc/publica/gen_pub/files/WeatheringTheStorm-2.pdf|format=PDF|title=A Review of Natural Disasters of the Past|accessdate=April 26, 2024}}</ref><ref name="dead"/> Fishermen accounted for majority of the deceased, after the typhoon capsized 1,855 fishing boats, as well as 28 ships bound for the ocean. Many of the fishermen resided in their boats at the time and were unable to seek shelter. Other sailors were unaware of the approaching storm.<ref name="hkweat"/> High tides washed many boats ashore, including the ''[[MV Asama Maru (1928)|Asama Maru]]'', the ''[[Conte Verde]]'', and the ''[[MS Van Heutsz (1926)|Van Heutsz]]''.<ref name="smwr"/> |
The powerful typhoon killed thousands of people in Hong Kong, with a death toll between 11,000–13,000. This accounted for roughly 1% of the territory's population of 1 million.<ref name="hkweat">{{cite report|publisher=Hong Kong Observatory|url=https://www.hko.gov.hk/tc/publica/gen_pub/files/WeatheringTheStorm-2.pdf|format=PDF|title=A Review of Natural Disasters of the Past|accessdate=April 26, 2024}}</ref><ref name="dead"/> Fishermen accounted for majority of the deceased, after the typhoon capsized 1,855 fishing boats, as well as 28 ships bound for the ocean. Many of the fishermen resided in their boats at the time and were unable to seek shelter. Other sailors were unaware of the approaching storm.<ref name="hkweat"/> High tides washed many boats ashore, including the ''[[MV Asama Maru (1928)|Asama Maru]]'', the ''[[SS Conte Verde|Conte Verde]]'', and the ''[[MS Van Heutsz (1926)|Van Heutsz]]''.<ref name="smwr"/> |
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On the mainland, the typhoon swept away an entire village in [[Tai Po Market]], while half of [[Sha Tau Kok]] was wrecked. Across Hong Kong, the storm damaged houses and factories. Fires blazed at seven stores on [[Connaught Road]] during the storm.<ref name="hkweat"/> |
On the mainland, the typhoon swept away an entire village in [[Tai Po Market]], while half of [[Sha Tau Kok]] was wrecked. Across Hong Kong, the storm damaged houses and factories. Fires blazed at seven stores on [[Connaught Road]] during the storm.<ref name="hkweat"/> |
Revision as of 17:58, 27 April 2024
Meteorological history | |
---|---|
Formed | 24 August 1937 |
Dissipated | 4 September 1937 |
Typhoon | |
Highest winds | 185 km/h (115 mph) |
Lowest pressure | 958 hPa (mbar); 28.29 inHg |
Overall effects | |
Fatalities | About 13,000 |
Areas affected | |
IBTrACS | |
Part of the 1937 Pacific typhoon season |
The 1937 Great Hong Kong Typhoon was one of the deadliest typhoons in Hong Kong history, with a death toll estimated between 11,000–13,000. Part of the 1937 Pacific typhoon season, the tropical cyclone originated on August 24 to the south of Guam, which proceeded generally to the west-northwest. On September 1, the storm entered the South China Sea, and early the next day, the typhoon passed just south of Hong Kong before making landfall in southern China. It weakened after moving ashore, dissipating on September 3.
The territory suffered at least 11,000 fatalities,[1] while nearby Macau lost 21 people.[2]
Background
Victoria Harbour at the time was the seventh busiest in the world.[citation needed] It was always busy with sampans, junks, ferries, cargo ships, ocean liners, yachts and warships.[3]
The Hong Kong Observatory (HKO) was established in 1883, and a year later, the agency warned the public of an approaching typhoon using a gun. The system was replaced with bomb detonations, beginning in 1907. A decade later, the HKO introduced a numbered warning system to the public, with no. 1 as standby. The highest rating, no. 10, meant the potential for typhoon conditions, or maximum sustained winds of at least 119 km/h (74 mph).[4]
Meteorological history
The origins of the typhoon were from a storm located 320 km (200 mi) south of Guam on August 24. The September 1937 issue of the Monthly Weather Review described that "there was little evidence of its potentialities", as the storm moved west-northwestward across the western Pacific Ocean. On August 28, the USS Ramapo encountered the storm, observing an barometric pressure of 1003 mbar (29.61 inHg), and sustained winds of 61 km/h (38 mph). The observations suggested that the storm passed just south of the ship, although the intensity of the system was unknown at that point. Around August 30, the storm turned more to the northwest, causing it to remain north and east of majority of the Philippines. On September 1, it went through the Balintang Channel, passing 48 km (30 mi) south of Basco, Batanes. A station there recorded a pressure of 986 mbar (29.102 inHg), as well as a force 12 on the Beaufort scale, indicating hurricane-force winds. Thereafter, the typhoon entered the South China Sea, passing just north of Pratas Island, where a pressure of 993 mbar (29.327 inHg) was recorded.[5][6]
As the typhoon moved across the northern portion of the South China Sea, it intensified rapidly as it moved toward the southern Chinese mainland. On September 2 around 21:00 UTC[nb 1] the typhoon made landfall just west of Hong Kong, after passing only 12 km (7 mi) south of the British colony. The lowest pressure recorded there was 958 mbar (28.298 inHg). The typhoon's exact intensity was unknown, as its squalls of winds surpassed the capacity of the anemometer, which was greater than 201 km/h (125 mph).[5][6][7] The observations suggested that the typhoon struck with winds equivalent to a Category 3 on the Saffir-Simpson scale, or sustained winds of at least 180 km/h (112 mph).[8] The typhoon continued inland and weakened, dissipating northwest of Macau on September 3.[5][6]
Preparations and impacts
Late on August 31, the HKO, then known as Royal Observatory Hong Kong, issued warning signal no. 1, or standby. On the next day, the warning signal was raised to no. 5, which meant that gale force winds were expected for the territory. The HKO upgraded the warning further to no. 10, meaning that typhoon-force winds were expected, at 17:58 UTC on September 1 (1:58 a.m. September 2 local time). Twelve minutes later, officials fired typhoon bombs to warn the public.[5] This marked the last occasion that typhoon bombs were used.[4] The no. 10 warning signal was issued overnight, and less than two hours before the typhoon made its closest approach.[5] As a result, the typhoon was largely unexpected.[7]
As it moved ashore southern China, the typhoon produced a variety of damaging effects. Wind gusts reached at least 241 km/h (150 mph) in Hong Kong, when the piston of the anemometer stopped and failed to record any higher measurements.[7] The mean hourly wind average there reached 109 km/h (68 mph).[5] Along the coast, the powerful typhoon increased tides, with waves estimated at 9.1 m (30 ft) in Tolo Harbour. The high water mark at Tai Po was estimated at 6.2 metres (20.5 ft).[7] During its passage, the typhoon also dropped heavy rainfall, totaling 128.4 mm (5.055 in).[5]
The powerful typhoon killed thousands of people in Hong Kong, with a death toll between 11,000–13,000. This accounted for roughly 1% of the territory's population of 1 million.[9][8] Fishermen accounted for majority of the deceased, after the typhoon capsized 1,855 fishing boats, as well as 28 ships bound for the ocean. Many of the fishermen resided in their boats at the time and were unable to seek shelter. Other sailors were unaware of the approaching storm.[9] High tides washed many boats ashore, including the Asama Maru, the Conte Verde, and the Van Heutsz.[5]
On the mainland, the typhoon swept away an entire village in Tai Po Market, while half of Sha Tau Kok was wrecked. Across Hong Kong, the storm damaged houses and factories. Fires blazed at seven stores on Connaught Road during the storm.[9]
In 1938, the HKO published a report assessing the costs of typhoon damage over the preceding ten years. The 1937 typhoon accounted for 38% of the costs over the ten-year period, with the repairs reaching about HK$586,000.[9][nb 2]
See also
- 1906 Hong Kong typhoon
- 1908 Hong Kong typhoon
- Typhoon Wanda (1962) - one of the most intense typhoons in Hong Kong
- List of the deadliest tropical cyclones
Notes
- ^ Dates and times are listed in Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) unless otherwise stated.
- ^ Dates and times are listed in Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) unless otherwise stated.
References
- ^ Strzepek, Kenneth M., Smith, Joel B. [1995] (1995). As Climate Changes: International Impacts and Implications. Cambridge, Cambridge University Press. ISBN 0-521-46796-9.
- ^ "MACAO TYPHOON DAMAGE. MANY LIVES LOST ON SHORE. FISHING FLEETS SUFFER". The Hongkong Telegraph (page 4). 4 September 1937.
- ^ Time magazine. "Time magazine 1937 account." Hong Kong Typhoon: Monday, Sep. 13, 1937. Retrieved on 2007-12-19.
- ^ a b W.H. Lui, T.C. Lee and C.M. Shun (January 2018). Evolution of the Tropical Cyclone Warning Systems in Hong Kong since 1884 (PDF) (Report). Technical Report No. 109. Hong Kong Observatory. Retrieved 26 April 2024.
- ^ a b c d e f g h Reverend Bernard F. Doucette. "Typhoons and Depressions over the Far East, September 1937" (PDF). Monthly Weather Review. 65 (9). Retrieved 25 April 2024.
- ^ a b c "1937 Not Named (1937240N13136)". International Best Track Archive for Climate Stewardship. Retrieved 25 April 2024.
- ^ a b c d "Typhoon Wanda August 27 to September 2, 1962". Hong Kong Observatory. Retrieved 26 April 2024.
- ^ a b Guangqing Huang; Wyss Yim (2007). "Reconstruction of an 8,000-Year Record of Typhoons in the Pearl River Estuary, China" (PDF). Environmental Science. Retrieved 26 April 2024.
- ^ a b c d A Review of Natural Disasters of the Past (PDF) (Report). Hong Kong Observatory. Retrieved 26 April 2024.