Typhoon Mireille
Encyclopedia
Super Typhoon Mireille was one of the deadliest typhoons of the 1991 Pacific typhoon season
(next to Typhoon Gladys and Tropical Storm Thelma) as it crossed Japan
in September.
on September 13. It slowly organized, and became a tropical depression on September 15 (though operationally it was upgraded a day later). It continued to strengthen, reaching tropical storm status later on the September 15 and typhoon strength the next day. Mireille was a small storm, and after reaching a primary peak of 85 mi/h it weakened due to the larger circulation of Tropical Storm Luke to Mireille's north.
After passing close to Guam
and Saipan
yet remaining far enough away to not cause much damage, Mireille escaped Luke's harm, and restrengthened. Initially a small storm, the typhoon increased in size from this point until its death. On September 21 and 22, it rapidly intensified to a peak of 150 mi/h winds, and began to execute the Fujiwhara effect
with Typhoon Nat in the South China Sea. After sending Nat southward, Mireille tuned to the northwest, retaining its peak intensity for two more days.
On September 25 and 26, after weakening to a 135 mi/h typhoon, Mireille recurved to the northeast under the influence of mid-level winds weakening the subtropical ridge. It continued to weaken over cooler waters, and hit southwestern Japan
on September 27 as a 105 mi/h typhoon. It accelerated over the Sea of Japan
, and became extratropical late on September 27. The extratropical renmant continued to the northeast, crossing Honshū
and southern Hokkaidō
before going out to sea.
, advanced warning allow million-dollar aircraft to be protected in hardened hangars, minimizing damage.
While passing through the islands of the West Pacific, the storm brought heavy flooding and winds, causing moderate crop damage but relieving a water shortage. No one was killed or injured on those islands. Okinawa got 10.14 inches (257.6 mm) of rain. In South Korea, two people were killed with two missing.
Mireille was the strongest typhoon to hit Japan since 1961. Damage was widespread in 41 of 47 prefectures
.
In Japan, Mireille caused extensive crop damage amounting to $3 billion (1991 USD), the worst affected being the apple. A total of 52 people were killed from the flooding and high winds, including all ten hands aboard a Korean freighter that sank while in port at Hakata
. Power outages effected six million people, 10,000 were left homeless, and 777 people were injured. More than 20,000 buildings were destroyed or damaged, and a total of 47 watercraft were sunk, capsized, or blown ashore. Misawa AB on Hokkaido had roofs blown off warehouses and trees blown over as the base was battered by gales for more than five hours, including a record gust. Two of Mazda
's loading docks in Hiroshima
were completely destroyed, effecting American inventories of 1992 Mazda 929
's until the end of November 1991. Transportation in Japan was disrupted, with 500 domestic flights cancelled, stranding 58,000, and hindering road, rail, and ferry traffic. Mireille caused a total of $6.91 billion in insured losses, the costliest natural disaster of 1991.
Due to the destruction in Japan, the name Mireille was retired and was replaced by Melissa.
1991 Pacific typhoon season
Tropical Storm Enrique formed in the eastern Pacific basin, where it reached it's peak intensity as a category 1 Hurricane, becoming Hurricane Enrique. Enrique lasted for 6 days before becoming a remnant low, shortly after entering in the central Pacific....
(next to Typhoon Gladys and Tropical Storm Thelma) as it crossed Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
in September.
Meteorological history
A poorly organized area of convection was first noted in the monsoon trough over the southern Marshall IslandsMarshall Islands
The Republic of the Marshall Islands , , is a Micronesian nation of atolls and islands in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, just west of the International Date Line and just north of the Equator. As of July 2011 the population was 67,182...
on September 13. It slowly organized, and became a tropical depression on September 15 (though operationally it was upgraded a day later). It continued to strengthen, reaching tropical storm status later on the September 15 and typhoon strength the next day. Mireille was a small storm, and after reaching a primary peak of 85 mi/h it weakened due to the larger circulation of Tropical Storm Luke to Mireille's north.
After passing close to Guam
Guam
Guam is an organized, unincorporated territory of the United States located in the western Pacific Ocean. It is one of five U.S. territories with an established civilian government. Guam is listed as one of 16 Non-Self-Governing Territories by the Special Committee on Decolonization of the United...
and Saipan
Saipan
Saipan is the largest island of the United States Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands , a chain of 15 tropical islands belonging to the Marianas archipelago in the western Pacific Ocean with a total area of . The 2000 census population was 62,392...
yet remaining far enough away to not cause much damage, Mireille escaped Luke's harm, and restrengthened. Initially a small storm, the typhoon increased in size from this point until its death. On September 21 and 22, it rapidly intensified to a peak of 150 mi/h winds, and began to execute the Fujiwhara effect
Fujiwhara effect
The Fujiwhara effect or Fujiwara interaction, named after Sakuhei Fujiwhara, is a type of interaction between two nearby cyclonic vortices, causing them to appear to "orbit" each other.-Description:...
with Typhoon Nat in the South China Sea. After sending Nat southward, Mireille tuned to the northwest, retaining its peak intensity for two more days.
On September 25 and 26, after weakening to a 135 mi/h typhoon, Mireille recurved to the northeast under the influence of mid-level winds weakening the subtropical ridge. It continued to weaken over cooler waters, and hit southwestern Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
on September 27 as a 105 mi/h typhoon. It accelerated over the Sea of Japan
Sea of Japan
The Sea of Japan is a marginal sea of the western Pacific Ocean, between the Asian mainland, the Japanese archipelago and Sakhalin. It is bordered by Japan, North Korea, Russia and South Korea. Like the Mediterranean Sea, it has almost no tides due to its nearly complete enclosure from the Pacific...
, and became extratropical late on September 27. The extratropical renmant continued to the northeast, crossing Honshū
Honshu
is the largest island of Japan. The nation's main island, it is south of Hokkaido across the Tsugaru Strait, north of Shikoku across the Inland Sea, and northeast of Kyushu across the Kanmon Strait...
and southern Hokkaidō
Hokkaido
, formerly known as Ezo, Yezo, Yeso, or Yesso, is Japan's second largest island; it is also the largest and northernmost of Japan's 47 prefectural-level subdivisions. The Tsugaru Strait separates Hokkaido from Honshu, although the two islands are connected by the underwater railway Seikan Tunnel...
before going out to sea.
Preparations, impact, and aftermath
When Mireille was approaching the Marianas Islands, disaster preparations were undertaken from Guam through Saipan.. At Misawa Air BaseMisawa Air Base
right|thumb|A US Navy C-2 at Misawa is a United States military facility located northeast of the railway station in Misawa, west of the Pacific Ocean, northeast of Towada, northwest of Hachinohe, and north of Tokyo, in Aomori Prefecture, in the Tōhoku region in the northern part of the...
, advanced warning allow million-dollar aircraft to be protected in hardened hangars, minimizing damage.
While passing through the islands of the West Pacific, the storm brought heavy flooding and winds, causing moderate crop damage but relieving a water shortage. No one was killed or injured on those islands. Okinawa got 10.14 inches (257.6 mm) of rain. In South Korea, two people were killed with two missing.
Mireille was the strongest typhoon to hit Japan since 1961. Damage was widespread in 41 of 47 prefectures
Prefectures of Japan
The prefectures of Japan are the country's 47 subnational jurisdictions: one "metropolis" , Tokyo; one "circuit" , Hokkaidō; two urban prefectures , Osaka and Kyoto; and 43 other prefectures . In Japanese, they are commonly referred to as...
.
In Japan, Mireille caused extensive crop damage amounting to $3 billion (1991 USD), the worst affected being the apple. A total of 52 people were killed from the flooding and high winds, including all ten hands aboard a Korean freighter that sank while in port at Hakata
Hakata
Hakata may refer to:*Hakata-ku, Fukuoka, a ward in Fukuoka Prefecture, Japan.**Hakata ningyō , traditional Japanese clay dolls, originally from Hakata*Hakata Station, a large train station in Fukuoka...
. Power outages effected six million people, 10,000 were left homeless, and 777 people were injured. More than 20,000 buildings were destroyed or damaged, and a total of 47 watercraft were sunk, capsized, or blown ashore. Misawa AB on Hokkaido had roofs blown off warehouses and trees blown over as the base was battered by gales for more than five hours, including a record gust. Two of Mazda
Mazda
is a Japanese automotive manufacturer based in Fuchū, Aki District, Hiroshima Prefecture, Japan.In 2007, Mazda produced almost 1.3 million vehicles for global sales...
's loading docks in Hiroshima
Hiroshima
is the capital of Hiroshima Prefecture, and the largest city in the Chūgoku region of western Honshu, the largest island of Japan. It became best known as the first city in history to be destroyed by a nuclear weapon when the United States Army Air Forces dropped an atomic bomb on it at 8:15 A.M...
were completely destroyed, effecting American inventories of 1992 Mazda 929
Mazda 929
The Mazda 929 was originally a mid-size car from 1973–1987 and as a full-size car thereafter. Marketed over three decades, the 929 was originally the export name for the Mazda Luce. When equipped with a rotary engine, it was called the Mazda RX-4 in export markets...
's until the end of November 1991. Transportation in Japan was disrupted, with 500 domestic flights cancelled, stranding 58,000, and hindering road, rail, and ferry traffic. Mireille caused a total of $6.91 billion in insured losses, the costliest natural disaster of 1991.
Due to the destruction in Japan, the name Mireille was retired and was replaced by Melissa.
