Typhoon Rose (1971): Difference between revisions

{{Short description|Pacific typhoon in 1971}}

{{Other hurricane uses|Tropical Storm Rose|the 1971 typhoon}}

{{Infobox weather event

| name = Typhoon Rose (Uring)

| image = RoseAug1619710646UTCESSA9.gif

| caption = Typhoon Rose on August 16 over the South China Sea, southwest of Hong Kong

| formed = August 9, 1971

| dissipated = August 17, 1971

}}{{Infobox weather event/JMA

| winds =

| pressure = 960

| category = typhoon

}}{{Infobox weather event/JTWC

| winds = 120

| pressure =

| basin = WPac

}}{{Infobox weather event/Effects

| year = 1971

| fatalities = 134 total

| damage =

| areas = [[Philippines]], [[Hong Kong]], eastern [[People's Republic of China|China]]

| refs =

}}{{Infobox weather event/Footer

| season = [[1971 Pacific typhoon season]]

'''Typhoon Rose''', known in the Philippines as '''Typhoon Uring''', was the most violent and intense [[tropical cyclone]] to strike [[Hong Kong]] since [[Typhoon Wanda (1962)|Typhoon Wanda]] in [[1962 Pacific typhoon season|1962]]. The 21st [[Tropical cyclone naming|named storm]] of the [[1971 Pacific typhoon season]], Rose developed from an area of disturbed weather while west of [[Guam]] on August 9. Moving west-northwestward, the storm briefly became a typhoon on the following day. After weakening to a tropical storm on August 11, Rose re-intensified into a typhoon several hours later. The system then curved westward and reached a primary peak intensity with winds of {{convert|205|km/h|mph|abbr=on}} on August 13. Later that day, the typhoon made landfall near [[Palanan, Isabela]] in the [[Philippines]]. Rose weakened significantly while crossing the island of [[Luzon]] and was a minimal typhoon upon reaching the [[South China Sea]] on August 14.

The storm intensified significantly and re-curved northwestward in response to a weakening [[high-pressure area]]. Early on August 16, Rose attained its [[maximum sustained wind]] speed of {{convert|220|km/h|mph|abbr=on}} – equivalent to a Category 4 hurricane on the [[National Hurricane Center]]'s [[Saffir–Simpson hurricane wind scale]]. Later that day, a ship observed the typhoon's minimum barometric pressure of {{convert|950|mbar|inHg|abbr=on|lk=on}}. Thereafter, the storm weakened slightly before making landfall at [[Lantau Island]], Hong Kong, with winds of {{convert|165|km/h|mph|abbr=on}} late on August 16. Rose rapidly weakened to a tropical storm early the following day and dissipated several hours later.

Mostly minor wind impact was recorded in the Philippines, limited to downed communication lines and damaged houses. Offshore Hong Kong, storm surge and heavy waves sank or severely damaged at least 300 boats, causing 110 deaths and 283 injuries. Inland, heavy rainfall flooded low-lying areas and resulted in numerous landslides. A fire ignited at a large power sub-station in [[Kwun Tong]] and was difficult to extinguish due to strong winds. The fire caused blackouts in [[Kowloon Peninsula]] and [[New Territories]], trapping thousands of people in elevators. A total of 5,644 people were left homeless, while 653 huts were destroyed. Approximately 30,000 telephones became out of service. Twenty other fatalities occurred in Hong Kong.

|url=http://atms.unca.edu/ibtracs/ibtracs_v03r04/browse-ibtracs/index.php?name=v03r04-1971218N08161|work=International Best Track Archive for Climate Stewardship|publisher=University of North Carolina-Asheville|access-date=July 11, 2014}}</ref> By early the next day, [[satellite imagery]] indicated the presence of a small circulation north of [[Chuuk State|Chuuk]]. [[Radar]]s at Fleet Weather Central and [[Andersen Air Force Base]] on [[Guam]] detected spiral [[Convection (meteorology)|convective]] [[Rainband|bands]] crossing the island on August&nbsp;9.<ref name="JTWC ATCR">{{cite report|title=Annual Tropical Cyclone Report: 1971|publisher=United States Navy, United States Air Force|url=http://www.usno.navy.mil/NOOC/nmfc-ph/RSS/jtwc/atcr/1971atcr.pdf|author2=Naval Pacific Meteorology and Oceanography Center|author=Joint Typhoon Warning Center|access-date=July 11, 2014|year=1971}}</ref> At 00:00&nbsp;[[Coordinated Universal Time|UTC]] the following day, the system developed into Tropical Storm Rose while located {{convert|110|mi|km|abbr=on}} west of Guam.<ref name=IBTrACS/> Around that time, a [[reconnaissance aircraft]] flight indicated a "mini-storm" with [[Maximum sustained wind|sustained winds]] between {{convert|40|and|45|mph|km/h|abbr=on}}. Initially, Rose moved west-northwestward at about {{convert|13|mph|km/h|abbr=on}}. The storm was a small cyclone, covering an area of {{convert|100|-|150|mi|km|abbr=on}}.<ref name="JTWC ATCR"/> Rose quickly strengthened and became a typhoon around 12:00&nbsp;UTC on August&nbsp;10. Early the following day, the system briefly weakened back to a tropical storm, before re-acquiring typhoon status hours later.<ref name=IBTrACS/>

Rose intensified further while tracking generally westward at {{convert|16|mph|km/h|abbr=on}}. Around midday on August&nbsp;13, the typhoon attained a primary peak intensity with winds of {{convert|125|mph|km/h|abbr=on}}, equivalent to a Category&nbsp;3 hurricane on the [[Saffir–Simpson hurricane wind scale]]. Rose weakened slightly before making landfall in [[Palanan, Isabela]], [[Philippines]], with winds of {{convert|110|mph|km/h|abbr=on}}.<ref name=IBTrACS/> The storm weakened further while crossing island of [[Luzon]] and emerged into the [[South China Sea]] early on August&nbsp;14 as a minimal typhoon. Rose immediately began to re-intensify. A [[high-pressure area]] that had steered the typhoon for the last several days weakened significantly, causing Rose to re-curving northwestward and decelerated to a forward speed of {{convert|8|mph|km/h|abbr=on}}.<ref name="JTWC ATCR"/> Deepening continued, with the typhoon peaking with [[maximum sustained wind]]s of {{convert|140|mph|km/h|abbr=on}} &ndash; equal to a Category&nbsp;4 hurricane on the Saffir–Simpson hurricane wind scale &ndash; early on August&nbsp;16.<ref name=IBTrACS/> Later that day, a ship in the vicinity of the [[Eye (cyclone)|eye]] observed a barometric pressure of {{convert|950|mbar|inHg|abbr=on}} &ndash; the lowest in relation to the cyclone.<ref name="JTWC ATCR"/>

At around 12:00&nbsp;UTC on August&nbsp;16, reports from the JTWC indicate that Rose weakened slightly while approaching the [[Hong Kong]] and the coast of [[China]]. Hours later, the storm made landfall at [[Lantau Island]] with winds of {{convert|105|mph|km/h|abbr=on}}.<ref name=IBTrACS/> Rose was the most intense typhoon to strike Hong Kong since [[Typhoon Wanda (1962)|Wanda]] in 1962.<ref name="JTWC ATCR"/> Moving inland, the system rapidly weakened to a tropical storm early on August&nbsp;17 and dissipated shortly thereafter.<ref name=IBTrACS/>

In Hong Kong and the [[Hong Kong Observatory|Royal Observatory]], a strong wind signal, no. 3, was hoisted at 13:05&nbsp;UTC on August&nbsp;16. That day, the Royal Observatory warned that because of the small size of Rose, winds might increase rapidly. The storm signal, no. 7, was raised at 05:50&nbsp;UTC on August&nbsp;17. Less than three hours later, the storm signal was changed to no. 8.<ref name="rose"/>

[[Image:USS Regulus (AF-57) aground in Hong Kong, in 1971.jpg|right|thumb|[[USS Regulus (AF-57)|USS Regulus]], a U.S. Navy ship, aground in the harbor area of Hong Kong as a result of the typhoon]]

In the [[Philippines]], a [[Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration]] (PAGASA) station in [[Tuguegarao]] observed sustained winds speeds up to {{convert|86|mph|km/h|abbr=on}}.<ref name="JTWC ATCR"/> However, impact was relatively minor, with [[Luzon]] escaping serious damage. Downed communication lines and damage to houses were reported.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/36805081/|title=Typhoon's Rains Pass Philippines|date=August 14, 1971|agency=[[Associated Press]]|newspaper=[[Charleston Daily Mail]]|page=1|access-date=July 15, 2014|location=Manila, Philippines}} {{subscription required|via=newspapers.com}}</ref>

Rose produced a fog bank before making landfall, which is unusual for a [[tropical cyclone]]. The storm was the strongest cyclone to strike Hong Kong since [[Typhoon Wanda (1962)|Typhoon Wanda]] in 1962. Along the coast, the typhoon generated waves of {{convert|9.5|m|ft|abbr=on}} and a storm surge of {{convert|0.375|m|ft|abbr=on}} was recorded in [[Lantau]]. The storm surge and heavy waves proved dangerous to ships offshore, at least 300&nbsp;boats sank or were badly damaged by the typhoon. Eighty-eight deaths occurred after the Hong Kong-[[Macau]] ferry {{SS|Fatshan|1933|6}} capsized.<ref name="rose"/> The [[USS Regulus (AF-57)|USS Regulus]], a [[United States Navy]] vessel, was among the ships that suffered damage.<ref name="sj">{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1798&dat=19710817&id=afgeAAAAIBAJ&pg=6082,2550140|title=Typhoon Rose Lashes Hong Kong|date=August 17, 1971|agency=[[United Press International]]|newspaper=[[Sarasota Journal]]|access-date=July 22, 2014|page=2|location=Hong Kong}}</ref> Three [[United States Seventh Fleet]] rescue ships searched for survivors. Additionally, [[Royal Navy]] minesweepers and [[Royal Air Force]] whirlwind helicopters also arrived at Hong Kong, with the latter coordinating with the [[Hong Kong Police Force|marine police]].<ref name="tct">{{cite news|url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article110674269?|title=Typhoon toll may top 100|date=August 18, 1971|agency=[[Australian Associated Press]]|newspaper=[[The Canberra Times]]|access-date=July 22, 2014|page=5|location=Hong Kong|via=[[National Library of Australia]]}}</ref> Overall, the sinking ships resulted in 110&nbsp;fatalities,<ref name="rose"/> as well as 300&nbsp;injuries.<ref name="sj"/>

Strong winds were reported, including a gust up to {{convert|278|km/h|mph|abbr=on}} at [[Tai Mo Shan]]. Many scaffolds, signboards, trees, and boughs were knocked down.<ref name="rose">{{cite report|url=http://www.hko.gov.hk/informtc/no10/rose/rose.htm|title=Typhoon Rose August 10 - 17, 1971|date=December 18, 2012|publisher=[[Hong Kong Observatory]]|access-date=July 16, 2014|location=Hong Kong}}</ref> Fire broke out around 15:00&nbsp;UTC on August&nbsp;16 at a large power sub-station in [[Kwun Tong]]. Due to the strong winds, firefighters were unable to sometimes unable to control the flames. By 16:30&nbsp;UTC, the fire was put out. However, it triggered power outages, with blackouts in the [[Kowloon Peninsula]] and [[New Territories]]. Thousands of people were trapped in elevators during the widespread electrical failures.<ref name="rose"/> Heavy rainfall was also recorded, with up to {{convert|161.7|mm|in|abbr=on}} of precipitation. Several low-lying areas were flooded. Numerous landslides blocked approximately 110&nbsp;roads, 30&nbsp;of which were severely obstructed.<ref name="rose"/> One landslide buried four children after crashing into their village hut, killing two, while one survived and was taken to the hospital, and the fourth remained missing.<ref name="tct"/>

A total of 5,644 people &ndash; approximately 1,032&nbsp;families &ndash; were left homeless, with 653&nbsp;huts destroyed. Twenty-four buildings were damaged, with six beyond repair or demolished. Communications were disrupted, with 30,000&nbsp;telephones out of service. Hundreds of pigs and over 40,000&nbsp;chickens as well as other poultry were killed. Roughly 1,356 hectares of vegetable and garden crops damaged. Additionally, 20,000&nbsp;fruit trees were blown down. Considerable loss of pond fish due to overflow was also reported.<ref name="rose"/> On land, Rose was attributed to 24&nbsp;fatalities.<ref name="ctc2">{{cite news|url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article110674834?|title=Typhoon takes nine more lives|date=August 21, 1971|page=4|agency=Australian Associated Press|newspaper=The Canberra Times|access-date=July 22, 2014|location=Hong Kong|via=National Library of Australia}}</ref>

* [[Typhoon Wanda (1962)]] – one of the most intense tropical cyclones on record in Hong Kong

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