Typhoon Helen (1972)
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| Category 3 typhoon (SSHS) | ||
|---|---|---|
 Typhoon Helen southeast of Okinawa on September 15, 1972 |
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| Formed | September 13, 1972 | |
| Dissipated | September 17, 1972 | |
| Highest winds |
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| Lowest pressure | 955 hPa (mbar) | |
| Fatalities | 70 direct, 2 indirect | |
| Damage | $102 million (1972 USD) $525 million (2008 USD) |
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| Areas affected |
Japan, South Korea | |
| Part of the 1972 Pacific typhoon season |
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Typhoon Helen (designated Typhoon Paring by PAGASA)[1] was the 20th named storm and 13th typhoon of the 1972 Pacific typhoon season. A mid-September Category 3 typhoon, Helen caused significant damage across eastern Japan leaving 72 people dead and $102 million (1972 USD, $436 million 2005 USD) in damage.
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[edit] Storm history
A broad area of low pressure formed near Guam and became Tropical Storm Helen on September 13.
Taking a northwesterly course along a high pressure system, Helen reached typhoon status on September 14 and veered further to the northeast because of a low pressure trough to the west. The trough and a high pressure system over the coast of Japan caused Helen to accelerate in forward speed on September 15. Helen reached a peak intensity of 115 mph before making landfall near Cape Kushimoto on September 16, passing between Osaka and Nagoya before entering the Sea of Japan twelve hours later. Helen then made a counter-clockwise loop before becoming extratropical on September 17.
[edit] Impact
Several weather stations along the coast of Japan recorded 80 mph (129 km/h) winds with gusts reaching 113 mph (182 km/h). Helen's heavy rains disrupted air, sea, and land transport and caused flashflooding that left 38 people dead, 158 others injured and over 70,000 homes and buildings damaged or destroyed. Helen also spawned a rare tornado that touched down north of Tokyo, destroying eight homes. Offshore, nine cargo ships ran aground and two fishing boats sank drowning 24 crewmen. [2] Helen's second landfall was in HokkaidÅ as a tropical depression on September 17. The heavy rains as high as 31 inches (787 mm) from the system caused flashfloods and landslides that left eight dead and two missing. Helen also generated waves that killed two people in South Korea.[2]
In all, Typhoon Helen left 72 dead and caused $102 million in damage (1972 USD, $436 million 2005 USD), making Helen the most destructive typhoon to strike Japan during the 1972 season.
[edit] Lack of retirement
Despite the damage and death toll, the name Helen was not retired and was reused in future years.
