| Typhoon (JMA) | |
|---|---|
| Category 4 super typhoon (SSHS) | |
| Typhoon Mireille in the Western Pacific | |
| Formed | September 15, 1991 |
| Dissipated | September 27, 1991 |
| Highest winds | 10-minute sustained: 185 km/h (115 mph) 1-minute sustained: 240 km/h (150 mph) |
| Lowest pressure | 925 mbar (hPa; 27.32 inHg) |
| Fatalities | 66 total |
| Damage | $10 billion (1991 USD) |
| Areas affected | Japan |
| Part of the 1991 Pacific typhoon season | |
Super Typhoon Mireille (international designation: 9119, JTWC designation: 21W, PAGASA designation: Oniang) 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.
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A poorly organized area of convection was first noted in the monsoon trough over the southern Marshall Islands on September 13. It slowly organized,[1] and became a tropical depression on September 15 (though operationally it was upgraded a day later).[2] 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 miles per hour (140 km/h) it weakened due to the larger circulation of Tropical Storm Luke to Mireille's north.[1]
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 mph (240 km/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.[1]
On September 25 and 26, after weakening to a 135 mph (220 km/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 mph (170 km/h) typhoon. It accelerated over the Sea of Japan, and became extratropical late on September 27.[1] The extratropical renmant continued to the northeast, crossing Honshū and southern Hokkaidō before going out to sea.[2]
| Costliest Pacific typhoons Cost refers to total estimated property damage. |
|||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | Typhoon | Season | Damages | 2012 USD | |
| 1 | Mireille | 1991 | $10 billion | $16.1 billion | |
| 2 | Songda | 2004 | $9 billion | $10.5 billion | |
| 3 | Prapiroon | 2000 | $6 billion | $7.65 billion | |
| 4 | Bart | 1999 | $5 billion | $6.59 billion | |
| 5 | Maemi | 2003 | $4.5 billion | $5.37 billion | |
| 6 | Bilis | 2006 | $4.4 billion | $4.8 billion | |
| 7 | Rusa | 2002 | $4.2 billion | $5.13 billion | |
| 8 | Flo | 1990 | $4 billion | $6.72 billion | |
| 9 | Winnie | 1997 | $3.2 billion | $4.38 billion | |
| 10 | Saomai | 2006 | $2.51 billion | $2.74 billion | |
| Source: International Disaster Database: Disaster List | |||||
When Mireille was approaching the Marianas Islands, disaster preparations were undertaken from Guam through Saipan..[3] At Misawa Air Base, advanced warning allow million-dollar aircraft to be protected in hardened hangars, minimizing damage.[4]
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 (258 mm) of rain.[5] In South Korea, two people were killed with two missing.[6]
Mireille was the strongest typhoon to hit Japan since 1961. Damage was widespread in 41 of 47 prefectures.[7] 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.[4] More than 20,000 buildings were destroyed or damaged, and a total of 47 watercraft were sunk, capsized, or blown ashore.[7] 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.[4] 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.[8] Transportation in Japan was disrupted, with 500 domestic flights cancelled, stranding 58,000, and hindering road, rail, and ferry traffic.[9] Mireille caused a total of $6.91 billion in insured losses, the costliest natural disaster of 1991.[10]
Due to the destruction in Japan, the name Mireille was retired and was replaced by Melissa.[11]
