Typhoon Ruth (1951)

Typhoon Ruth was a typhoon that hit Japan in October 1951.

Preparations

Storm warnings were issued for southern Japan on October 13. Planes in Tokyo were grounded and courier service to Korea was suspended.

Impact

Ruth impacted Japan between October 13–15, killing 572 people and injuring another 2,644; 371 people were left unaccounted for. Many of these deaths arose from river flooding triggered by Ruth. The storm damaged 221,118 homes and 9,596 ships, as well as some 3.5 million bushels of rice. Due to Ruth's large size, much of the country was affected by the typhoon's winds and rains. A peak wind gust of and a rainfall total of was recorded at Kamiyaku, Kagoshima; both of these values were the highest recorded in Japan from Ruth. Yamaguchi Prefecture was most severely impacted by the typhoon. Coastal areas were inundated and communications were disrupted. Winds reaching 150 km/h and waves high struck Sasebo, Nagasaki, sinking ships and damaging others in the harbor; among them were warships deployed for the Korean War. American military installations throughout Japan incurred over US$1 million in damage. Overall property damage in Japan was estimated at US$25 million, affecting an estimated 123,773 people; total damage to property, crops, and forests reached US$55 million.