Typhoon Bess (1974)

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Typhoon Bess (Susang)
Hainan Island, northern Vietnam
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Part of the 1974 Pacific typhoon season

Typhoon Bess, known in the Philippines as Typhoon Susang, was responsible for the

Hainan Island as a tropical storm on October 12 before diminishing to a tropical depression. The depression briefly moved back over water before dissipating in northern Vietnam
on October 14.

Bess produced heavy rains throughout the Philippines, especially in Luzon where 782.3 mm (30.80 in) was measured in Baguio. These rains triggered extensive flooding and landslides that killed 26 people and left 3 others missing. Many homes were destroyed and damage amounted to $9.2 million (1974 USD). On October 12, a reconnaissance plane, with a crew of six, investigating the periphery of the storm went missing. It is presumed that the entire crew was lost when the aircraft crashed off the coast of Luzon. Though the center remained offshore, strong winds and high tides also impacted Hong Kong, causing minor flooding.

Meteorological history

Map plotting the storm's track and intensity, according to the Saffir–Simpson scale
Map key
Saffir–Simpson scale
  Tropical depression (≤38 mph, ≤62 km/h)
  Tropical storm (39–73 mph, 63–118 km/h)
  Category 1 (74–95 mph, 119–153 km/h)
  Category 2 (96–110 mph, 154–177 km/h)
  Category 3 (111–129 mph, 178–208 km/h)
  Category 4 (130–156 mph, 209–251 km/h)
  Category 5 (≥157 mph, ≥252 km/h)
  Unknown
Storm type
triangle Extratropical cyclone, remnant low, tropical disturbance, or monsoon depression

On October 6, 1974, the

subtropical ridge to the north, the system gradually organized, passing near Ulithi atoll on October 7. Accompanied by a broad monsoonal flow, the disturbance featured multiple centers of circulation. On October 8, it developed into a tropical depression and soon into a tropical storm, at which time it was assigned the name Bess. Early on October 9, an aircraft reconnaissance mission into Bess revealed that a new dominant center of circulation had developed to the north of the original low. The southern low soon dissipated as the northern one became a tropical storm. The northern system retained the name Bess and is considered the same storm by the JTWC.[1]

After the northern circulation became the dominant center on October 9, a deepening

inHg) was recorded in Tuguegarao as the typhoon passed 55 km (34 mi) to the north.[1]

Due to the interaction with the high terrain of northern Luzon, Bess temporarily weakened to a tropical storm before regaining typhoon strength over the

Hainan Island with winds of 85 km/h (53 mph) before lessening to a tropical depression. The dissipating system emerged over the Gulf of Tonkin on October 14 and ultimately dissipated as it began moving ashore in northern Vietnam later that day.[1]

Impact

A WC-130H Hercules similar to the one that crashed over the South China Sea

Striking northern Luzon as a typhoon, Bess produced damaging winds and torrential rainfall across the region. Gusts peaked at 178 km/h (111 mph) in

Aparri, Cagayan while Baguio experienced gusts of 150 km/h (93 mph).[1] Communication across the region was greatly disrupted as numerous power lines and trees were downed.[4] While much of the peninsula received 130 to 150 mm (5 to 6 in) of rain, a 24‑hour maxima of 782.3 mm (30.8 in) was reported in Baguio. The rainfall triggered widespread flash flooding and landslides, resulting in 26 fatalities and extensive damage.[1] One death took place in Baguio after a girl was buried in a landslide.[4] At least three other people were reported missing.[1] In a town roughly 805 km (500 mi) south of Manila, a landslide destroyed eight homes and a school.[5] Flood waters inundated four villages in the central Philippines.[5] The storm affected a total of 35,562 people, of which about 4,000 became homeless.[5][6] Total losses amounted to $9.2 million (1974 USD).[7]

On October 11, a level one warning signal was raised for Hong Kong, indicating that a tropical cyclone was approaching the region. This was soon raised to level three as strong winds were expected to affect the area. Although the center of Bess passed roughly 305 km (190 mi) south of Hong Kong, the pressure gradient between the tropical storm and high pressure to the north resulted in strong winds across the region. On Pratas Island, Taiwan (ROC), winds of 50 knots and a sea-level pressure of 987.2 millibars[2]: 21  were reported. In Hong Kong itself, winds reached 45 km/h (28 mph) and gusted to 85 km/h (53 mph). Gusts up to 113 km/h (70 mph) occurred on Tate's Cairn. In contrast to the unusually strong winds, Bess produced virtually no rainfall as it passed by, with only a trace of precipitation measured between October 11 and 14 in Hong Kong. Along the coast, abnormally high tides combined with storm surge flooded low-lying areas of the city. Tides at Tai Po Kau reached 3.6 m (12 ft) with a surge of 1.5 m (4.9 ft). Sea water leaked into the city's underground sewage system and caused minor flooding in the area's western district. Some property damage was reported.[2]

While over the South China Sea on October 12, a

403d Wing.[8]

Because of the damage and loss of life caused by the storm, the name Bess was retired and replaced with Bonnie. However, when the list of typhoon names was changed to incorporate male names in 1979, the name was re-introduced to the roster. Coincidentally, it was again retired in 1982 when a powerful storm named Bess caused extensive damage and loss of life in Japan.[7]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m "Annual Tropical Cyclone Report: Bess" (PDF). Joint Typhoon Warning Center. United States Navy. 1975. pp. 39–40. Archived from the original (PDF) on September 25, 2018. Retrieved May 2, 2013.
  2. ^
    Royal Observatory, Hong Kong. 1975. pp. 21–24. Archived
    (PDF) from the original on 16 August 2009. Retrieved May 2, 2013.
  3. ^ Michael V. Padua (June 11, 2008). "PAGASA Tropical Cyclones 1963–1988". Typhoon2000. Archived from the original on August 27, 2015. Retrieved May 2, 2013.
  4. ^ a b "Typhoon Completes Sweep". Reading Eagle. Manila, Philippines. October 12, 1974. p. 12. Retrieved May 2, 2013.
  5. ^ a b c "Typhoon Bess in China Sea". St. Joseph News-Press. Manila, Philippines. Associated Press. October 13, 1974. p. 2A. Retrieved May 2, 2013.
  6. ^ "Destructive Typhoons 1970-2003". National Disaster Coordinating Council. November 9, 2004. Archived from the original on November 9, 2004. Retrieved May 2, 2013.
  7. ^
    doi:10.6057/2012TCRR01.03
    . Retrieved May 1, 2013.
  8. ^ a b "Swan 38 Scholarship". Hurricane Hunters Association. 2013. Retrieved May 2, 2013.
  9. ^ a b c United Press International (October 14, 1974). "Aircraft Wreckage Spotted". The News and Courier. Manila, Philippines. p. 3A. Retrieved May 2, 2013.
  10. ^ "Plane Missing". The Sumter Daily Item. Manila, Philippines. Associated Press. October 15, 1974. p. 9A. Retrieved May 2, 2013.
  11. ^ "ASN Aircraft Accident: Lockheed WC-130H Hercules 65-0965 South China Sea". Aviation Safety Network. 2013. Retrieved May 2, 2013.
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