 Surface weather analysis of the typhoon on 1 September in theSouth China Sea | |
| Meteorological history | |
|---|---|
| Formed | 24 August 1937 (1937-08-24) |
| Dissipated | 4 September 1937 (1937-09-04) |
| Typhoon | |
| Highest winds | 185 km/h (115 mph) |
| Lowest pressure | 953hPa (mbar); 28.14 inHg |
| Overall effects | |
| Fatalities | At least 11,000 |
| Damage | $300,000 (1937USD) |
| Areas affected | SouthernChina, especiallyHong Kong |
IBTrACS | |
Part of the1937 Pacific typhoon season | |
The1937 Great Hong Kong Typhoon was one of thedeadliest typhoons inHong Kong history, with a death toll estimated between 11,000 and 13,000. Part of the1937 Pacific typhoon season, thetropical cyclone originated on 24 August to the south ofGuam, which proceeded generally to the west-northwest. On 1 September the storm entered theSouth China Sea, and early the next day, the typhoon passed just south of Hong Kong before makinglandfall in southernChina. It weakened after moving ashore, dissipating on 3 September.
Ahead of the storm's landfall, theHong Kong Observatory (HKO)[nb 1] issuedwarning signals and set off explosives, known as a typhoon bomb, to warn the public. During its closest approach, the typhoon produced wind gusts of at least 201 km/h (125 mph), although its true intensity was unknown, as the gusts surpassed the capacity of theanemometer. Unofficial nearby observations recorded gusts as high as 268 km/h (167 mph). The typhoon also produced heavy rainfall and high tides, with ahigh water mark atTai Po estimated at 6.25 metres (20.5 ft). The typhoon killed at least 11,000 people, possibly as many as 13,000, many of them fishermen, with 1,855 fishing boats wrecked, as well as 28 ships bound for the ocean. Across the territory, the storm damaged houses, factories, roads, and rail lines, with damage estimated atHK$1 million (US$300,000). NearbyMacau lost 21 people.
Ahead of the typhoon,Victoria Harbour was described as "crowded" in newspapers, amid a naval blockade of eastern China amid theSecond Sino-Japanese War.[1]Time described the harbour as the "seventh busiest in the world... always alive with yachts, junks, ferries, sampans, freighters, liners, men-of-war."[2] TheHong Kong Observatory (HKO) was established in 1883, and a year later, the agency began issuing public warnings of approaching typhoons using a gun. The system was replaced with bomb detonations, beginning in 1907. A decade later, the HKO introduced anumbered warning system to the public, with No. 1 as standby. The highest rating, No. 10, signified the potential for typhoon conditions, ormaximum sustained winds of at least 118 km/h (74 mph).[3][4]
Theorigins of the typhoon were from a storm located 320 km (200 mi) south ofGuam on August 24. The September 1937 issue of theMonthly Weather Review described that "there was little evidence of its potentialities", as the storm moved west-northwestward across the westernPacific Ocean. At 08:00 UTC on August 28,[nb 2] theUSS Ramapo encountered the storm, observing anbarometric pressure of 1,003 mbar (29.61 in Hg), and sustained winds of 61 km/h (38 mph). These observations suggested that the storm passed just south of the ship, although the intensity of the system was unknown at that point. Around August 30, the storm turned more to the northwest, causing it to remain north and east of majority of the Philippines. On September 1, it went through theBalintang Channel, passing 48 km (30 mi) south ofBasco, Batanes. A station there recorded a pressure of 986 mbar (29.102 in Hg), as well as a force 11 on theBeaufort scale, indicating a strengthening storm with winds of at least 105 km/h (65 mph). Thereafter, the typhoon entered theSouth China Sea, passing just north ofPratas Island, where a pressure of 993 mbar (29.327 in Hg) was recorded.[5][6]
As the typhoon moved across the northern portion of the South China Sea toward the southern Chinese mainland, it intensified rapidly.[5] On September 2 around 21:00 UTC (7:00 a.m. local time on September 3) the typhoon madelandfall just west ofHong Kong, after passing only 12 km (7 mi) south of theBritish colony.[6][7] The lowest pressure recorded at the HKO was 958 mbar (28.298 in Hg), while at the harbour, theSS Shuntien observed a pressure of 953 mbar (28.15 inHg).[8][7] The typhoon's exact intensity was unknown, as itssqualls of winds surpassed the capacity of theanemometer, which was greater than 201 km/h (125 mph).[7] The observations suggested that the typhoon struck with winds equivalent to a Category 3 on theSaffir-Simpson scale, or sustained winds of at least 180 km/h (112 mph).[9] The typhoon continued inland and weakened, dissipating over southern China on September 3.[5][6]
On 31 August at 16:35 UTC (12:35 AM on September 1local time) the HKO issued warning signal No. 1, or standby. The following day, at 07:20 UTC (3:20 PM on September 2 local time) the warning signal was raised to No. 5, which meant that gale-force winds were expected for the territory.[5] The issuance prompted larger vessels to leave the harbour and seek shelter in nearby bays.[10] Fishermen and travelers left their ships for typhoon shelters.[11] The HKO upgraded the warning further to No. 10, meaning that typhoon-force winds were expected, at 17:58 UTC on September 1.(1:58 a.m. September 2 local time). Twelve minutes later, officials fired typhoon bombs to warn the public.[5] This marked the last occasion that typhoon bombs were used.[3] The No. 10 warning signal was issued overnight, and less than two hours before the typhoon made its closest approach.[5] As a result, the typhoon's ferocity was largely unexpected.[7]
As it moved ashore southern China, the typhoon produced a variety of damaging effects. Wind gusts were estimated to have reached at least 241 km/h (150 mph) in Hong Kong, although the anemometer was only able to record gusts as high as 201 km/h (125 mph).[10][7] However, a private anemometer 3.2 km (2 mi) east of the HKO recorded a wind gust of 268 km/h (167 mph).[12] The mean hourly wind average in the territory reached 109 km/h (68 mph).[13] Along the coast, the powerful typhoon increased tides, with waves estimated at 9.1 m (30 ft) inTolo Harbour.[7] Thehigh water mark atTai Po was estimated at 6.25 m (20.5 ft), corresponding to astorm surge of 3.81 m (12.5 ft). Victoria Harbour experienced a storm surge of 1.98 m (6.5 ft).[14] During its passage, the typhoon also dropped heavy rainfall, totaling 128.4 mm (5.055 in).[5]
The typhoon killed thousands of people in Hong Kong, with a death toll between 11,000 and 13,000. This accounted for roughly 1% of the territory's population of 1 million.[13][9] However, many of the bodies were washed away and never found, with roughly 500 corpses found in the days after the typhoon. Fishermen accounted for majority of the deceased, after the typhoon capsized 1,855 fishing boats, and the fishermen were unable to seek shelter. The destroyed boats includedsampans, or houseboats, as well as 28 ships bound for the ocean. Other sailors were unaware of the approaching storm.[13] High tides washed many boats ashore and broke other vessels from theirmoorings,[8][2] including theAsama Maru, theConte Verde, and theVan Heutsz. The steamerAn Lee broke from its moorings and struckHMS Suffolk, causing 12 people to jump ship, one of whom missed and drowned. TheAn Lee later hitHMS Duchess. Twenty ships sent outSOS distress signals.[10]
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In mainland Hong Kong, the typhoon swept away an entire village inTai Po Market, resulting in an estimated 300 fatalities.[15] About half ofSha Tau Kok was wrecked,[13] with 30 people killed there.[15] Across Hong Kong, the storm damaged houses and factories while also resulting in power and telephone outages. The winds uprooted trees and knocked down branches. During the height of the storm, nine buildings caught fire and were destroyed, resulting in dozens of deaths, after thefire brigade faced difficulty reaching the area.[10] The high winds tore through roofs, signs, and lampposts, littering the road with debris.[2] The high tides washed away nearly a mile of theKowloon–Canton Railway.[16][15] British officials estimated the total damage at aroundHK$1 million (US$300,000).[2]
Outside of Hong Kong, newspapers described the effects in nearbyMacau as having "suffered severely",[17] with 21 fatalities in the territory.[18] In nearbyCanton, there was a "less severe buffeting" according to newspapers.[17]
Police and other officials used rope to attempt to rescue people caught by the floods.[2] At the harbour, tugs had to assist beached or stranded vessels, although it took six months for theAsama Maru to be moved.[11] The storm occurred concurrently with acholera outbreak in Hong Kong amid the stagnant floodwaters. To prevent a larger outbreak, officials set up 50 clinics for vaccinations. Emergency resources were strained due to the ongoing war and naval blockade, although British and American air shipments helped with the supply.[11] Flooded or blocked roads and railroads disrupted transport, leaving people in Hong Kong stranded for several days.[16] Damage atKai Tak Airport delayed international flights.[15]
In 1938 the HKO published a report assessing the costs of typhoon damage over the preceding ten years. The 1937 typhoon accounted for 39% of these costs, with the repairs reachingHK$585,734.[13][nb 3]
