Typhoon Tess (1953)

Map plotting the track and the intensity of the storm, according to the Saffir–Simpson scale

On September 16, a weak tropical cyclone was formed in the eastern Caroline Islands.[4] It remained relatively weak until around the September 21, but on the 22nd it strengthened rapidly. The pressure of Typhoon Tess was 993 millibars (29.3 inHg) at 9:00 (JST) on the same day, and dropped to 900mb at 15:00 JST.[5] Such a sudden increase in power is extremely rare. This pressure drop corresponds to the largest of Pacific typhoons since 1951.[6][7] Tess finally crossed the Shima Peninsula and made landfall to Aichi Prefecture on the September 25.[1]

The number of people killed by Tess was 393, while 85 were missing.[1][3] Japan suffered some large-scale disasters with more than 1,000 of casualties. When compared to the June 1953 North Kyushu flood and Kishū flood, the damage caused by Typhoon Tess was relatively mild but still destructive, with 86,398 houses are destroyed, 495,875 flooded houses, 318,657 hectares of damaged agricultural fields and 5,582 damaged ships.[3]

Effects of Typhoon Tess

Typhoon Tess at Osaka

Typhoon Tess at Tokyo

Typhoon Tess at Aichi prefecture

Typhoon Tess at Aichi prefecture

Sign indicating the flood level by Tess in Kyoto

Storm surge damages caused by a large number of typhoons were interfering with Japan's post-war recovery, especially Typhoon No. 13 of 1953.[8] The history of Japan's modern typhoon-induced coastal disaster prevention works began with Typhoon Tess in 1953 and led to the enactment of the Coast Act in 1956.[9]