Typhoon Mireille
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| Category 4 super typhoon (SSHS) | ||
|---|---|---|
 Typhoon Mireille in the Western Pacific |
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| Formed | September 15, 1991 | |
| Dissipated | September 27, 1991 | |
| Highest winds |
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| Lowest pressure | 910 mbar (hPa) | |
| Damage | $3 billion (1991 USD) $4.23 billion (2005 USD) |
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| Fatalities | 52 direct | |
| Areas affected |
Japan | |
| Part of the 1991 Pacific typhoon season |
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Super Typhoon Mireille was the deadliest typhoon of the 1991 Pacific typhoon season as it crossed Japan in September.
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[edit] Storm history
A poorly organized area of convection was first noted in the monsoon trough over the southern Marshall Islands on September 13. It slowly organized, and became a tropical depression on September 15 (though operationally it was upgraded a day later). It continued to strengthen, reaching tropical storm status later on the 15th and typhoon strength on the 16th. Mireille was a small storm, and after reaching a primary peak of 85 mph it weakened due to the larger circulation of Tropical Storm Luke to Mireille's north.
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 22nd, it rapidly intensified to a peak of 150 mph 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 2 more days.
On September 25 and 26th after weakening to a 135 mph typhoon, Mireille recurved to the northeast under the influence of mid-level winds weakening the subtropical ridge. It continued to weaken over the cooler waters, and hit southwestern Japan on the 27th as a 105 mph typhoon. It accelerated over the Sea of Japan, and became extratropical late on the 27th. The extratropical renmant continued to the northeast, crossing Honshū and southern Hokkaido before going out to sea.
[edit] Impact
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.
In Japan, Mireille caused extensive crop damage amounting to $3 billion (1991 USD), the worst effected being the apple. 52 people were killed from the flooding and high winds.
Due to the destruction in Japan, the name Mireille was retired and was replaced by Melissa.
