10 Deadliest Typhoons in History

What are 10 Deadliest Typhoons in History?

Typhoons are tropical cyclones that occur in the western North Pacific region. While the term is specific to that area, these storms are part of a broader category of destructive weather systems that include hurricanes and cyclones.¹²

Below are 10 of the deadliest typhoons on record, ranked by their approximate human impact:

Name of Typhoon

Date of Impact

Primary Region Affected

Approximate Fatalities

Haiphong typhoon

October 8, 1881

Vietnam

300,000

Typhoon Nina

August 1975

Taiwan, China

171,000–220,000

China typhoon of 1912

August 29, 1912

China

50,000–220,000

Swatow typhoon

August 2–3, 1922

China

More than 70,000

Great Hong Kong Typhoon

September 2, 1937

Hong Kong

More than 11,000

Hong Kong typhoon of 1906

September 18, 1906

Hong Kong

About 10,000

Super Typhoon Haiyan

November 8, 2013

Philippines, Vietnam, China

More than 6,300

Super Typhoon Vera

September 26, 1959

Japan

More than 5,000

Muroto typhoon

September 20–21, 1934

Japan

More than 3,000

Typhoon Ida

September 17, 1945

Japan

More than 2,400

These storms often cause catastrophic loss of life not only through high winds but also through secondary disasters such as storm surges, flooding, and dam failures.²

What is the difference between a typhoon, a hurricane, and a cyclone?

The terms typhoon, hurricane, and cyclone all refer to the same weather phenomenon: a tropical cyclone. These are intense, circular storm systems characterized by low atmospheric pressure, heavy rain, and sustained winds exceeding 119 km (74 miles) per hour.⁴⁵

The distinction between these names is based entirely on the geographical region where the storm occurs:⁶⁷

• Hurricane: Used for tropical cyclones in the North Atlantic and the eastern North Pacific.⁶
• Typhoon: Used for tropical cyclones in the western North Pacific and the South China Sea.⁶⁷
• Cyclone: Used for tropical cyclones in the western South Pacific and the Indian Ocean.⁶

Regardless of the name, these storms are powered by energy from warm ocean surfaces and can cause significant destruction through high winds, storm surges, and flooding.⁴⁵

How do meteorologists measure the strength of a typhoon?

Meteorologists measure the strength of a typhoon—a type of tropical cyclone—primarily by analyzing its maximum sustained surface-wind speeds. These are defined as the highest average wind speeds measured over a one-minute interval at an elevation of 10 meters (32.8 feet) above the water.⁸¹⁰

To gather this data, meteorologists utilize several methods:

• Satellite Imagery: Geostationary satellites provide continuous infrared and visible light data. By observing specific cloud patterns, meteorologists can estimate a storm’s intensity and wind speed.¹¹
• Aircraft Reconnaissance: For the most accurate data, aircraft fly directly into storms to deploy instruments called dropsondes. These devices measure atmospheric pressure, temperature, humidity, and wind speed as they descend through the storm.¹¹
• Classification Systems: While numerical ranking scales like the Saffir-Simpson hurricane scale are officially used in the Atlantic and eastern Pacific, the intensity of typhoons in the western North Pacific is often categorized by specific regional bureaus, such as the Hong Kong Observatory or the Japanese Meteorological Agency, which use varying wind-speed thresholds to define super typhoons.⁸¹⁰¹²

What is a storm surge and why is it so dangerous?

A storm surge is an abnormal rise in sea level that occurs when high-velocity winds from a tropical cyclone or tropical storm push water toward the shore. While changes in atmospheric pressure contribute slightly to this effect, the primary cause is the friction between the storm’s intense winds and the ocean surface, which piles water up in the direction the wind is blowing.¹⁴¹⁵¹⁶

Why It Is So Dangerous

Storm surges are often the deadliest phenomenon associated with tropical cyclones, responsible for the majority of deaths during landfalls. Their danger stems from several factors:¹⁴¹⁷

• Inundation: Surges can raise water levels by several meters, pushing water far inland and causing catastrophic flooding that overwhelms coastal communities.¹⁴¹⁷
• Structural Destruction: The force of the water is powerful enough to push buildings off their foundations, destroy infrastructure, and scatter debris, which can cause further injury or damage.¹⁷
• Exacerbation: Surges often occur alongside heavy rainfall, compounding the flooding and making evacuation or rescue efforts significantly more difficult.¹⁵¹⁷
• Environmental Vulnerability: The loss of natural buffers, such as wetlands and mangroves, can allow water to advance more rapidly and penetrate deeper inland.¹⁷