Typhoon Bess (1982)

Typhoon Bess

Bess at its peak intensity on July 29
Meteorological history
Formed	July 21, 1982
Extratropical	August 3, 1982
Dissipated	August 9, 1982
Violent typhoon
10-minute sustained (JMA)
Highest winds	230 km/h (145 mph)
Lowest pressure	900 hPa (mbar); 26.58 inHg
Category 5-equivalent super typhoon
1-minute sustained (SSHWS/JTWC)
Highest winds	260 km/h (160 mph)
Lowest pressure	901 hPa (mbar); 26.61 inHg
Overall effects
Fatalities	95 total
Damage	$2.38 billion (1982 USD)
Areas affected	Japan
IBTrACS
Part of the 1982 Pacific typhoon season

Typhoon Bess, was a powerful, deadly, and destructive tropical cyclone, which was the deadliest typhoon to hit Japan since Tip in 1979. The eleventh tropical storm, sixth typhoon, and first super typhoon of the 1982 Pacific typhoon season, the system first developed on July 21. Two days later, it was upgraded into a tropical storm, and subsequently began to intensify while tracking northwest. Bess attained typhoon intensity on July 24, before it briefly turned southwest. After turning north-northwest, the typhoon entered a period of rapid intensification and late on July 28 reached peak winds of 230 km/h (145 mph). After turning north, Bess began to weaken as it encountered less favorable conditions. On August 1, Bess was downgraded into a tropical storm. Shortly after that, the storm struck southeastern Japan, and on August 2 merged with a low pressure area atop of the Sea of Japan.

Typhoon Bess cut through a 400 km (250 mi) swath that included the most populated portion of Japan. Bess caused ¥591.6 billion (US$2.38 billion) in damage and 95 casualties. Furthermore, 119 others were hurt. Four people were killed due to landslides, while two other individuals were buried alive. A series of landslides stranded about 2,000 people, including 1,500 children. In all, 43 dwellings were destroyed and 17,000 homes were flooded. A total of 59 roads were impassable, 42 bridges were destroyed and 785 landslides occurred. Fifteen railway lines were disrupted due to torrential rainfall. In addition, 2,857 acres of farmland were flooded, 101 bridges were washed out and roads were damaged at more than 1,000 locations. Two boats sunk. Roughly 25,000 people were displaced. Following the storm, 2,100 policeman and firefighters dug through debris to rescue people. Following the season, the name Bess was retired from the list of names.