The direct passage of typhoon Ruth over island again brought severe damage .
The population which peaked in 1950 at 13,578 persons , started to rapidly decline , with over half of inhabitants of island departing within 20 years .
The direct passage of typhoon Ruth over island again brought severe damage , and the population which peaked in 1950 at 13,578 persons , started to rapidly decline , with over half of inhabitants of island departing within 20 years .