September 1929 Philippines typhoon
The September 1929 Philippines typhoon was a destructive tropical cyclone that killed over 200 individuals in the Philippine Islands during the 1929 Pacific typhoon season. It was first noted on August 31 to the east of Manila while moving to the west. It then became a typhoon while turning to the west-northwest, hitting the Bicol Region while recording a minimum barometric pressure of 954.62 hPa early the next day on Polillo, Quezon. After crossing the archipelago, it turned to the northwest before dissipating through the weather maps on September 6. The damages caused by the typhoon were described as intensive. Strong winds and flash floods were seen in Infanta and Polillo, both in Tayabas (present-day Quezon Province), respectively. A dam also overflowed in the area, causing catastrophic damage. The fury of the storm was also experienced in the other parts of Luzon. The water supply in Manila was affected, causing a major crisis. The typhoon also set a record for the ninth wettest tropical cyclone in the Philippines, which is recorded in Virac, Catanduanes. The numerical damages were estimated at $800,000, 1929 USD with 120 deaths and 210 missing. Meteorological history While the storm's intensity was uncertain, the typhoon was first noted on August 31 as a persistent low on weather maps, roughly 350 miles to the east of Manila, Philippine Islands. On the next day, it dramatically strengthened to a typhoon as it started to move slowly to the west. Over the next hours, the circulation of the system increased, as being evidenced by weather maps. Early on September 2, it slightly turned west-northwestward due to another system brewing in its east. At the same time, an aneroid barometer located in Polillo, Tayabas recorded a minimum barometric pressure of while in a calm condition (possibly in the typhoon's eye). At 22:00 UTC that day (6:00 am PHT), the typhoon passed near the northern coasts of Camarines Norte and Infanta, Tayabas before heading out to the South China Sea. The storm passed through the Paracel Islands before turning to the northwest. It then slowed down again before turning westward, before disappearing on weather maps by September 6 as it entered the Gulf of Tonkin. Impact Very destructive damage was seen and reported in Luzon following the typhoon's approach and pass during September 2 and 3. Gusty winds and flash floods were experienced by inhabitants throughout Infanta and Polillo, all in Tayabas, respectively. In addition, a dam burst in Bulacan due to heavy rainfall, causing an unknown number of deaths and widespread damage. Many villages in the path of the typhoon were either washed out or destroyed by storm surges and floods. In other parts of Luzon, the fury of the typhoon wasn't large but still experienced, being described as "very extraordinary" by some authorities. The Philippines' Chapter of American Red Cross also reported that many families were without food due to the storm. Adding on, the water supply in the capital Manila was heavily affected, causing a wide crisis. Some