Meteorological history | |
---|---|
Formed | September 1, 1980 |
Dissipated | September 16, 1980 |
Typhoon | |
10-minute sustained (JMA) | |
Highest winds | 130 km/h (80 mph) |
Lowest pressure | 960 hPa (mbar); 28.35 inHg |
Category 2-equivalent typhoon | |
1-minute sustained (SSHWS/JTWC) | |
Highest winds | 155 km/h (100 mph) |
Overall effects | |
Fatalities | 53 total |
Areas affected | Caroline Islands, Philippines, Japan |
IBTrACS | |
Part of the 1980 Pacific typhoon season |
Typhoon Orchid, known in the Philippines as Typhoon Toyang, was a deadly typhoon that formed during the 1980 Pacific typhoon season. The monsoon trough spawned a tropical depression on September 1. It tracked northwestward, remaining disorganized and dissipating on the 5th. Another tropical depression developed to the east of the old circulation, quickly becoming the primary circulation and intensifying to a tropical storm on the 6th. With generally weak steering currents, Orchid looped three times on its track, strengthening to a typhoon on the 9th and reaching a peak of 95 mph winds on the 10th. Early on the 11th the storm hit southwestern Japan, and became extratropical that day over the Japan Sea.
Orchid caused considerable damage from high winds and rain, resulting in at least nine casualties with 112 missing. It was also responsible for the loss of MV Derbyshire, believed to have sunk on 9 September with all 44 hands on board due to very rough seas. At 91,655 gross register tons, she is the largest British ship lost at sea.[1]