Typhoon Ruth (1991)

Typhoon Ruth (Trining)

Typhoon Ruth near peak intensity on November 26
Meteorological history
Formed	October 19, 1991
Extratropical	October 31, 1991
Dissipated	November 3, 1991
Violent typhoon
10-minute sustained (JMA)
Highest winds	215 km/h (130 mph)
Lowest pressure	895 hPa (mbar); 26.43 inHg
Category 5-equivalent super typhoon
1-minute sustained (SSHWS/JTWC)
Highest winds	270 km/h (165 mph)
Lowest pressure	892 hPa (mbar); 26.34 inHg
Overall effects
Fatalities	82
Missing	22
Damage	$151 million (1991 USD)
Areas affected	Philippines, Taiwan
Part of the 1991 Pacific typhoon season

Typhoon Ruth, also known as Typhoon Trining,^[1] was an intense, destructive, and deadly typhoon which impacted the Philippines during October 1991. The thirty-first depression, twenty-second tropical storm, fifteenth typhoon, third super typhoon, and first violent typhoon of the 1991 Pacific typhoon season, Ruth developed from a tropical disturbance between Chuuk and Pohnpei. Developing into a depression on October 19, Ruth steadily intensified. However, as it tracked west-northwestward across the Philippine Sea, it undergone rapid intensification, becoming a super typhoon intensity just a few days later. However, soon after, Ruth began weakening as it neared Northern Luzon. Tracking northwestward then west-southwestward due to the interaction between a mid-tropospheric trough and the subtropical ridge, Ruth made landfall in northern Luzon with winds of 100 mph (155 km/h) before weakening into a tropical storm over land. Ruth later recurved south of Taiwan, later dissipating on October 31.

Impacting Philippines during October 1991, Ruth prompted the evacuation of 13,600 residents living near Mount Pinatubo due to fears of mudslides, while authorities issued Public Storm Warning Signals, including the first instance of PSWS #4. 82 fatalities and 55 injuries were attributed to the typhoon, with another 22 individuals being missing. Major cities like Baguio experienced heavy damage, with fatalities occurring due to falling trees and mudslides. The capital, Manila, suffered extensive power outages which affected over 6 million residents, while heavy rainfall led to catastrophic flooding and landslides, notably on Kennon Road. Overall, Typhoon Ruth inflicted approximately USD$150.7 million in damages. The typhoon's remnants later contributed to adverse weather conditions in the Ryukyu Islands. Elsewhere, offshore Taiwan, a cargo ship sank, causing the loss of 18 crew members. In response to the disaster, President Corazon Aquino declared a state of calamity in affected regions and initiated relief efforts.