Typhoon Agnes (1984)

Typhoon Agnes (Undang)
Agnes at peak intensity early on November 4
Meteorological history
FormedOctober 30, 1984
DissipatedNovember 9, 1984
Violent typhoon
10-minute sustained (JMA)
Highest winds195 km/h (120 mph)
Lowest pressure925 hPa (mbar); 27.32 inHg
Category 4-equivalent typhoon
1-minute sustained (SSHWS/JTWC)
Highest winds220 km/h (140 mph)
Overall effects
Fatalities1,029 total
Missing273
Damage$90.7 million (1984 USD)
Areas affected
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Part of the 1984 Pacific typhoon season

Typhoon Agnes, known in the Philippines as Typhoon Undang, was the fourth final tropical cyclone to affect the Philippines during the 1984 Pacific typhoon season. An area of disturbed weather developed near the equator and the Caroline Islands on October 28. Following an increase in organization, the cyclone was designated a tropical storm on October 31. After tracking northwest initially, Agnes turned west-northwest the next day, a course that the system would maintain for the rest of its lifetime. Agnes intensified into a typhoon on November 2, and on November 4, attained peak intensity. The storm then made landfall on Samar Island, part of the Philippines, at that intensity. The storm weakened over land, but re-intensified over the South China Sea; Agnes obtained a secondary peak intensity on November 6. The next day, Typhoon Agnes moved ashore Vietnam while still at typhoon intensity. The storm rapidly deteriorated over land and dissipated by November 8 over Thailand.

Typhoon Agnes was the final of a series of tropical cyclones to affect the Philippines that season, following June, Ike, and Warren. Agnes brought widespread damage to several provinces across the central section of the archipelago. In the Iloilo province, 230 people were killed and four others were injured. Provincewide, a total of 21 homes were flattened, resulting in 1,326 homeless people. Damage in the province amounted to at least $5 million. Approximately 20% of the rice crop was destroyed in Iloilo. In the Capiz province, 265 people died and property damage amounted $25 million (1984 USD). Around 80% of houses in Roxas, located in Capiz, were damaged and 100 people were killed. Throughout Panay Island, four hundred forty-eight fatalities were reported, at least eight people were injured, five bridges were destroyed, and thirty-five schools were demolished. A total of 4,014 homes were destroyed; consequently, over 24,000 people lost their homes. Across the Philippines, 895 people died due to Agnes, with 272 people listed missing and 2,526 others wounded. A total of 491,968 people were evacuated to shelter in 27 provinces. More than 200,000 homes were destroyed while 163,056 other dwellings were damaged. Damage in the country totaled $90.7 million, with $19.1 million from crops and $56.9 million from public infrastructure.

In Vietnam, the typhoon severely affected the rice harvest and winter crop cultivation. The Bình Định Province suffered the brunt of the typhoon, where 134 people died and 289 sustained injuries. There, 400 schools and 230 nurseries were flattened. Throughout the country, the storm destroyed 271,000 hectares (670,000 acres) of farmland.