 Typhoon Caitlin early on July 28 | |
| Meteorological history | |
|---|---|
| Formed | July 21, 1991 |
| Dissipated | July 30, 1991 |
| Typhoon | |
| 10-minute sustained (JMA) | |
| Highest winds | 150 km/h (90 mph) |
| Lowest pressure | 940 hPa (mbar); 27.76 inHg |
| Category 2-equivalent typhoon | |
| 1-minute sustained (SSHWS/JTWC) | |
| Highest winds | 175 km/h (110 mph) |
| Overall effects | |
| Fatalities | 26 total |
| Damage | $81.3 million (1991 USD) |
| Areas affected | Philippines, Japan, South Korea |
| IBTrACS | |
Part of the 1991 Pacific typhoon season | |
Typhoon Caitlin, known in the Philippines as Typhoon Ising, contributed to major drought relief in Okinawa. A tropical disturbance formed in the middle of July 1991 in the eastern portion of the Western Pacific monsoon trough, and while tracking to the west-northwest, was designated a tropical depression on July 21. Thunderstorm activity associated with the depression increased markedly on July 22, and two days later, the depression was upgraded into Tropical Storm Caitlin. The storm turned northward as it rounded a subtropical ridge while gradually intensifying. Caitlin became a typhoon on July 25 and peaked in intensity on July 27 near Okinawa. The typhoon began to weaken as it turned northeast over the Korea Strait. On July 30, Catlin transitioned into an extratropical cyclone as it entered the Sea of Japan.
Across the Philippines, heavy rains triggered mudslides that claimed 16 lives and forced over 20,000 others to be evacuated. Due to the storm, reservoir levels in Okinawa on the island rose from only 35% to over 80% of its capacity and crop damage amounted to $7.4 million USD. On Kagoshima Prefecture, 72 homes were damaged and five million people were left without power. Twenty-three people suffered injuries in Nagasaki Prefecture while 116 ships were damaged offshore. On the Goto Islands, 32 people were rendered homeless. Throughout Japan, six fatalities were reported and thirty-nine others sustained injuries. A total of 64 houses were destroyed while 1,472 others were flooded. Moreover, 120 ships and 263 ha (650 acres) of farmland were destroyed. Damages totaled ¥10.1 billion ($75 million USD). In South Korea, two people were killed and another two were listed as missing. Heavy rains caused flooding across residential areas and destroyed farmland. Around 30 ships were destroyed or damaged. Damage throughout the country was estimated at $6.3 million USD.