Typhoon Charlotte (1959)

Typhoon Charlotte

Surface analysis of Typhoon Charlotte on October 14
Meteorological history
Formed	October 9, 1959 (1959-10-09)
Extratropical	October 19, 1959 (1959-10-19)
Dissipated	October 20, 1959 (1959-10-20)
Unknown-strength storm
10-minute sustained (JMA)
Lowest pressure	905 hPa (mbar); 26.72 inHg
Category 5-equivalent super typhoon
1-minute sustained (SSHWS/JTWC)
Highest winds	270 km/h (165 mph)
Overall effects
Fatalities	46 confirmed
Damage	$300,000 (1959 USD)
Areas affected	Philippines • Japan (Okinawa) • Taiwan • Hawaii
IBTrACS
Part of the 1959 Pacific typhoon season

Typhoon Charlotte was a damaging typhoon that struck Okinawa during the 1959 Pacific typhoon season. An area of low pressure developed in early October, and it became a tropical depression on October 9. The depression strengthened to a tropical storm one day later, and it received the name Charlotte from the Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC). The system strengthened quickly and became a typhoon eighteen hours later. Charlotte continued to rapidly strengthen to its peak of 260 km/h (160 mph) on October 13. The typhoon began to weaken afterwards, and it traveled south of Okinawa on October 16. The typhoon weakened to a tropical storm on October 19 as it began its extratropical transition. The storm became extratropical later that day, and the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) ceased tracking the system on October 20.

During October 16 and 17, Charlotte caused heavy damage to the Okinawa Islands. Large amounts of rainfall caused landslides across the islands and many rice and sugar cane crops were destroyed by floods. Multiple public buildings and 800 homes were damaged or destroyed, leaving over 1,000 people homeless. Damage done to military bases on the island amounted to $300,000 (equivalent to $3,135,616 in 2023). 46 people died during the storm in the islands. Minor damage was also reported in Philippines, Taiwan, and Japan, mostly due to flooding and strong winds.