Typhoon Nora (1973)

Typhoon Nora (Luming)
Typhoon Nora nearing peak intensity on October 5
Meteorological history
FormedOctober 2, 1973
Remnant lowOctober 10, 1973
DissipatedOctober 11, 1973
Category 5-equivalent super typhoon
1-minute sustained (SSHWS/JTWC)
Highest winds295 km/h (185 mph)
Lowest pressure875 hPa (mbar); 25.84 inHg
(Third-lowest globally; tied as second-lowest in the West Pacific)
Overall effects
Fatalities40 total
Missing28
Damage$2 million (1973 USD)
Areas affectedPhilippines, Taiwan, Eastern China, Hong Kong
IBTrACSEdit this at Wikidata

Part of the 1973 Pacific typhoon season

Typhoon Nora, known in the Philippines as Typhoon Luming, was tied for the fourth-most intense tropical cyclone on record. Originating from an area of low pressure over the western Pacific, Nora was first identified as a tropical depression on October 2, 1973. Tracking generally westward, the system gradually intensified, attaining typhoon status the following evening. After turning northwestward, the typhoon underwent a period of rapid intensification, during which its central pressure decreased by 77 mb (hPa; 2.27 inHg) in 24 hours. At the end of this phase, Nora peaked with winds of 295 km/h (185 mph) and a pressure of 875 mb (hPa; 25.91 inHg), making it the most-intense tropical cyclone on record (alongside Typhoon Ida in 1958) at the time; however, this pressure has since been surpassed by Typhoon June, Typhoon Tip and Hurricane Patricia. The typhoon subsequently weakened and turned northwestward as it approached the Philippines. After brushing Luzon on October 7, the system passed south of Taiwan and ultimately made landfall in China on October 10. Once onshore, Nora quickly weakened and dissipated the following day.

The Philippines and Taiwan sustained the most extensive losses from Typhoon Nora, with 36 people losing their lives collectively. In the former, more than 1 million residents were left homeless as high winds and flooding wrecked homes. Damage in the country reached $2 million (1973 USD). In Taiwan, more than 1,000 homes were destroyed and 8,000 people were left homeless. The typhoon was also responsible for several maritime incidents that killed at least four people.