Typhoon Ruth (1951)

Ruth impacted Japan between October 13–15, killing 572 people and injuring another 2,644; 371 people were left unaccounted for.^[5] Many of these deaths arose from river flooding triggered by Ruth.^[6] The storm damaged 221,118 homes and 9,596 ships, as well as some 3.5 million bushels of rice.^[5] Due to Ruth's large size, much of the country was affected by the typhoon's winds and rains. A peak wind gust of 195 km/h (121 mph) and a rainfall total of 639.3 mm (25.17 in) was recorded at Kamiyaku, Kagoshima; both of these values were the highest recorded in Japan from Ruth.^[6] Yamaguchi Prefecture was most severely impacted by the typhoon.^[5][7] Coastal areas were inundated and communications were disrupted.^[8] Winds reaching 150 km/h (95 mph) and waves 13.5 m (44 ft) high struck Sasebo, Nagasaki, sinking ships and damaging others in the harbor; among them were warships deployed for the Korean War.^[9] American military installations throughout Japan incurred over US$1 million in damage.^[10] Overall property damage in Japan was estimated at US$25 million, affecting an estimated 123,773 people;^[11] total damage to property, crops, and forests reached US$55 million.^[12]

• 1951 Pacific typhoon season