Typhoon Forrest

Typhoon Forrest (Ising)
Typhoon Forrest at peak intensity on September 23
Meteorological history
FormedSeptember 19, 1983 (1983-09-19)
ExtratropicalSeptember 28, 1983 (1983-09-28)
DissipatedOctober 4, 1983 (1983-10-04)
Violent typhoon
10-minute sustained (JMA)
Highest winds205 km/h (125 mph)
Lowest pressure885 hPa (mbar); 26.13 inHg
Category 5-equivalent super typhoon
1-minute sustained (SSHWS/JTWC)
Highest winds280 km/h (175 mph)
Lowest pressure876 hPa (mbar); 25.87 inHg
(Fifth-lowest worldwide)
Overall effects
Fatalities21
Missing17
Damage$339 million (1983 USD)
Areas affected
IBTrACS

Part of the 1983 Pacific typhoon season

Typhoon Forrest, known as Typhoon Ising by PAGASA, was the fifth-most intense tropical cyclone on record and the fastest-deepening tropical cyclone worldwide. Its minimum barometric pressure dropped 100 mbar (3.0 inHg) from September 22 to September 23, in less than a day. Forrest formed from a tropical disturbance far from land in the western Pacific Ocean. On September 20, the system was classified as a tropical storm, and thereafter began to intensify. The next day, Forrest reached typhoon status, and the intensification process accelerated. The storm prudently strengthened on September 22, and the following morning, attained peak intensity following a pressure drop of 100 mbar (3.0 inHg) in slightly less than 24 hours. Thereafter, Forrest began to weaken slowly as it moved northwest. Approaching Japan, Super Typhoon Forrest first hit Okinawa on September 27. Nearby, a tornado hit Inza Island, destroying 26 homes and injuring 26 people. Forrest then moved north, striking the Japanese archipelago before transitioning into an extratropical cyclone on September 28, before eventually dissipating on October 4 out at sea.

The torrential rainfall caused by the typhoon triggered deadly landslides and flooding across Japan. In all, the typhoon killed at least 21 people, left 17 listed as missing, and injured 86. Forrest flooded 46,000 homes in muddy water, over 100 dwellings were destroyed, and 2,560 people were rendered as homeless. Seven flights were called off and 27,000 people were stranded. In addition, 67 bridges and 818 roads were damaged. Total damages were estimated to be at US$339 million.