Typhoon Nora (1973)

Typhoon Nora (Luming)

Category 5 (Saffir–Simpson scale)
Typhoon Nora nearing peak intensity on October 5
Formed	October 2, 1973
Dissipated	October 11, 1973
(Remnant low after October 10, 1973)
Highest winds	1-minute sustained: 295 km/h (185 mph)
Lowest pressure	877 hPa (mbar); 25.9 inHg (May have been lower)
Fatalities	40 total, 28 missing
Damage	At least $2 million (1973 USD)
Areas affected	Philippines, Taiwan, Eastern China, Hong Kong
Part of the 1973 Pacific typhoon season

Typhoon Nora, known in the Philippines as Typhoon Luming, was 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 877 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 two other typhoons and one hurricane. 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.