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Page:1959 Annual Typhoon Report.djvu/196

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mates of the damage placed it conservatively at $2.5 million.

On 31 December, HARRIET passed directly over the island of Catanduanes causing severe damage. The following is a vivid description of the passage of the typhoon's eye over the Coast Guard Loran Station located on the island. All wind speeds in the following account are estimated:

"(a) 301630Z: (NE, 75 kts, 993 mb) Heavy driving rains came in squalls. The barometer was falling rapidly. Coconuts and palm leaves were blowing loose and littering the station.

(b) 301800Z: (NE, 90 to 100 kts, 992 mb) Continuous driving rain and winds. Station personnel took refuge in signal-power building. Tar paper commenced tearing off of the signal-power building roof. Water seeping through roof and walls of the building, flooding the cable trenches and floors.

(c) 301900Z: (NNE, 100 to 115 kts, 985 mb) Continuous heavy rain and winds, increasing in intensity. Barometer dropping rapidly.

(d) 302000Z: (NNE, 150 to 160 kts, 974 mb) Continuous heavy rain and increasing winds. Barometer dropping rapidly. Signal-power building leaking at this time.

(e) 302100Z: (NNE, 150 to 160 kts, 974 mb) Continuous heavy rain and increasing winds. Barometer dropping rapidly. Signal-power building leaking at this time.

(f) 302125Z: (NE, 160 kts, 967 mb) Secured all electrical power to station. The heavy gusting winds caused pressure waves throughout the interior of the building. The ceiling was lifting and falling and was coming off throughout the building.

(g) 302145Z: (NE, 160 plus kts, 949 mb) This was the last read-

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