Hurricane Olivia (1975)
Meteorological history | |
---|---|
Formed | October 22, 1975 |
Dissipated | October 25, 1975 |
Category 3 major hurricane | |
1-minute sustained (SSHWS/NWS) | |
Highest winds | 115 mph (185 km/h) |
Overall effects | |
Fatalities | 30 direct |
Damage | $20 million (1975 USD) |
Areas affected | Mexico |
IBTrACS | |
Part of the 1975 Pacific hurricane season |
Hurricane Olivia was considered the worst hurricane to hit
Meteorological history
The origins of Olivia were from an extended area of
After reaching hurricane status, Olivia accelerated to the north-northeast. Several ships crossed its path, encountering strong winds and rough waves. On October 24, a
Preparations and Impact
Prior to Olivia making landfall, the Mexican military evacuated about 50,000 people from low-lying areas.[3] Accurate forecasts from satellite and ship data were credited with preventing a significant death toll,[1] although the population did not know of the storm's approach until a day before landfall. Officials advised ships to return to port for safety, and the threat of the storm canceled a baseball game.[4] As Olivia moved ashore, it produced locally heavy rainfall, peaking at 7.28 in (185 mm) in Pueblo Nuevo, Durango. The heaviest rains occurred in a narrow region where the hurricane made landfall, although precipitation of around 1 in (25 mm) reached as far south as Michoacán, 340 mi (550 km) south of the landfall location.[5] Winds in Mazatlán reached 138 mph (222 km/h).[6]
The combination of strong winds and heavy rainfall destroyed about 7,000 homes in Mazatlán and 14 nearby villages,[1] with 10,000 houses damaged to some degree.[7] Many of the destroyed homes were poorly built, and the hurricane's passage left 30,000 people homeless; the storm victims were housed in schools, churches, and other buildings not damaged during the storm.[6] Most buildings in the city were affected, with storm debris covering streets.[4] Across the region, the hurricane cut power and water services, and also disrupted the transportation infrastructure by damaging highways and railroads.[3] The airport was also heavily damaged, with flights suspended into the city. Most windows at the airport were blown-out, and 14 small planes were overturned. The strong winds also downed trees, while heavy rainfall resulted in flooding.[8]
Olivia was considered the worst storm in Mazatlán since a hurricane in 1943,[9] and following the storm, the city was declared a disaster zone.[7] Near the coastline and in tourist areas, damage reached $4 million (1975 USD, $22.6 million 2024 USD).[1] Across its path, Olivia killed 30 people and left 500 injured,[1] 17 of them severe.[8] Offshore, 20 of the deaths occurred when three shrimp boats were wrecked.[1] The winds damaged a wall at a prison, killing two prisoners and allowing others to escape.[3] Overall damage totaled $20 million (1975 USD, $113 million 2024 USD).[1]
Olivia is one of only three major hurricanes on record to strike Mazatlán, the others being the 1943 hurricane, as well as another in
See also
- Other tropical cyclones of the same name
References
- ^ . Retrieved 2008-10-28.
- ^ a b National Hurricane Center; Hurricane Research Division; Central Pacific Hurricane Center (April 4, 2023). "The Northeast and North Central Pacific hurricane database 1949–2022". United States National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's National Weather Service. A guide on how to read the database is available here. This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
- ^ a b c Staff Writer. "Hurricane Leaves Two Dead". The Victoria Advocate. Associated Press. Retrieved 2011-02-11.
- ^ a b c Enrique Vega Ayala (2009-10-20). ""Olivia": Cuatro horas de miedo" (in Spanish). Noroeste. Retrieved 2011-02-11.
- ^ David M. Roth (2009-07-23). "Hurricane Olivia - October 21-26, 1975". Hydrometeorological Prediction Center. Retrieved 2011-02-11.
- ^ a b Staff Writer (1975-10-26). "30000 Homeless, 25 dead in Hurricane". Tri City Herald. Associated Press. Retrieved 2011-02-11.
- ^ a b Staff Writer (1975-10-27). "Hurricane kills 27". The Deseret News. United Press International. Retrieved 2011-02-11.
- ^ a b c John Schmidt (1975-10-28). "Farmers View Wreckage". The Calgary Herald. Retrieved 2011-02-11.
- ^ Staff Writer (1975-10-28). "Storm Damage Cleanup Begins". Bangor Daily News. Retrieved 2011-02-11.
- ^ R. G. Handlers and S. Brand (June 2001). "Tropical Cyclones Affecting Mazatlan". NRL Monterrey. Archived from the original on 2011-06-11. Retrieved 2009-06-07.