Meteorological history | |
---|---|
Formed | September 27,1983 |
Dissipated | October 2,1983 |
Tropical storm | |
1-minute sustained (SSHWS/NWS) | |
Highest winds | 50 mph (85 km/h) |
Overall effects | |
Fatalities | 14 |
Injuries | 975 |
Damage | $513 million |
Areas affected | Arizona,New Mexico,Mexico |
IBTrACS | |
Part of the 1983 Pacific hurricane season |
Tropical Storm Octave was considered the worst tropical cyclone in the history of Arizona. The nineteenth tropical cyclone and fifteenth named storm of the 1983 Pacific hurricane season,the origins of Tropical Storm Octave were from a tropical disturbance that formed south of the Gulf of Tehuantepec on September 23,1983. Steered by a deep layer high over Mexico,the disturbance moved west for four days before becoming a tropical depression on September 27 off the southwest coast of Mexico. Over an area of warm sea surface temperatures,it was able to quickly strengthen to peak winds of 50 mph (85 km/h),through wind shear prevented much further development. By September 30,Octave was accelerating to the northeast,steadily weakening due to cooler waters. That day it weakened to tropical depression status,and on October 2,Octave dissipated.
In Arizona,the highest rainfall total was 12.0 in (300 mm) at Mount Graham. In Tucson,flood waters were reportedly 8 ft (2.4 m) high. Throughout the state,excessive rainfall caused many rivers to overflow. After the rain ended,the Santa Cruz,Rillito,and Gila rivers experienced their highest crests on record. Five towns – Clifton,Duncan,Winkelman,Hayden,and Marana – were almost completely flooded. In Marana,many homes were submerged,forcing residents to be evacuated. Over 700 homes were destroyed in Clifton. In addition,86 of the town's 126 business were heavily damaged due to the flooding. Around 3,000 buildings were destroyed due to Octave. A total of 853 houses,mobile homes,and apartments were destroyed while 2,052 others were damaged. About 10,000 people were temporarily left homeless. Damage in Arizona totaled $500 million (1983 USD),which was above the preliminary estimate of $300 million. Fourteen people drowned and 975 persons were injured. Elsewhere,Octave was responsible for $12.5 million in damage in New Mexico. Following the storm,governor Bruce Babbitt declared a state of emergency. President Ronald Reagan declared Cochise,Gila,Graham,Greenlee,Pima,Pinal,Santa Cruz and Yavapai counties a "major disaster area".
Well before the start of the rainfall,much of Arizona had been affected by a wet winter and subsequent monsoon season leaving the grounds saturated and susceptible to flooding. [1] Moreover,the months of August and September had been very wet months for most of the Southwestern United States. In fact,it had rained almost every other day at many weather stations in Arizona. [2] The remnants of a Pacific hurricane brought rain to much of California and part of Arizona. Then,on September 22,the North American Monsoon became active over the region. [3] This was atypical for late September;by this time,in a normal year the climate is dry. However,in late September 1983,surface weather maps exhibited a few unusual features. A thermal low lay over the mouth of the Gulf of California while the tail end of a weak cold front was located atop of the Great Basin. [2] On September 28,moisture from the storm began spreading across Mexico and the southwest United States,due to a stalled low pressure area off the coast of California drawing the thunderstorms northeastward. [1] Tropical Storm Octave played a vital role in the disaster by supplying warm,moisture to the region,which collided with cooler air from the subtropics. [2] By October 2,the heaviest rainfall had ended. [1]
A tropical disturbance formed south of the Gulf of Tehuantepec on September 23. Steered by a deep layer high over Mexico, the disturbance moved west for four days before attaining tropical depression status. Upon becoming a tropical cyclone the depression was situated over warm waters; however, wind shear subsequently increased in the vicinity of the storm. Therefore, significant development was impeded as the depression curved back to the north along an adjacent upper-level low. [4]
As conditions aloft turned favorable by September 28, the depression strengthened into Tropical Storm Octave at 1800 UTC that day. Within six hours, Octave attained its peak intensity of 50 mph (80 km/h) and decreased in forward speed while turning to the northeast. On September 30, Octave began to accelerate towards the northeast as it began to weaken due to cooler waters and increasing vertical wind shear. Consequently, the winds gradually decreased to 35 mph (55 km/h) and the storm was downgraded back to tropical depression status during the afternoon. [5] At 1200 UTC on October 2, the EPHC issued their last advisory on the storm as the surface circulation had dissipated. [4]
Due to the threat for flooding, local flood warnings were issued for much of Arizona. [6] Starting at 0100 UTC on September 30 and lasting until 0600 UTC on October 6, the Tucson National Weather Service office issued 20 warnings and statements including 13 radar-generated updates. In the same time period, the Phoenix National Weather Service office issued 28 warnings, watches, and statements, nine of which were flood warnings generated by the Joint Federal-State Flood Warning Office. Although several flood warnings from the Phoenix National Weather Service Office were requested to be broadcast via the Emergency Broadcast System (EBS), which is a national program that provides public warning for such disasters, no warnings were implemented. The reason was that time there was no formal EBS program active in the Tucson area, and there was only one program request to fill this gap, but that request was denied. The Pima County Emergency Services Director stated that "we just didn't see the need for activating the EBS system." Despite the lack of EBS broadcasts, NOAA Weather Radio claims it did the best it could to provide updated information on Octave. [2]
Rank | Cyclone | Season | Damage | Ref |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Otis | 2023 | $12–16 billion | [7] |
2 | Manuel | 2013 | $4.2 billion | [8] |
3 | Iniki | 1992 | $3.1 billion | [9] |
4 | Odile | 2014 | $1.25 billion | [10] |
5 | Agatha | 2010 | $1.1 billion | [11] |
6 | John | 2024 | $1 billion | [12] |
7 | Hilary | 2023 | $915 million | [13] |
8 | Willa | 2018 | $825 million | [14] |
9 | Madeline | 1998 | $750 million | [15] |
10 | Rosa | 1994 | $700 million | [16] |
The rainfall event lasted for one week, from September 28 to October 4. [1] [17]
Already inundated by previous rains, additional rainfall moved over the area; much of the state of Arizona was deluged with 6 in (150 mm) of precipitation in a mere two days. [18] Early on September 28, moisture related to Octave began to fall in northern Santa Cruz County, eastern Pima County, and in portions of Tucson. [2] In the end, the highest rainfall associated with the event was 12.0 in (300 mm) at Mount Graham. [17] Elsewhere, Nogales recorded 9.83 in (250 mm); portions of Tucson received over 8 in (200 mm), and Mount Lemmon experienced 10.45 in (265 mm). [1] [19] In addition to the rain, winds of 32 mph (51 km/h) were measured. [20]
In Tucson, flood waters reportedly reached 8 ft (2.4 m), stranding hundreds of people on rooftops. [21] Throughout the state, excessive rainfall caused many rivers to overflow. Water was released from the Coolidge Dam, which forced 75 residents to evacuate, [22] [23] marking the third time in 50 years that water was released from the dam. [24] After a third bout of heavy rain on October 2, the Santa Cruz, Rillito, and Gila rivers experienced their highest crests on record. [1] A flow rate of 25,000 cu ft (707,921,165 cc) per second was measured in the Rillito river; [18] the Santa Cruz river peaked at a flow rate of 1,490 m3 (52,620 cu ft), [2] which was short of the record set during Hurricane Heather during the 1977 Pacific hurricane season. [25] All other rivers that pass through Tucson did not attain record levels and were significantly lower than past flood episodes. [2]
As Tropical Storm Octave deluged the state, the Rillito River slowly eroded its banks, and by October 2, the river had widened 100 ft (30 m), destroying a parking lot and an office building. Runoff from both the Rillito and Santa Cruz rivers eventually piled up in a delta, flooding Marana. [2] In Marana, many homes were submerged, forcing residents to be evacuated. Only two town residents had flood insurance because officials "didn't believe a flood could occur there." Additionally, communities along the Santa Cruz River were flooded, forcing 4,000 residents to evacuate their homes, many of whom lost key property possessions. The metropolitan area of Tucson was completely flooded due to the storm. [18]
Tropical Storm Octave also caused major flooding along the Gila River, [2] which reached its highest discharge rates since 1906. [25] and two of its tributaries, the San Francisco River and the San Pedro River. These rains devastated Clifton along the San Francisco River valley. [2] Most of Clifton's 4,200 residents had to be evacuated due to flooding, where over 700 homes were destroyed. In addition, 86 of the town's 126 businesses were heavily damaged due to the floods. [18] The Gila River near Clifton sustained its largest discharge rates since Clifton was founded. [2] Along the Southern Francisco River, a peak discharge rate of 56,000 cu ft (1.6×109 cc) was reported by meteorologists, which is 1.8 times greater than the previous record set by Hurricane Joanne during the 1972 Pacific hurricane season. [25]
Further south along the Gila River, major flooding was reported in extreme southeastern Arizona, where Octave was described as the worst flood in the area's history since 1916. [25] In Willcox, a farming community 80 mi (130 km) east of Tucson, residents armed with shovels and sandbags fought rising floodwaters after the Hooker Dam, an earthen dam 35 mi (55 km) north of Willcox, burst, preventing further destruction. The cities of Nogales and Tubac, near the Mexican border, was without power and water for two days following the storm. [24]
The Mohave and Yavapai counties were particularly hard-hit. A relief helicopter crashed in attempt to rescue a woman and her baby, killing its two crew members. [26] Five towns – Clifton, Duncan, Winkelman, Hayden, and Marana – were all almost entirely flooded. [1] Authorities were forced to close Interstate 10 when waters from the Gila River destroyed a bridge. [27] Additionally, two people perished in their car on an Indian reservation in the Gila River valley. [28] Nearby, in Phoenix, 150 persons were evacuated from an apartment complex. [29] One underpass was filled with water 9 ft (2.7 m) deep. Throughout the greater Phoenix area, eight fires were started via lightning. Damage from the fires totaled $90,000. In all, 14 injuries were reported. [30] The 28 mile (45 km) long Santa Fe Railway that served the city of Prescott was washed out in multiple locations between the Chino Valley and downtown Prescott due to floodwaters. Railroad service was never reinstituted and the line was formally abandoned in 1984, leaving Prescott as Arizona's largest city ever to lose its rail service. [31]
Extensive damage was reported throughout the state. About one-seventh of the cotton crop was destroyed by Octave. Much of the rich topsoil was washed downstream into large reservoirs. Furthermore, agriculture damage totaled about $97.5 million. Damage to homes totaled $17 million while damages to business exceeded $6 million in damage. Public property damage reached $55.7 million. A father, mother, and two children were swept off their truck in Ash Fork. Two navy officers where killed on September 30 near Oatman when their jet crashed. On October 1, a man drowned in the Santa Cruz river. Another person drowned in a wash near Tucson when his truck stalled. In addition, a taxi driver and a passenger died when tried to cross a flooded river. [30]
Overall, infrastructural damage estimates in the Tucson area ranged from $54–100 million; [2] damage to roads and highways alone surpassed $10 million in Tucson. [26] Tropical Storm Octave was very similar to Tropical Storm Norma in terms of flood damage. Octave was also described as the "Storm of the Century" and a 100-year flood. [2] The system is considered the cause of the worst flood in Pima County history. [32] It is also regarded as the worst tropical system to affect Arizona. [33]
Around 3,000 buildings were destroyed due to Octave. [29] A total of 853 houses, mobile homes, and apartments were destroyed by Octave while 2,052 others were damaged. [24] About 10,000 people were temporarily left homeless. [19] Damage in Arizona totaled $500 million, [1] which was above the preliminary estimate of $300 million. [29] Fourteen people drowned and 975 persons were injured. [34]
In New Mexico, a peak total of 5.31 in (135 mm) of rain was recorded. [35] In that state, the rainfall also caused flooding that forced people from their homes and damaged a portion of U.S. Route 180; New Mexico governor Toney Anaya declared a state of emergency in Catron County. [36] Damage to four flooded counties in southwest New Mexico was estimated at $12.5 million, including $6.5 million worth of damage to levees and dikes. Damage to highways also totaled $1.5 million. [37]
Further west, rainfall was also reported in California. In Mexico, 12 in (300 mm) of precipitation was reported in Altar, while lighter totals between 1–3 in (25–75 mm) were reported along the Baja California Peninsula. [17] In Sonora, many roads near the border were closed, and a lack of food supply was reported. [38] Along the Mexican Riviera, there were isolated reports of 1 in (25 mm) of precipitation. [17]
On October 3, Governor Bruce Babbitt declared a state of emergency. Concerns arose regarding the state of several areas and possible disruptions in the delivery of food and other supplies. [39] President Ronald Reagan declared Arizona counties Cochise, Gila, Graham, Greenlee, Pima, Pinal, Santa Cruz and Yavapai a "major disaster area" on October 5. [40] About $650,000 worth of government aid was provided to victims of Octave. Babbitt also toured the devastated area. Officials also opened 15 shelters, which housed 2,905 people. [24]
Many workers from dozens of companies used cranes, dynamite, trucks, and hammers to clean up dried 7 ft (2.1 m) mud near some rivers. [38] Many destroyed buildings were later rebuilt. Considerable experience was also gained on how to protect flood banks. [18] Repair costs from Octave totaled $60 million. [41] It is estimated that it took four months for floodwaters to recede across southeastern Arizona and portions of New Mexico. [25]
Hurricane Gilbert was the second most intense tropical cyclone on record in the Atlantic basin in terms of barometric pressure, only behind Hurricane Wilma in 2005. An extremely powerful tropical cyclone that formed during the 1988 Atlantic hurricane season, Gilbert peaked as a Category 5 hurricane that brought widespread destruction to the Caribbean and the Gulf of Mexico, and is tied with 1969's Hurricane Camille as the second-most intense tropical cyclone to make landfall in the Atlantic Ocean. Gilbert was also one of the largest tropical cyclones ever observed in the Atlantic basin. At one point, its tropical storm-force winds measured 575 mi (925 km) in diameter. In addition, Gilbert was the most intense tropical cyclone in recorded history to strike Mexico.
The 1983 Pacific hurricane season was the longest season ever recorded at that time. It was a very active Pacific hurricane season. The season started on May 15, 1983 in the eastern Pacific, and on June 1, 1983 in the central Pacific, and lasted until November 30, 1983. These dates conventionally delimit the period of each year when most tropical cyclones form in the northeastern Pacific Ocean. During the 1983 season, there were 20 named storms, which was slightly less than the previous season. Furthermore, twelve of those storms became hurricanes. And eight of the storms reached major hurricane status, or Category 3 or higher on the Saffir–Simpson hurricane wind scale (SSHWS). The decaying 1982–83 El Niño event likely contributed to this level of activity. That same El Niño influenced a very quiet Atlantic hurricane season.
Hurricane Juan was a large and erratic tropical cyclone that looped twice near the Louisiana coast, causing widespread flooding. It was the tenth named storm of the 1985 Atlantic hurricane season, forming in the central Gulf of Mexico in late October. Juan moved northward after its formation, and was subtropical in nature with its large size. On October 27, the storm became a hurricane, reaching maximum sustained winds of 85 mph (140 km/h). Due to the influence of an upper-level low, Juan looped just off southern Louisiana before making landfall near Morgan City on October 29. Weakening to tropical storm status over land, Juan turned back to the southeast over open waters, crossing the Mississippi River Delta. After turning to the northeast, the storm made its final landfall just west of Pensacola, Florida, late on October 31. Juan continued quickly to the north and was absorbed by an approaching cold front, although its moisture contributed to a deadly flood event in the Mid-Atlantic states.
Tropical Storm Bret was the deadliest natural disaster in Venezuela since the 1967 Caracas earthquake. The third tropical cyclone of the 1993 Atlantic hurricane season, Bret formed on August 4 from a westward-moving, African tropical wave. Bret would later peak as a 60 mph (97 km/h) tropical storm as it neared Trinidad. It took an extremely southerly course through the Caribbean, passing over the coasts of Venezuela and Colombia. High terrain in the northern parts of those countries severely disrupted the circulation of the storm, and Bret had weakened to a tropical depression before emerging over the extreme southwestern Caribbean Sea. There, it restrengthened to a tropical storm and made landfall in Nicaragua on August 10, dissipating soon after. Bret's remnants reached the Pacific Ocean, where they would later regenerate into Hurricane Greg.
Hurricane Calvin was one of three Pacific hurricanes on record to make landfall along the Mexican coast during the month of July. The fourth tropical cyclone, third named storm, and second hurricane of the 1993 Pacific hurricane season, Calvin developed from an area of convection to the south of Mexico on July 4. The following day, the system intensified into a tropical storm, which was named Calvin. Continued strengthening ensued as Calvin curved from its initial westward track northward, and was upgraded to a hurricane on July 6. Calvin eventually turned northwest, and became a Category 2 hurricane on the Saffir–Simpson hurricane wind scale (SSHWS). By July 7, Hurricane Calvin made landfall near Manzanillo at peak strength. Calvin rapidly weakened after landfall, and was a tropical storm when it reemerged into the Pacific Ocean on early on July 8. Despite this, the hurricane did not reintensify, and continued to weaken as it headed rapidly northwestward. As Calvin made a second Mexican landfall near the southern tip of Baja California peninsula late on July 8, it weakened to a tropical depression. Early on July 9, the depression dissipated shortly after entering the Pacific Ocean for a third time.
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The 1962 Pacific hurricane season was a moderately active Pacific hurricane season that included two hurricane landfalls. The 1962 Pacific hurricane season officially started on May 15, 1962 in the eastern Pacific and June 1, 1962 in the Central Pacific Hurricane Center's area of responsibility and lasted until November 30, 1962 in both regions. These dates conventionally delimit the period of each year when most tropical cyclones form in the northeastern Pacific Ocean.
Hurricane Raymond was the strongest tropical cyclone of the 1989 Pacific hurricane season, peaking as a strong Category 4 hurricane on the Saffir–Simpson hurricane scale. Forming out of a tropical wave on September 25, 1989, the tropical depression slowly tracked northwest before becoming nearly stationary the next day. Shortly after, the depression intensified into Tropical Storm Raymond and took a general westward track. Gradually intensifying, Raymond attained hurricane-status on September 28 and attained its peak intensity on September 30, with winds of 145 mph (233 km/h) and a barometric pressure of 935 mbar. Steady weakening then took place and by October 3, Raymond turned northeast towards land. The storm continued to weaken as it accelerated and eventually made landfall on the Baja California Peninsula as a tropical storm late on October 4 and a second landfall in Sonora, Mexico. Shortly after, Raymond weakened to a depression as it tracked inland. The remnants of the system persisted until October 7 when it dissipated over the Central United States.
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The October 1996 India cyclone had an unusual and protracted path that spanned much of the northern Indian Ocean. It originated in a weather disturbance that formed on October 14 in the southern Bay of Bengal, off India's east coast. Moving westward, it struck Andhra Pradesh on October 17 as a well-defined low-pressure area. It crossed southern India and reorganized in the Arabian Sea off the western coast of India. The system developed into a depression on October 22 and quickly intensified while moving northward. By October 24, the cyclone approached hurricane intensity as it developed an eye, reaching peak winds of at least 110 km/h (70 mph). On October 25, the storm abruptly stalled and weakened off Gujarat, and progressed southwestward as a minimal storm. It was no longer classifiable as a tropical cyclone by October 28, although its remnants persisted until November 2 when they dissipated east of Somalia.
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