1959 Mexico hurricane
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| Category 5 hurricane (SSHS) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Formed | October 23, 1959 | |
| Dissipated | October 29, 1959 | |
| Highest winds |
|
|
| Lowest pressure | ≤958 hPa (mbar) | |
| Fatalities | 1000-2000 (deadliest East Pacific hurricane) | |
| Damage | ≥ $280 million (1959 USD) ≥ $2.1 billion (2008 USD) |
|
| Areas affected |
Colima and Jalisco, much of western Mexico | |
| Part of the 1959 Pacific hurricane season |
||
The 1959 Mexico Hurricane was a devastating tropical cyclone that was one of the worst Pacific hurricanes ever. It impacted the Pacific coast of Mexico in October 1959. It killed at least 1,000 people, and perhaps double that, a record that still stands, and caused at least 280 million dollars in damage. The system's worst impact was in the Mexican States of Colima and Jalisco due to high winds, and flooding. This hurricane was also a Category 5 on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale and set several records, related to both impact and meteorological statistics.
Contents |
[edit] Storm history
The fifteenth known tropical cyclone of the 1959 season and twelfth storm in the Eastern North Pacific was first noticed on October 23, south of Mexico. As it was already a Category 1 hurricane, it had probably formed a little bit earlier than this date. It took the usual northwesterly track for hurricanes in the eastern Pacific. It steadily intensified, becoming a major hurricane on October 25 and reaching Category 4 on the Saffir-Simpson Scale the next day. This was followed by a turn to the northeast. It continued to intensify, and became a Category 5 on October 27. It smashed ashore close to Manzanillo, Colima. Weakened quickly by landfall, it dissipated over central Mexico on October 29.[1]
This hurricane's lowest central pressure is 958 millibars. Its highest windspeed is 140 knots(160 mph, 260 km/h). The official "best track" data set indicates that this velocity was attained after landfall.[1] However, a minor revision corrects this error, making it clear that the hurricane strengthened over water and confirming that the hurricane made landfall with strong winds due to a reading above 135 knots (155 mph, 250 km/h) in Manzanillo. The revision also indicates that the hurricane may have had higher winds than officially recorded.[2]
[edit] Impact
| Name | Season | Name | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Patsy | 1959 | "Mexico" | 1959 |
| Ava | 1973 | Emilia | 1994 |
| Gilma | 1994 | John | 1994 |
| Guillermo | 1997 | Linda | 1997 |
| Elida | 2002 | Hernan | 2002 |
| Kenna | 2002 | Ioke | 2006 |
| Main article: List of Category 5 Pacific hurricanes | |||
Thousands of people were unprepared for the storm. Thus, the system was dubbed "a sneak hurricane". After passing well offshore from Acapulco, it was forecast to head out to sea. Instead, it recurved east and made landfall.[3]
The hurricane had devastating effects on the places it hit. It killed at least 1,000 people directly,[4] and perhaps as many as 1,500[5] or 1,800.[4] It was Mexico's worst natural disaster in recent times.[3] Most of the destruction was in Colima and Jalisco.[6] A preliminary estimate of property damage was $280 million (1959 USD).[7]
The storm sank three merchant ships,[5] and two other vessels.[8] On one ship, the Sinaloa,[9] 21 of 38 hands went down.[10] On another, the El Caribe, all hands were lost.[9] As many as 150 total boats were sunk.[6]
A quarter of the homes in Cihuatlán were totally destroyed, leaving many homeless.[5] In Manzanillo, 40 percent of all homes were destroyed, and four ships in the harbour were sunk.[11] Large portions of Colima and Jalisco were isolated by flooding. Hundreds of people were stranded. Minatitlán suffered especially, as 800 people out of its population of 1000 were dead or missing, according to a message sent to Mexican President Adolfo Lopez Mateos.[8] In Colima, all coconut plantations were blown down and thousands of people were left out of work. That state's economy was damaged enough that officials thought it would take years to recover.[6]
The hurricane also dumped heavy rains along its path. This water-logged the hills near Minatitlán, and contributed to huge mudslide late on October 29 that claimed 800 victims. The slide uncovered hundreds of venomous scorpions and snakes, which killed tens more people in the aftermath.[4] Additional hordes of scorpions were driven from their nests when the adobe walls crumbled away. The Governor of Colima, Chavez Carrillo, issued a plea for venom inoculations afterwards.[3] In some places, the mud was 10 feet (3.0 m) deep.[12] Water supplies were badly polluted, both by debris and dead bodies.[6]
In the aftermath, air rescue operations were conducted, but the destruction of roads in the area hindered convoys carrying aid.[13] Planes also made supply drops, but rescue operations were hindered by broken roads and rails.[8] Survivors were vaccinated against typhoid and tetanus.[12] Part of Manzanillo was placed under quarantine.[6]
[edit] Records
| Rank | Hurricane | Season | Fatalities |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | "Mexico" | 1959 | 1800+ |
| 2 | Paul | 1982 | 1000+ |
| 3 | Liza | 1976 | 630–990 |
| 4 | Tara | 1961 | 430–500 |
| 5 | Pauline | 1997 | 230–400 |
| Main article: List of Pacific hurricanes | |||
This hurricane holds several records:
- It is the strongest landfall of any known East Pacific hurricane.[14]
- Of the seven tropical cyclones to make landfall in Mexico at Category 5 intensity,[15][16] this one was only one to do so on the Pacific coast.[15]
- It is the only Pacific hurricane to make landfall as a Category 5.[14][1][2]
- It reached Category 5 intensity on October 27, the latest time any Pacific hurricane has done that in a season.[1]
- It is the deadliest east Pacific hurricane. Its death totals are higher than any other known Pacific hurricane,[17][4][5] including Hurricanes Paul[18] and Liza,[19][4][20] the only other known systems to come close to, or exceed, 1000 deaths.
- It is the first known Pacific hurricane to reach Category 5 intensity in the eastern Pacific proper (between 140°W and North America); the only earlier system, Hurricane Patsy, was located in the Central Pacific (140°W to the dateline).[1]
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- ^ a b c d e Eastern North Pacific Tracks File 1949-2007. National Hurricane Center (2008-03-04). Retrieved on 2008-03-11.
- ^ a b EPAC HURDAT Metadata. Retrieved on 2008-03-11.
- ^ a b c "Scorpions Add To Storm Havoc" (PDF), San Mateo Times, 1959-10-30. Retrieved on 2008-05-09.
- ^ a b c d e (April 1998) Natural Hazards of North America (Map), National Geographic Society.
- ^ a b c d E. Jáuregui (2003). Climatology of landfalling hurricanes and tropical storms in Mexico (PDF). Atmósfera 201. Archived from the original on 2006-06-14. Retrieved on 2007-12-28.
- ^ a b c d e "Mexico Fights Threat of Epidemic After Hurricane That Killed 2,000" (PDF), Ogden Standard-Examiner, 1959-11-02, p. 8. Retrieved on 2008-05-19.
- ^ "Deaths Near 1500 in Mexico storm", Pacific Stars and Stripes, 1959-11-03, p. 31. Retrieved on 2008-05-19.
- ^ a b c "Toll of Over 1,000 Now Feared in Mexico Hurricane and Floods" (PDF), Titusville Herald, 1959-10-30. Retrieved on 2008-05-09.
- ^ a b "Mexico Hurricane Kills 800", Pacific Stars and Stripes, 1959-10-31, p. 29. Retrieved on 2008-05-17.
- ^ Charles H. Guptill. "Hurricane Kills 1000 in Mexico" (PDF), Lowell Sun, 1959-10-30. Retrieved on 2008-05-09.
- ^ Associated Press. "Mexico Hit by Killer Hurricane" (PDF), Wisconsin Rapids Daily Tribune, 1959-10-29. Retrieved on 2008-03-18.
- ^ a b "1,452 Dead in Hurricane", San Antonio Express and News, 1959-11-01. Retrieved on 2008-05-09.
- ^ Jimmie S. Payne. "Toll in Mexico Hurricane Now at 300" (PDF), Helena Independent Record. Retrieved on 2008-05-09.
- ^ a b James Franklin (2002-12-26). Tropical Cyclone Report Hurricane Kenna. National Hurricane Center. Retrieved on 2008-05-09.
- ^ a b E. Jáuregui (2003). Climatology of landfalling hurricanes and tropical storms in Mexico (PDF). Atmósfera 198. Archived from the original on 2006-06-14. Retrieved on 2008-05-17.
- ^ James Franklin (2008-01-31). Tropical Cyclone Report Hurricane Dean (PDF). National Hurricane Center. Retrieved on 2008-05-17.
- ^ Addison Whipple (1982). Storm. Time Life Books, 103. ISBN0-8094-4312-0.
- ^ E.B. Gunther, R.L. Cross, & R.A. Wagoner (May 1983). Eastern North Pacific Tropical Cyclones of 1982. Monthly Weather Review 1080, 1097-8. American Meteorological Society. Retrieved on 2007-12-13.
- ^ Emil B. Gunther (April 1977). Eastern North Pacific Tropical Cyclones of 1976 (PDF). Monthly Weather Review 508. American Meteorological Society. Retrieved on 2007-12-24.
- ^ Mary E. Clifford (1977). News Dictionary 1976. Facts On File. ISBN 0-87196-103-2.
