| Category 4 hurricane (SSHS) | |
|---|---|
| Hurricane Norman at peak intensity | |
| Formed | August 30, 1978 |
| Dissipated | September 6, 1978 |
| Highest winds | 1-minute sustained: 140 mph (220 km/h) |
| Fatalities | 4 indirect, 17 missing |
| Damage | $300 million (1978 USD) |
| Areas affected | Mexico, United States (especially California and Nevada) |
| Part of the 1978 Pacific hurricane season | |
Hurricane Norman was the most recent hurricane to make landfall in California. The 14th named storm, 11th hurricane and 6th major hurricane of the 1978 Pacific hurricane season. It struck California as a weak tropical depression and dissipated shortly thereafter. Over 7.01 inches (178 mm) of rain occurred in the Sierra Nevada range. [1]
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This system evolved from a tropical disturbance noted 400 miles southeast of Acapulco on the afternoon of August 29th. The system moved westward and developed into a tropical depression on the 30th. Modest strengthening ensued, and the cyclone became a tropical storm that evening and a hurricane on the evening of the 31st as it turned to the west-northwest.
Late on the night of the 1st Norman became a major hurricane with a 40-mile wide eye, and a nearby ship reported seas of 41 feet. The center grazed the northeast side of Socorro Island on the afternoon of the 2nd. Moving over cooler waters west of Baja California, the cyclone slowly weakened.
By early on September 4th moisture from the hurricane spread north into California initiating rains in the Golden State. A developing trough to its west caused the initial influx of moisture and Norman's turn to the north as a weakening tropical storm. Eventually turning north-northeast towards southern California, the cyclone did eventually turn north-northeast towards southern California, and the cyclone weakened to a tropical depression as it passed the 30th parallel. [2] Hurricane Norman made landfall in California on September 5, as a minimal tropical depression. The tropical cyclone became a remnant low shortly after California landfall, and the final advisory was issued at 00:00 GMT, on September 6. [3]
A flash flood watch was issued for the mountainous terrain and the desert region from Kern County to the California-Mexico border by the National Weather Service. The remnants of Hurricane Norman managed to produce several inches of rain, with over 7.01 in (178 mm) of rain occurred in the Sierra Nevada range.[1] Rainfall was most intense on September 5 and September 6th with amounts exceeding 3 inches in the mountains of southern California. [4] In addition, Norman produced waves up to 15 feet (180 in) high.[5] The extratropical remains of Hurricane Norman also moved into Nevada produced very significant amounts of rainfall in the extreme central portion of the state to the northern portion of the state. [6][2]
The remnants of the tropical cyclone knocked down power lines, and caused a brief power failure from Santa Barbara to San Diego, reported by the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power, the Southern California Edison and the San Diego Gas and Electric. [5] The high winds tossed about ships in local harbors and damaging agricultural crops in Southern California, such as raisin crops, and damage to raisins were extensive throughout Kern, Tulare, and Stanislaus Counties. The rainfall also damaged grapes and other varieties of grapes. Over 1,500 people had to be rescued due to high waves. A 25-foot, $15,000 cruiser was smashed and destroyed when a surf 150 foot from ashore came at Dana Point.[1]
The tropical cyclone also produced rare late summer snow in some areas of the Sierra (especially Mt. Whitney), and the blizzard killed at least four people, and at least seventeen others were missing. It dumped at least 5 inches (130 mm) of snow to many hiking areas. The snow also produced surging tides at the Los Angeles Harbor, and swept a 10,000-ton tanker from its moorings. [7] Many search and rescue teams in Inyo County went on a search, and many hikers had to be rescued.[8] The tropical cyclone had managed to cause $300 million (1978 USD) in damages.[9]