1943 Mazatlán hurricane

Infobox Hurricane
Name=1943 Mazatlán hurricane
Type=Hurricane
Year=1943
Basin=EPac
Formed=≤October 8, 1943
Dissipated=October 9, 1943
Image location=Location_Mazatlan.png
Mazatlán within Mexico
1-min winds=116
Pressure=959
Pressurepre=≤
Da

Inflated=0
Fatalities=100
Areas=Mexico
Hurricane season=1925-1949 Pacific hurricane seasonsThe 1943 Mazatlán hurricane was a powerful tropical cyclone that struck the Pacific coast of Mexico in October 1943. First observed off the coast of Sinaloa, the hurricane made landfall just south of Mazatlán on October 9 with a pressure of 959 mbar and maximum sustained winds of at least 136 mph (220 km/h). The hurricane destroyed two small towns and half of Mazatlán, killing around 100 people, injuring 102, and leaving over 1,000 homeless. Total damage was estimated at $4.5 million (1943 USD, $56 million 2008 USD).

Meteorological history

On October 8, a developing tropical cyclone was first observed between the Revillagigedo Islands and Islas Marías. It moved rapidly northeastward as an intense hurricane, with the station at Mazatlán, Sinaloa reporting a 28 mbar (0.827 inHg) drop in pressure in the 8 hours as the storm approached. At 1530 UTC on October 9, the hurricane made landfall just south of Mazatlán, where a pressure of 958.6 mbar (28.31 inHg) was reported. Also in Mazatlán, an anemometer reported winds of 136 mph (220 km/h) for a period of 15 minutes, before the instrument was blown loose. With sustained winds greater than 131 mph (210 km/h), the hurricane would have been classified at least as a Category 4 on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale. [cite web|author=National Hurricane Center|accessdate=2008-09-07|year=2007|title=The Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/aboutsshs.shtml] The storm dropped little precipitation along its path, accruing to about 2 inches (50 mm) after the center moved ashore.

As the hurricane continued inland, it rapidly weakened over the mountainous terrain.cite web|author=Howard C. Sumner|date=1944-01-04|title=1943 Monthly Weather Review|publisher=U.S. Weather Bureau|accessdate=2008-09-07|url=http://www.aoml.noaa.gov/general/lib/lib1/nhclib/mwreviews/1943.pdf|format=PDF] It passed into Chihuahua and was predicted to continue into the southern United States, [cite web|author=New York Times|date=1943-10-13|title=Hurricane Heads for U.S.; Reports Indicate New Mexico or Texas Lies in Its Path|accessdate=2008-09-07|url=http://select.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=F60817FC3A581B7B93C1A8178BD95F478485F9] though the remainder of its path is unknown.

Impact

Moving ashore as a powerful hurricane, the storm destroyed two small towns, and also severely damaged the port at Mazatlán. Though the storm was described as " [striking] without warning", most of the residents in the cities that were destroyed were able to reach safety in higher ground. [cite web|author=Associated Press|date=1943-10-14|title=Two Towns Reported Destroyed by Storm|accessdate=2008-09-07|url=http://www.thehurricanearchive.com/Viewer.aspx?
] The hurricane destroyed about half of the buildings in Mazatlán, and near the ocean, the combination of strong waves, high winds, and rainfall left many hotels and houses heavily damaged.cite news|author=United Press International|date=1943-10-10|title=Hurricane Hits Mexico Port of Mazatlán; Damage Heavy|accessdate=2008-09-07|url=http://www.thehurricanearchive.com/Viewer.aspx?
] The storm damaged water systems, leaving people without potable water or sewage systems. In a 50 mile (80 km) portion of the coastline, the storm severely impacted the communication and transportation infrastructure. The airport at Mazatlán received damage to its radio tower, and for at least 18 hours, the only communication between the city and the Mexican mainland was through the radio of a plane in the airport. Total damage was estimated at $4.5 million (1943 USD, $56 million 2008 USD).

Several fishing boats were lost during the storm, and at least six fishing casualties were reported. By two days after the storm, the death toll rose to 18; [cite news|author=Associated Press|date=1943-10-11|title=Mexican Hurricane Claims 18 Victims|accessdate=2008-09-07|url=http://www.thehurricanearchive.com/Viewer.aspx?
] the next day, the Associated Press reported 52 deaths and 102 injuries. [cite news|author=Associated Press|1943-10-12|title=Hurricane Whips into Southwest|accessdate=2008-09-07|url=http://www.thehurricanearchive.com/Viewer.aspx?
] Ten days after the storm, military officials reported the death toll rose to 57, [cite web|author=Associated Press|date=1943-10-19|title=Auto Crushed by Falling Wall in Hurricane|accessdate=2008-09-07|url=http://www.thehurricanearchive.com/Viewer.aspx?
] and the number of people left homeless by the storm reached over 1,000. Ultimately, the death toll was estimated at around 100 fatalities.

By 24 hours after the storm, Mexican President Manuel Ávila Camacho ordered nurses and doctors on standby, and for military workers in the area to prepare to assist in the aftermath. By five days after the storm, officials had restored power and communications in the area. Around the same time, President Camacho issued an appeal for public donations for storm victims. [cite web|author=United Press International|date=1943-10-14|title=Mexico Seeks Storm Relief|accessdate=2008-09-07|url=http://www.thehurricanearchive.com/Viewer.aspx?
] Within a week, citizens sent large quantities of food, clothing, and medicine to the worst affected areas.cite web|author=United Press International|date=1943-10-20|title=Rush Aid to Victims of Hurricane at Mazatlan, Mexico|accessdate=2008-09-07|url=http://www.thehurricanearchive.com/Viewer.aspx?
] The President of Mexico personally visited Mazatlán with other officials, bringing aid in the form of medicine and clothing.cite web|author=United Press International|date=1943-10-21|title=President Inspects Storm Destruction|accessdate=2008-09-07|url=http://www.thehurricanearchive.com/Viewer.aspx?
]

ee also

*1959 Mexico hurricane

References