Hurricane Tico (1983)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Category 4 hurricane (SSHS) | ||
|---|---|---|
.JPG/235px-Hurricane_Tico_(1983).JPG) Hurricane Tico at peak strength |
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| Formed | October 11, 1983 | |
| Dissipated | October 19, 1983 | |
| Highest winds |
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| Lowest pressure | Unknown | |
| Fatalities | 9 direct, 114 missing | |
| Damage | $66 million (1983 USD) $142.7 million (2008 USD) |
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| Areas affected |
Mexico, inland United States | |
| Part of the 1983 Pacific hurricane season |
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Hurricane Tico was a Category 4 hurricane of the 1983 Pacific hurricane season. Tico was a late-season major hurricane, existing in early-to-mid October, 1983. It made landfall in western Mexico, before its remnants headed northwest over the North American continent.
Tico was the most destructive and deadliest of the season. At least 9 people, and possibly up to 114, were killed. The damage amounted to $66 million (1983 USD). After losing tropical characteristics, Tico's remnants moved into the United States, where they caused heavy rains and flooding.
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[edit] Storm history
On October 7, a weak area of disturbed weather emerged into the Pacific Ocean from Costa Rica. After moving slowly westward, it passed over an isotherm of very warm waters, started organizing, and became Tropical Depression 21 on October 11. A trough tugged the system slowly to the north, and the Eastern Pacific Hurricane Center upgraded the system into Tropical Storm Tico on October 13.[1]
The trough broke down, and Tico headed out to sea under the influence of a ridge. It strengthened into a hurricane on October 14.[2] Its slow intensification increased until October 17, at which point it was at Category 3 intensity.[2]
On October 18, another trough formed over Mexico. This caused Tico to curve and sent it accelerating towards landfall. On October 19, the hurricane made landfall near Mazatlán. It quickly lost tropical characteristics.[1] Its remnants continued heading northwest and entered the United States as a frontal wave. The wave was eventually occluded, turned to the southeast while just south of Lake Michigan, and was lost track of on October 24.[3]
[edit] Observations
_-_Landfall.jpg/180px-Hurricane_Tico_(1983)_-_Landfall.jpg)
Hurricane Tico is one of the few Pacific hurricanes to be investigated by Hurricane Hunter flights. On October 13, an airplane flew into the system and discovered an eye.[1]
Several ships encountered Tico while the hurricane was at sea. In particular, the container ship Scandinavian Highway was especially close to the center of the storm at one time. It observations were of particular value.[1]
[edit] Impact
Hurricane Tico killed at least nine people, all of them Mexican fishers. Another 105 people were missing. Throughout the area of worst devastation, approximately 25000 people were homeless. The total cost of damage was $66 million (1984 USD).[1] In the United States, Tico's remnants caused heavy flooding.
[edit] Mexico
The area around Mazatlán was extensively damaged. Nine fishers were killed. Another 105 people were missing and unaccounted for. Nine ships were sunk. Tico also left 25000 people homeless.[1] If all of the missing people were killed, Tico could be as high as sixth on the list of deadliest Pacific hurricanes.
Flooding was extensive as nearly 9 inches (229 mm) of rainfall fell at Pueblo Laredo in the mountains inland of its point of landfall.[4] In Sinaloa, agriculture, especially to beans and corn, with 19000 acres (77 km²) of those crops being totally destroyed. In Mexico, the total cost of damage was $66 million (1984 USD).[1]
[edit] United States
Rain from Tico's remnants was heavy and flooding occurred in parts of southern Kansas, Texas, and especially Oklahoma.[1] Oklahoma had the worst flooding, with the Red River reaching 40-60 year highs. Total precipitation of 16.95 inches (430.5 mm), at a site just south of Chickasha was attributed to Tico.[3] Oklahoma City, reported 8.95 inches (227.3 mm) of rain from the weather system, the one-day record for that location.[5]
In Oklahoma, the total total damage was $84 million USD (year unknown), of which $77 million USD (year unknown) was to agriculture.[6]
[edit] See also
[edit] External links
[edit] References
- ^ a b c d e f g h Eastern North Pacific Tropical Cyclones of 1983 (PDF). Monthly Weather Review 1419-20, 1436-37. American Meteorological Society (July 1984). Retrieved on 2006-11-19.
- ^ a b Hurricane TICO. Retrieved on 2006-11-19.
- ^ a b Roth, David. Hurricane Tico - October 18-24, 1983. Hydrometeorological Prediction Center. Retrieved on 2006-11-19.
- ^ Roth, David. Hurricane Tico Rainfall Image. Retrieved on 2007-05-04]. Retrieved on 2007-05-07.
- ^ Oklahoma's Top 10 Weather Events of the 20th Century. National Weather Service. Retrieved on 2007-05-02.
- ^ Weather Time Line: Oklahoma 1900-2000 (PDF). Oklahoma Climatological Survey. Retrieved on 2006-11-19.
