Hurricane Norma (1981)
Encyclopedia
Hurricane Norma was the one of two hurricanes to make landfall
during the 1981 Pacific hurricane season
. It developed on October 8, strengthening into a tropical storm and later a hurricane. Norma moved slowly to the northwest and strengthened into a Category 3 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale
. The storm recurved and accelerated to the northeast on October 11 and weakened to a Category 2. The next day, Norma made landfall near Mazatlán
on October 12 and soon dissipated. The hurricane's remnants continued northeastward and entered the United States
, crossing into central Texas
before being absorbed by a frontal system on October 14. Norma caused $24 million in crop damage and one death in Mexico
, as well as up to 10 in (254 mm). In Texas, the storm produced flooding rains that killed five people, $50 million in damage and caused many tornado
es. Rainfall was also reported as far inland as Kansas
.
upgraded the storm into a hurricane and a well-defined eye became visible via satellite imagery
.
Upon reaching hurricane strength, Norma began to undergo a period rapid intensification
; it reached Category 2 intensity on the Saffir–Simpson Hurricane Scale six hours later. Later that that, the storm reached major hurricane status, a storm with winds of 111 mph (178.6 km/h) or higher on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale
. . The storm reached it's peak of 125 mph (205 km/h) at 1800 UTC on October 10. Passing east of Socorro Island, the storm turned north and shortly thereafter north-northeast due to southwesterly flow over northwestern Mexico
.
The storm began to accelerate while continuing to weaken; by 1200 UTC on October 11, the storm had weakened into a mid-level Category 2 hurricane. After briefly re-intensifying that night, Hurricane Norma made landfall just northeast of Mazatlan with winds of 105 mph (155 km/h) at 1000 UTC on October 12. Two hours later, advisories were discontinued as the center dissipated 46.5 mi (75 km) north of Mazatlan
. However, a second area of low pressure formed over western Texas
early on October 13. After producing heavy rains, the system was absorbed by a frontal system on October 14.
, Tropical Storm Lidia
made landfall north of the area. Lidia killed 73 people and caused $60 million (1981 USD) in damage. This prompted evacuations of 5,000 people, and limited the death toll of Hurricane Norma to one person, a fisherman drowned when his boat capsized in the storm. The hurricane caused more devastation in the flood-ravaged region. Six soldiers were guarding a government helicopter, five of these soldiers were washed away during a flash flood
. Agriculture was disrupted, and cattle were killed, causing at least $24 million (1981 USD) dollars in crop damage. The highest Mexican rainfall
was 10.9 in (276.9 mm) in Plomosas/Rosario, Mexico. Torrential rains caused serious flooding north of Mazatlan
. as well as ten nearby towns. Due to the damage from the storm, Antonio Toledo Corro, the Governor of Sinaloa
, declared a state of emergency
. Red Cross spokesperson noted that 5,000 residents need to be evacuated from low-lying areas.
. The heavy rainfall caused two rivers, the Red River and Cedar Creek
to reach flood-stage. A total of five people were killed in the United states, three of these deaths occurred when floodwaters swept their car off the road in Fort Worth. Nearby, flooding forced thousands of people to evacuate their homes, including 1,000 people in the cities of Lindsay and Breckenridge. Several tornado
es were reported in six counties, including a F2 tornado in McLennan
that injured four people and caused $25 million in damage. A F3 tornado was also reported in Navarro Country, causing $25,000 in property damage. During October 13 and 14, a total of 13 tornadoes were reported in northern Texas and southern Oklahoma.
Cedar Creek
overflowed its banks and homes in low-lying areas of Abilene, Texas
were covered in 6 ft (1.8 m) of water. In Gainesville
, floodwaters swept a train off its track and an elephant was killed in a local zoo
. In the same area, 200 people were evacuated due to the flooding.
Waco
reported power losses for two hours and $2.8 million (1981 USD) in damage for churches and businesses. In Oklahoma, 60 bridges were washed away due to flooding, but no injures or deaths were reported. In addition, a tornado struck a small town, causing minor damage to farms. The town of Bells
reported winds of 75 mph (120.7 km/h). Total damage in Texas
was estimated at $50 million (1981 USD).
Across Texas, 13 in (330.2 mm) fell between Bridgeport and Denton and up to 20 in (508 mm) fell in areas near Abilene and Gainesville. The storm produced 17.9 in (454.7 mm) of rain in a three-day period, thus causing Madill
to have its wettest October on record. In addition, 20.1 inches (510.5 mm) of rain fell in Breckenridge, Texas
. In eastern Kansas
light rain fell, including 0.7 in (17.8 mm) near Perry Lake within a 24 hour period.
Due to the damage from the hurricane in the United States, the Salvation Army
disaster units were sent throughout the devastated area. To prevent looting, residents in Breckenridge organized watches; the National Guard soon patrolled the streets. In Abilene, the United States Red Cross worked to feed the homeless and supply them with drinking water until city water services was restored.
Landfall (meteorology)
Landfall is the event of a tropical cyclone or a waterspout coming onto land after being over water. When a waterspout makes landfall it is reclassified as a tornado, which can then cause damage inland...
during the 1981 Pacific hurricane season
1981 Pacific hurricane season
The 1981 Pacific hurricane season was a moderately active Pacific hurricane season with six tropical cyclones directly affecting land. The season officially started on May 15 in the eastern Pacific, and on June 1 in the central Pacific, and ended on November 30; these dates conventionally delimit...
. It developed on October 8, strengthening into a tropical storm and later a hurricane. Norma moved slowly to the northwest and strengthened into a Category 3 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale
Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale
The Saffir–Simpson Hurricane Scale , or the Saffir–Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale , classifies hurricanes — Western Hemisphere tropical cyclones that exceed the intensities of tropical depressions and tropical storms — into five categories distinguished by the intensities of their sustained winds...
. The storm recurved and accelerated to the northeast on October 11 and weakened to a Category 2. The next day, Norma made landfall near Mazatlán
Mazatlán
Mazatlán is a city in the Mexican state of Sinaloa; the surrounding municipio for which the city serves as the municipal seat is Mazatlán Municipality. It is located at on the Pacific coast, across from the southernmost tip of the Baja California peninsula.Mazatlán is a Nahuatl word meaning...
on October 12 and soon dissipated. The hurricane's remnants continued northeastward and entered the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, crossing into central Texas
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
before being absorbed by a frontal system on October 14. Norma caused $24 million in crop damage and one death in Mexico
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
, as well as up to 10 in (254 mm). In Texas, the storm produced flooding rains that killed five people, $50 million in damage and caused many tornado
Tornado
A tornado is a violent, dangerous, rotating column of air that is in contact with both the surface of the earth and a cumulonimbus cloud or, in rare cases, the base of a cumulus cloud. They are often referred to as a twister or a cyclone, although the word cyclone is used in meteorology in a wider...
es. Rainfall was also reported as far inland as Kansas
Kansas
Kansas is a US state located in the Midwestern United States. It is named after the Kansas River which flows through it, which in turn was named after the Kansa Native American tribe, which inhabited the area. The tribe's name is often said to mean "people of the wind" or "people of the south...
.
Meteorological history
Early on October 8, a tropical depression had developed far from land. Initially, the storm moved west-northwest, but it turned to the northwest six hours after forming. Over sea surface temperatures of 82 °F (27.8 °C), the storm intensified into Tropical Storm Norma at 0600 UTC . By midday on October 9, the winds had reached 50 mph (85 km/h) and on 1800 UTC October 9, the Eastern Pacific Hurricane CenterEastern Pacific Hurricane Center
The Eastern Pacific Hurricane Center was formerly the Regional Specialized Meteorological Center responsible for forecasting Pacific hurricanes in the eastern north Pacific east of 140°W...
upgraded the storm into a hurricane and a well-defined eye became visible via satellite imagery
Satellite imagery
Satellite imagery consists of photographs of Earth or other planets made by means of artificial satellites.- History :The first images from space were taken on sub-orbital flights. The U.S-launched V-2 flight on October 24, 1946 took one image every 1.5 seconds...
.
Upon reaching hurricane strength, Norma began to undergo a period rapid intensification
Rapid deepening
Rapid deepening, also known as rapid intensification, is a meteorological condition that occurs when the minimum sea-level atmospheric pressure of a tropical cyclone decreases drastically in a short period of time. The National Weather Service describes rapid deepening as a decrease of...
; it reached Category 2 intensity on the Saffir–Simpson Hurricane Scale six hours later. Later that that, the storm reached major hurricane status, a storm with winds of 111 mph (178.6 km/h) or higher on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale
Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale
The Saffir–Simpson Hurricane Scale , or the Saffir–Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale , classifies hurricanes — Western Hemisphere tropical cyclones that exceed the intensities of tropical depressions and tropical storms — into five categories distinguished by the intensities of their sustained winds...
. . The storm reached it's peak of 125 mph (205 km/h) at 1800 UTC on October 10. Passing east of Socorro Island, the storm turned north and shortly thereafter north-northeast due to southwesterly flow over northwestern Mexico
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
.
The storm began to accelerate while continuing to weaken; by 1200 UTC on October 11, the storm had weakened into a mid-level Category 2 hurricane. After briefly re-intensifying that night, Hurricane Norma made landfall just northeast of Mazatlan with winds of 105 mph (155 km/h) at 1000 UTC on October 12. Two hours later, advisories were discontinued as the center dissipated 46.5 mi (75 km) north of Mazatlan
Mazatlán
Mazatlán is a city in the Mexican state of Sinaloa; the surrounding municipio for which the city serves as the municipal seat is Mazatlán Municipality. It is located at on the Pacific coast, across from the southernmost tip of the Baja California peninsula.Mazatlán is a Nahuatl word meaning...
. However, a second area of low pressure formed over western Texas
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
early on October 13. After producing heavy rains, the system was absorbed by a frontal system on October 14.
Impact and Aftermath
Mexico
Four days before Norma moved through SinaloaSinaloa
Sinaloa officially Estado Libre y Soberano de Sinaloa is one of the 31 states which, with the Federal District, comprise the 32 Federal Entities of Mexico. It is divided in 18 municipalities and its capital city is Culiacán Rosales....
, Tropical Storm Lidia
Tropical Storm Lidia (1981)
Tropical Storm Lidia was a deadly, destructive tropical cyclone that occurred during the 1981 Pacific hurricane season. It resulted in more casualties and caused greater damage than Hurricane Norma, which took place later that season. On October 6, a tropical depression formed and strengthened into...
made landfall north of the area. Lidia killed 73 people and caused $60 million (1981 USD) in damage. This prompted evacuations of 5,000 people, and limited the death toll of Hurricane Norma to one person, a fisherman drowned when his boat capsized in the storm. The hurricane caused more devastation in the flood-ravaged region. Six soldiers were guarding a government helicopter, five of these soldiers were washed away during a flash flood
Flood
A flood is an overflow of an expanse of water that submerges land. The EU Floods directive defines a flood as a temporary covering by water of land not normally covered by water...
. Agriculture was disrupted, and cattle were killed, causing at least $24 million (1981 USD) dollars in crop damage. The highest Mexican rainfall
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
was 10.9 in (276.9 mm) in Plomosas/Rosario, Mexico. Torrential rains caused serious flooding north of Mazatlan
Mazatlán
Mazatlán is a city in the Mexican state of Sinaloa; the surrounding municipio for which the city serves as the municipal seat is Mazatlán Municipality. It is located at on the Pacific coast, across from the southernmost tip of the Baja California peninsula.Mazatlán is a Nahuatl word meaning...
. as well as ten nearby towns. Due to the damage from the storm, Antonio Toledo Corro, the Governor of Sinaloa
Governor of Sinaloa
List of governors of the Mexican state of Sinaloa:Name PartyTermJesús AguilarJuan S. MillánRenato Vega AlvaradoFrancisco LabastidaAntonio Toledo CorroAlfonso G...
, declared a state of emergency
State of emergency
A state of emergency is a governmental declaration that may suspend some normal functions of the executive, legislative and judicial powers, alert citizens to change their normal behaviours, or order government agencies to implement emergency preparedness plans. It can also be used as a rationale...
. Red Cross spokesperson noted that 5,000 residents need to be evacuated from low-lying areas.
United States
The remnants of the storm moved into Texas and OklahomaOklahoma
Oklahoma is a state located in the South Central region of the United States of America. With an estimated 3,751,351 residents as of the 2010 census and a land area of 68,667 square miles , Oklahoma is the 28th most populous and 20th-largest state...
. The heavy rainfall caused two rivers, the Red River and Cedar Creek
Cedar Creek
-In Delaware:*Cedar Creek, Delaware*Cedar Creek Hundred, an unincorporated subdivision of Sussex County, Delaware-In Georgia:*Cedar Creek , former name for Vickery Creek, a tributary of the Chattahoochee River-In Indiana:...
to reach flood-stage. A total of five people were killed in the United states, three of these deaths occurred when floodwaters swept their car off the road in Fort Worth. Nearby, flooding forced thousands of people to evacuate their homes, including 1,000 people in the cities of Lindsay and Breckenridge. Several tornado
Tornado
A tornado is a violent, dangerous, rotating column of air that is in contact with both the surface of the earth and a cumulonimbus cloud or, in rare cases, the base of a cumulus cloud. They are often referred to as a twister or a cyclone, although the word cyclone is used in meteorology in a wider...
es were reported in six counties, including a F2 tornado in McLennan
McLennan County, Texas
McLennan County is a county located on the Edwards Plateau in Central Texas. In 2000, its population was 213,517; in 2008 the U.S. Census Bureau estimated its population to be 230,213. Its seat is Waco. The county is named for Neil McLennan, an early settler....
that injured four people and caused $25 million in damage. A F3 tornado was also reported in Navarro Country, causing $25,000 in property damage. During October 13 and 14, a total of 13 tornadoes were reported in northern Texas and southern Oklahoma.
Cedar Creek
Cedar Creek
-In Delaware:*Cedar Creek, Delaware*Cedar Creek Hundred, an unincorporated subdivision of Sussex County, Delaware-In Georgia:*Cedar Creek , former name for Vickery Creek, a tributary of the Chattahoochee River-In Indiana:...
overflowed its banks and homes in low-lying areas of Abilene, Texas
Abilene, Texas
Abilene is a city in Taylor and Jones counties in west central Texas. The population was 117,063 at the 2010 census. It is the principal city of the Abilene Metropolitan Statistical Area, which had a 2006 estimated population of 158,063. It is the county seat of Taylor County...
were covered in 6 ft (1.8 m) of water. In Gainesville
Gainesville, Texas
Gainesville is a city in and the county seat of Cooke County, Texas, United States. The population was 15,538 at the 2000 census.-History:...
, floodwaters swept a train off its track and an elephant was killed in a local zoo
Zoo
A zoological garden, zoological park, menagerie, or zoo is a facility in which animals are confined within enclosures, displayed to the public, and in which they may also be bred....
. In the same area, 200 people were evacuated due to the flooding.
Waco
Waco, Texas
Waco is a city in and the county seat of McLennan County, Texas. Situated along the Brazos River and on the I-35 corridor, halfway between Dallas and Austin, it is the economic, cultural, and academic center of the 'Heart of Texas' region....
reported power losses for two hours and $2.8 million (1981 USD) in damage for churches and businesses. In Oklahoma, 60 bridges were washed away due to flooding, but no injures or deaths were reported. In addition, a tornado struck a small town, causing minor damage to farms. The town of Bells
Bells, Texas
Bells is a town in Grayson County, Texas, United States. The population was 1,190 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Sherman–Denison Metropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:Bells is located at ....
reported winds of 75 mph (120.7 km/h). Total damage in Texas
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
was estimated at $50 million (1981 USD).
Across Texas, 13 in (330.2 mm) fell between Bridgeport and Denton and up to 20 in (508 mm) fell in areas near Abilene and Gainesville. The storm produced 17.9 in (454.7 mm) of rain in a three-day period, thus causing Madill
Madill, Oklahoma
Madill is a city in Marshall County, Oklahoma, United States. The city was founded in 1901 and is named for George Alexander Madill, an attorney for the St. Louis-San Francisco Railway, popularly known as the Frisco. The 2009 population estimate was 3,781...
to have its wettest October on record. In addition, 20.1 inches (510.5 mm) of rain fell in Breckenridge, Texas
Breckenridge, Texas
Breckenridge is a city in Stephens County, Texas, United States. The population was 5,868 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Stephens County...
. In eastern Kansas
Kansas
Kansas is a US state located in the Midwestern United States. It is named after the Kansas River which flows through it, which in turn was named after the Kansa Native American tribe, which inhabited the area. The tribe's name is often said to mean "people of the wind" or "people of the south...
light rain fell, including 0.7 in (17.8 mm) near Perry Lake within a 24 hour period.
Due to the damage from the hurricane in the United States, the Salvation Army
Salvation Army
The Salvation Army is a Protestant Christian church known for its thrift stores and charity work. It is an international movement that currently works in over a hundred countries....
disaster units were sent throughout the devastated area. To prevent looting, residents in Breckenridge organized watches; the National Guard soon patrolled the streets. In Abilene, the United States Red Cross worked to feed the homeless and supply them with drinking water until city water services was restored.
See also
- List of Pacific hurricanes
- List of Texas hurricanes