October 1983 Southwest United States floods
Encyclopedia
October 1983 Southwest United States floods was a flood that most significantly impacted Arizona
and New Mexico
. It occurred through the interaction of the remnants of Pacific tropical storm Octave, as well as a stalled low pressure area
off the west coast of California. The combination contributed to torrential rainfall in Arizona, triggering widespread flooding. A total of thirteen fatalities was reported due to the floods, and damage amounted to $500 million (1983 USD
). Heavy rainfall was also reported in Mexico
.
off the coast of California drawing the thunderstorms northeastward. By September 30 Octave was accelerating to the northeast, steadily weakening due to cooler waters and higher wind shear
. That day it weakened to tropical depression status, and on October 1 a steady rainfall developed across southeastern Arizona. Octave eventually dissipated on October 2 off the west coast of Mexico, the same day that the heaviest rainfall ended.
In Arizona, the highest rainfall associated with the event was 12 in (304.8 mm) at Mount Graham
. Elsewhere, Nogales
reported 9.83 in (249.7 mm), portions of Tucson
received over 8 in (200 mm), and Mount Lemmon
experienced 10.45 in (265.4 mm). In Tucson, flood waters reportedly reached 8 ft (2.4 m), stranding hundreds of people on rooftops. Throughout the state, excessive rainfall caused many rivers to overflow. Water releases from the Coolidge Dam forced 75 residences to evacuate. After the rainfall ended, the Santa Cruz, Rillito, and Gila
rivers experienced their highest crests
on record.
The Mohave and Yavapai counties were particularly hard-hit. A relief helicopter crashed in attempt to rescue a woman and her baby, killing its two crew members. Five towns – Clifton
, Duncan
, Wilkleman, Hayden
, and Marana
– were all almost entirely flooded. Authorities were forced to close Interstate 10
when the Gila River destroyed a bridge. Damage to roads and highways in the Tucson area surpassed $10 million (1983 USD, $ USD)). The flooding destroyed or heavily damaged 1,300 houses, and overall about 10,000 people were left temporarily homeless. Across the state, the floods killed 13 people and injured hundreds more. Damage in Arizona totaled $500 million (1983 USD, $ USD).
On October 3, Governor Bruce Babbitt
declared a state of emergency. Concerns arose regarding the state of several areas and possible disruptions in the delivery of food and other supplies. President Ronald Reagan
declared Arizona counties Cochise, Gila, Graham
, Greenlee, Pima, Pinal, Santa Cruz
and Yavapai a "major disaster area" on October 5.
The rainfall affected areas outside of Arizona. In New Mexico
, a peak total of 5.42 in (137.7 mm) was recorded. In that state, the rainfall also caused flooding that forced people from their homes and damaged a portion of U.S. Route 180
. New Mexico governor Toney Anaya
declared a state of emergency in Catron County
. Rainfall was also reported in California
, but that was mostly due to an upper-level low. In Mexico, 12 in (304.8 mm) was reported in Altar, while lighter totals between 1–3 in (25–75 mm) were reported along the Baja California peninsula
. Along the Mexican Riviera
, there were isolated reports of 1 in (25.4 mm).
Arizona
Arizona ; is a state located in the southwestern region of the United States. It is also part of the western United States and the mountain west. The capital and largest city is Phoenix...
and New Mexico
New Mexico
New Mexico is a state located in the southwest and western regions of the United States. New Mexico is also usually considered one of the Mountain States. With a population density of 16 per square mile, New Mexico is the sixth-most sparsely inhabited U.S...
. It occurred through the interaction of the remnants of Pacific tropical storm Octave, as well as a stalled low pressure area
Low pressure area
A low-pressure area, or "low", is a region where the atmospheric pressure at sea level is below that of surrounding locations. Low-pressure systems form under areas of wind divergence which occur in upper levels of the troposphere. The formation process of a low-pressure area is known as...
off the west coast of California. The combination contributed to torrential rainfall in Arizona, triggering widespread flooding. A total of thirteen fatalities was reported due to the floods, and damage amounted to $500 million (1983 USD
United States dollar
The United States dollar , also referred to as the American dollar, is the official currency of the United States of America. It is divided into 100 smaller units called cents or pennies....
). Heavy rainfall was also reported 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...
.
Meteorological history
Well before to the start of the rainfall, much of Arizona was affected by a wet winter and subsequent monsoon season, leaving the grounds saturated and susceptible to flooding. The origins of the flooding were from Tropical Storm Octave, which formed on September 27 off the southwest coast of Mexico. With an area warm temperatures, it was able to quickly strengthen to peak winds of 50 mph (85 km/h). The next day, moisture from the storm began spreading across Mexico and the southwest United States, due to a stalled low pressure areaLow pressure area
A low-pressure area, or "low", is a region where the atmospheric pressure at sea level is below that of surrounding locations. Low-pressure systems form under areas of wind divergence which occur in upper levels of the troposphere. The formation process of a low-pressure area is known as...
off the coast of California drawing the thunderstorms northeastward. By September 30 Octave was accelerating to the northeast, steadily weakening due to cooler waters and higher wind shear
Wind shear
Wind shear, sometimes referred to as windshear or wind gradient, is a difference in wind speed and direction over a relatively short distance in the atmosphere...
. That day it weakened to tropical depression status, and on October 1 a steady rainfall developed across southeastern Arizona. Octave eventually dissipated on October 2 off the west coast of Mexico, the same day that the heaviest rainfall ended.
Preparations, impact, and aftermath
The rainfall event lasted for one week, from September 28 to October 4. Due to the threat for flooding, local flood warnings were issued for much of Arizona.In Arizona, the highest rainfall associated with the event was 12 in (304.8 mm) at Mount Graham
Mount Graham
Mount Graham is a mountain in southeastern Arizona in the United States, in the Coronado National Forest. It is the highest mountain in the Pinaleño Mountains. As the name "Mount Graham" is often used by locals to refer to the entire mountain range, the peak itself is frequently referred to as...
. Elsewhere, Nogales
Nogales, Arizona
Nogales is a city in Santa Cruz County, Arizona, United States. The population was 21,017 at the 2010 census. According to 2005 Census Bureau estimates, the population of the city is 20,833. The city is the county seat of Santa Cruz County....
reported 9.83 in (249.7 mm), portions of Tucson
Tucson, Arizona
Tucson is a city in and the county seat of Pima County, Arizona, United States. The city is located 118 miles southeast of Phoenix and 60 miles north of the U.S.-Mexico border. The 2010 United States Census puts the city's population at 520,116 with a metropolitan area population at 1,020,200...
received over 8 in (200 mm), and Mount Lemmon
Mount Lemmon
Mount Lemmon is in the Santa Catalina Mountains located in the Coronado National Forest north of Tucson, Arizona, United States. It is above sea-level, and receives approximately 180 inches of snow annually. Mount Lemmon was named in honor of botanist Sarah Lemmon, who trekked to the top of...
experienced 10.45 in (265.4 mm). In Tucson, flood waters reportedly reached 8 ft (2.4 m), stranding hundreds of people on rooftops. Throughout the state, excessive rainfall caused many rivers to overflow. Water releases from the Coolidge Dam forced 75 residences to evacuate. After the rainfall ended, the Santa Cruz, Rillito, and Gila
Gila River
The Gila River is a tributary of the Colorado River, 650 miles long, in the southwestern states of New Mexico and Arizona.-Description:...
rivers experienced their highest crests
Crest (hydrology)
In hydrology, crest is the highest level above a certain point that a river will reach in a certain amount of time. This term is usually limited to a flooding event and from ground level ....
on record.
The Mohave and Yavapai counties were particularly hard-hit. A relief helicopter crashed in attempt to rescue a woman and her baby, killing its two crew members. Five towns – Clifton
Clifton, Arizona
Clifton is a town in and the county seat of Greenlee County, Arizona, United States, along the San Francisco River. The population of the town was 3,311 at the 2010 census. It was a site of the Arizona Copper Mine Strike of 1983....
, Duncan
Duncan, Arizona
Duncan is a town in Greenlee County, Arizona, United States. According to 2006 Census Bureau estimates, the population of the town is 713. It is part of the Safford Micropolitan Statistical Area. Duncan is at the juncture of the Gila River and the Arizona-New Mexico state border...
, Wilkleman, Hayden
Hayden, Arizona
Hayden is a town in Gila and Pinal counties in the U.S. state of Arizona. According to 2006 Census Bureau estimates, the population of the town is 843...
, and Marana
Marana, Arizona
Marana is a town in Pima County, Arizona, located northwest of Tucson, with a small portion in Pinal County. According to the 2010 census, the population of the town is 34,961...
– were all almost entirely flooded. Authorities were forced to close Interstate 10
Interstate 10
Interstate 10 is the fourth-longest Interstate Highway in the United States, after I-90, I-80, and I-40. It is the southernmost east–west, coast-to-coast Interstate Highway, although I-4 and I-8 are further south. It stretches from the Pacific Ocean at State Route 1 in Santa Monica,...
when the Gila River destroyed a bridge. Damage to roads and highways in the Tucson area surpassed $10 million (1983 USD, $ USD)). The flooding destroyed or heavily damaged 1,300 houses, and overall about 10,000 people were left temporarily homeless. Across the state, the floods killed 13 people and injured hundreds more. Damage in Arizona totaled $500 million (1983 USD, $ USD).
On October 3, Governor Bruce Babbitt
Bruce Babbitt
Bruce Edward Babbitt , a Democrat, served as United States Secretary of the Interior and as the 16th governor of Arizona, from 1978 to 1987.-Biography:...
declared a state of emergency. Concerns arose regarding the state of several areas and possible disruptions in the delivery of food and other supplies. President Ronald Reagan
Ronald Reagan
Ronald Wilson Reagan was the 40th President of the United States , the 33rd Governor of California and, prior to that, a radio, film and television actor....
declared Arizona counties Cochise, Gila, Graham
Graham County, Arizona
-2010:Whereas according to the 2010 U.S. Census Bureau:*72.1% White*1.8% Black*14.4% Native American*0.5% Asian*0.1% Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander*2.8% Two or more races*8.3% Other races*30.4% Hispanic or Latino -2000:...
, Greenlee, Pima, Pinal, Santa Cruz
Santa Cruz County, Arizona
-2010:Whereas according to the 2010 U.S. Census Bureau:*73.5% White*0.4% Black*0.7% Native American*0.5% Asian*0.0% Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander*2.0% Two or more races*22.9% Other races*82.8% Hispanic or Latino -2000:...
and Yavapai a "major disaster area" on October 5.
The rainfall affected areas outside of Arizona. In New Mexico
New Mexico
New Mexico is a state located in the southwest and western regions of the United States. New Mexico is also usually considered one of the Mountain States. With a population density of 16 per square mile, New Mexico is the sixth-most sparsely inhabited U.S...
, a peak total of 5.42 in (137.7 mm) was recorded. In that state, the rainfall also caused flooding that forced people from their homes and damaged a portion of U.S. Route 180
U.S. Route 180
U.S. Route 180 is an east–west United States highway. Like many three-digit routes, US 180 no longer meets its "parent", US 80. US 80 was decommissioned west of Mesquite, Texas, and was replaced in Texas by Interstate 20 and Interstate 10. The highway's eastern terminus is in Hudson Oaks,...
. New Mexico governor Toney Anaya
Toney Anaya
Toney Anaya is a U.S. Democratic politician who was born in Moriarty, New Mexico. He went to undergraduate school at Georgetown University and graduated with a law degree from American University's Washington College of Law in 1967...
declared a state of emergency in Catron County
Catron County, New Mexico
-2010:Whereas according to the 2010 U.S. Census Bureau:*89.8% White*0.4% Black*2.7% Native American*0.2% Asian*0.0% Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander*3.1% Two or more races*3.7% Other races*19.0% Hispanic or Latino -2000:...
. Rainfall was also reported in California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
, but that was mostly due to an upper-level low. In Mexico, 12 in (304.8 mm) was reported in Altar, while lighter totals between 1–3 in (25–75 mm) were reported along the Baja California peninsula
Baja California Peninsula
The Baja California peninsula , is a peninsula in northwestern Mexico. Its land mass separates the Pacific Ocean from the Gulf of California. The Peninsula extends from Mexicali, Baja California in the north to Cabo San Lucas, Baja California Sur in the south.The total area of the Baja California...
. Along the Mexican Riviera
Mexican Riviera
The Mexican Riviera refers collectively to twenty cities and lagoons lying on the western coast of Mexico. Although there are long distances between these cities, they are often referred to as the Mexican Riviera because of their popularity among tourists. Cruise ships often visit three or four of...
, there were isolated reports of 1 in (25.4 mm).
See also
- List of Arizona hurricanes
- Floods in the United States: 1901–2000
- 1983 Pacific hurricane season1983 Pacific hurricane seasonThe 1983 Pacific hurricane season officially started May 15, 1983 in the eastern Pacific, and June 1, 1983 in the central Pacific, and lasted until November 30, 1983. These dates conventionally delimit the period of each year when most tropical cyclones form in the northeastern Pacific Ocean.This...