View source for Hurricane Paul

{{Short description|Category 2 Pacific hurricane in 1982}}
{{Good article}}
{{For|other storms of the same name|List of storms named Paul}}
{{Infobox weather event
| image = Paul 1982-09-29 1600Z.png
| caption = Hurricane Paul at peak intensity prior to landfall on the [[Baja Peninsula]] on September 28
| formed = September 18, 1982
| dissipated = September 30, 1982
}}{{Infobox weather event/NWS
| winds = 95
| pressure = 
}}{{Infobox weather event/Effects
| year = 1982
| fatalities = 1,625 total<br/><small>(Second deadliest East Pacific hurricane)</small>
| missing = 668
| damage = 520000000
| areas = [[Guatemala]], [[El Salvador]], [[Baja California]], Northwest Mexico, United States
}}{{Infobox weather event/Footer
| season = [[1982 Pacific hurricane season]]
}}
'''Hurricane Paul''' was a devastating [[tropical cyclone]] which killed a total of 1,625 people and caused [[United States Dollar|US$]]520&nbsp;million in damage, ranking it as the second deadliest [[Pacific hurricane]] on record, behind the [[1959 Mexico hurricane|1959 Mexico Hurricane]]. The sixteenth [[Tropical cyclone naming|named storm]] and tenth hurricane of the [[1982 Pacific hurricane season]], Paul developed as a tropical depression just offshore Central America on September 18. The depression briefly moved inland two days later just before heading westward out to sea. The storm changed little in strength for several days until September 25, when it slowly intensified into a tropical storm. Two days later, Paul attained hurricane status, and further strengthened to [[Saffir&ndash;Simpson Hurricane Scale#Category 2|Category 2 intensity]] after turning northward. The hurricane then accelerated toward the northeast, reaching peak winds of 110&nbsp;mph (175&nbsp;km/h). Paul made landfall over [[Baja California Sur]] on September 29, and subsequently moved ashore in [[Sinaloa]] the next day.
 
Prior to making landfall near the [[El Salvador]]&ndash;[[Guatemala]] border as a tropical depression, the precursor disturbance dropped heavy rainfall over the region, which later continued after landfall. Many rivers in the region burst their banks after five days of rainfall, causing severe flooding and multiple mudslides. Throughout Central America, at least 1,363&nbsp;people were killed, with most of the fatalities occurring in El Salvador, although some occurred in Guatemala. Another 225&nbsp;deaths were attributed to floods from the depression in southern Mexico. In addition, Paul was responsible for  24&nbsp;fatalities and moderate damage in northwestern Mexico, where it made landfall at hurricane strength. Despite the catastrophic damage and loss of life caused by the storm, the name ''Paul'' was not retired following the season.

==Meteorological history==
{{storm path|Paul 1982 track.png}}
The precursor disturbance to Paul originated from an area of [[Low-pressure area|low barometric pressure]] and disorganized [[thunderstorm]]s, which was first noted near the Pacific coast of Honduras on September&nbsp;15. Several days later, [[Weather satellite|satellite imagery]] indicated it had developed a center of [[cyclone|cyclonic circulation]]; on 1800 [[UTC]] September 20, the [[Eastern Pacific Hurricane Center]] initiated advisories on the system and classified it as Tropical Depression Twenty-Two. At that time, it was located {{convert|200|mi|km|abbr=on|round=5}} southwest of [[Tegucigalpa, Honduras]] and supported winds of 35&nbsp;mph (50&nbsp;km/h). The depression turned northward in response to a weak [[Tropical cyclone#Steering winds|steering flow]] between two [[high pressure]] systems&mdash;one near [[Cabo San Lucas]] and the other west of Central America. It then moved inland near the El Salvador&ndash;Guatemala border, and dissipated overland.<ref name=MWR />

Under the influence of a persistent stationary [[trough (meteorology)|trough]] near [[California]], the remains of the depression retraced westward back over the open waters of the Pacific. Advisories on the system were resumed late on September&nbsp;20. Though it was reconsidered a tropical cyclone, its wind circulation was poorly defined; the depression again degenerated into an open trough at 0000 UTC September 22. Its forward motion remained relatively unchanged for several days, and by September 24 the system was reclassified as a [[tropical cyclone]]. After briefly drifting northward, the system began tracking toward the west-northwest. It gradually organized into a tropical storm at 0000 UTC September 25. Since it was then situated over favorable [[sea surface temperature]]s between {{convert|28|C|F|abbr=on}} and {{convert|29|C|F|abbr=on}}, Paul underwent a phase of [[rapid deepening|rapid intensification]]. This allowed it to reach [[Saffir–Simpson Hurricane Scale#Category 1|Category 1 hurricane]] strength on the [[Saffir-Simpson hurricane wind scale]] (SSHWS) just two days after its naming.<ref name="MWR">{{cite journal|last=Gunther|first=Emil B.|author2=R.L. Cross|author3=R. A. Wagoner|title=Eastern North Pacific Tropical Cyclones of 1982|journal=Monthly Weather Review|date=May 1983|volume=111|issue=5|pages=1080–1102|doi=10.1175/1520-0493(1983)111<1080:ENPTCO>2.0.CO;2 |bibcode = 1983MWRv..111.1080G |doi-access=free}}</ref>

Upon becoming a hurricane, Paul turned to the north and continued to develop.<ref name=MWR /> As the storm neared [[Baja California Sur]], it reached Category 2 intensity.{{EPAC hurricane best track}} An [[Tropical upper tropospheric trough|upper-level trough]] forced the hurricane to accelerate towards the northeast, at which point it had reached peak wind speeds of 110&nbsp;mph (180&nbsp;km/h). From 1800 to 2100 UTC on September 29, the [[eye (cyclone)|eye]] of the hurricane made landfall along Baja California Sur, moving ashore less than {{convert|100|mi|km|abbr=on|round=5}} south of [[La Paz, Baja California Sur|La Paz]] near San José del Cabo. After weakening slightly inland, Paul briefly reemerged over water and subsequently made its final landfall near [[Los Mochis]], [[Sinaloa]] with winds of 100&nbsp;mph (165&nbsp;km/h).<ref name=MWR /> Tropical cyclone advisories were discontinued shortly thereafter,{{EPAC hurricane best track}} though exact information on the storm after it moved inland is unavailable due to a lack of data completion in the [[HURDAT|hurricane database]].{{Tropical Cyclones of the Eastern North Pacific Basin, 1949-2006}}

==Preparations==
[[File:Hurricane Paul 1982.jpg|thumb|right|Hurricane Paul after landfall.]]
An [[tropical cyclone warnings and watches|alert]] was issued for the Mexican states of [[Sonora]] and Sinaloa and [[Baja California Sur]]; army and navy units were on standby in case of an emergency.<ref name=HPLM>{{cite news|title=Hurricane Paul lashes Mexico|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=iwAhAAAAIBAJ&sjid=JXUFAAAAIBAJ&pg=4482,5489229&dq=hurricane+evacuations+mexico&hl=en|access-date=August 5, 2011|newspaper=The Day|date=September 29, 1982}}</ref> Roughly 50,000 people evacuated to storm shelters<ref name="50,000 EAHHM">{{cite news|title=Five die, 50,000 evacuate as hurricane hits Mexico|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=nhBWAAAAIBAJ&sjid=POIDAAAAIBAJ&pg=5443,7188969&dq=hurricane+evacuations+mexico&hl=en|date=September 30, 1982|access-date=August 5, 2011|newspaper=Eugene Register-Guard}}</ref> and thousands of others sought refuge in public buildings, such as schools and churches.<ref name=HHMX5D>{{cite news|title=Hurricane Hits Mexico; 5 Dead|url=https://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/latimes/access/670072092.html?dids=670072092:670072092&FMT=CITE&FMTS=CITE:AI&type=historic&date=Sep+30%2C+1982&author=&pub=Los+Angeles+Times&desc=Hurricane+Hits+Mexico%3B+5+Dead&pqatl=google|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121107162810/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/latimes/access/670072092.html?dids=670072092:670072092&FMT=CITE&FMTS=CITE:AI&type=historic&date=Sep+30,+1982&author=&pub=Los+Angeles+Times&desc=Hurricane+Hits+Mexico%3B+5+Dead&pqatl=google|url-status=dead|archive-date=November 7, 2012|access-date=August 5, 2011|newspaper=L.A. Times|date=September 30, 1982}}</ref> Across [[La Paz, Baja California Sur|La Paz]], officials evacuated 3,000 families from hurricane-prone areas.<ref name=HHSCOM>{{cite news|title=Hurricane Hit Southern Coast of Mexico|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=7FciAAAAIBAJ&sjid=mqcFAAAAIBAJ&pg=6157,6408242&dq=hurricane+baja+california&hl=en|access-date=August 6, 2011|newspaper=Reading Eagle|date=September 29, 1982}}</ref> In the towns of Altata and Guamúchil alone, army officials evacuated 5,000 coastal residents.<ref name=HC5IMXS>{{cite news|title=Hurricane claims 5 in Mexican sweep|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=DhUsAAAAIBAJ&sjid=q8gEAAAAIBAJ&pg=1559,7118460&dq=hurricane+evacuations+mexico&hl=en|access-date=August 5, 2011|newspaper=Times Daily|date=September 30, 1982}}</ref>

==Impact==
===El Salvador===
{{Deadliest Pacific hurricanes|align=left}}
The tropical depression that later became Paul produced the worst [[natural disaster]] in [[History of El Salvador|El Salvador history]] since 1965.<ref name=MWR /> Although the death toll was initially believed to be lower<ref name=MWR /><ref name=ESDTH565AMNF /><ref name=5DT>{{cite news|title=5 day toll in El Salvador, 630 killed, crops, destroyed|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=EtMhAAAAIBAJ&sjid=dJ8FAAAAIBAJ&pg=1469,3379422&dq=el+salvador+flood&hl=en|accessdate=August 5, 2011|newspaper=Anchorage Daily Times|date=September 23, 1982}}</ref><!-- defined by Template:Costliest Pacific hurricanes --> it rose to a final toll of 761 after new victims were confirmed on September 28.<ref>{{cite news|title=More Flood Victims found|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=HO4vAAAAIBAJ&sjid=5e4DAAAAIBAJ&pg=2090,5185253&dq=el+salvador+flood&hl=en|access-date=August 5, 2011|newspaper=The Spokesman-Review|date=September 28, 1982}}</ref> Of these deaths, 312 occurred in the capital city of [[San Salvador]],<ref name=ESDTH565AMNF /> which had also sustained the worst damage.<ref name=TC>{{cite news|title=Salvador Flood total 565|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=Q69OAAAAIBAJ&sjid=qkwDAAAAIBAJ&pg=3978,1318624&dq=el+salvador+flood&hl=en|access-date=August 5, 2011|newspaper=The Courier|date=September 23, 1982}}</ref> Another 40 people perished in Actoo, a very small village located {{convert|42|mi|km|abbr=on}} west of San Salvador.<ref name=ESDTH565AMNF>{{cite news|title=El Salvador Death Toll hits 565 as more bodies found|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=KQAzAAAAIBAJ&sjid=5wUEAAAAIBAJ&pg=5281,3506099&dq=el+salvador+flood&hl=en|access-date=August 5, 2011|date=September 22, 1982}}</ref> Rescue workers searched through [[Rock (geology)|rock]]s and [[mud]] to find missing victims.<ref name="DTETH500ISFD">{{cite news|title=Death toll expected to hit 500 in Salvador flood disaster|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=UzcpAAAAIBAJ&sjid=H4MDAAAAIBAJ&pg=6986,5499711&dq=el+salvador+flood&hl=en|access-date=August 5, 2011|newspaper=The Deseret News|date=September 21, 1982}}</ref> About 25,000&ndash;30,000 people were left homeless.<ref name=MWR /> Much of San Salvador was submerged by flood waters of up to {{convert|8|ft|m|abbr=on}} high, and even after their recession hundreds of homes remained buried under trees, debris, and {{convert|10|ft|m|abbr=on}} of mud.<ref name=MWR /><ref name=ESDTH565AMNF /> In all, property damage from the storm amounted to $100&nbsp;million in the country;<ref name=ESDTH565AMNF /> while crop damage amounted to $250&nbsp;million.<ref name=5DT /><!-- defined by Template:Costliest Pacific hurricanes -->

===Guatemala, and southern Mexico===
In Guatemala, widespread catastrophic floods claimed 615 lives and left 668 others missing. More than 10,000 people were left homeless in the wake of the disaster.<ref>{{cite news|agency=Associated Press|work=The Spokesman-Review|date=September 28, 1982|access-date=August 18, 2011|title=More flood victims found|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=HO4vAAAAIBAJ&sjid=5e4DAAAAIBAJ&dq=guatemala%20flood&pg=2090%2C5185253|page=12}}</ref> According to the highway department, the storm destroyed 16 bridges which left 200 communities isolated from surrounding areas.<ref>{{cite news|title=Death from Salvadoran flood exceeds 1,200|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=E9MhAAAAIBAJ&sjid=dJ8FAAAAIBAJ&pg=1719,3824798&dq=guatemala+floods&hl=en|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120713045225/http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=E9MhAAAAIBAJ&sjid=dJ8FAAAAIBAJ&pg=1719,3824798&dq=guatemala+floods&hl=en|url-status=dead|archive-date=July 13, 2012|access-date=August 5, 2011|newspaper=Anchorage Daily News|date=September 24, 1982}}</ref> Overall, economic losses of $100&nbsp;million (1982&nbsp;USD) were reported in the country.<ref name=PW>{{cite web|publisher=Prevention Web|year=2008|accessdate=April 12, 2010|title=Guatemala - Disaster Statistics|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110722034729/http://www.preventionweb.net/english/countries/statistics/?cid=70|archivedate=July 22, 2011|url=http://www.preventionweb.net/english/countries/statistics/?cid=70}}</ref><!-- defined by template:Costliest Pacific hurricanes --> Throughout southern Mexico, floods from the precursor depression to Paul killed another 225 people.<ref>{{cite web|publisher=Prevention Web|year=2008|access-date=April 12, 2010|title=Mexico - Disaster Statistics|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110722034654/http://www.preventionweb.net/english/countries/statistics/?cid=112|archive-date=July 22, 2011|url=http://www.preventionweb.net/english/countries/statistics/?cid=112}}</ref>

===Baja California Sur===
Hurricane Paul produced heavy rainfall along its path through Baja California Sur. At least 85 homes in [[La Paz, Baja California Sur|La Paz]] sustained damage, and many telephone lines in the region were down at the height of the storm.<ref name=HHSCOM /> Wind gusts estimated at 120&nbsp;mph (195&nbsp;km/h) swept through [[San José del Cabo]], causing property damage and subsequently leaving 9,000 homeless.<ref name=MWR /> Despite the damage, no deaths were reported in the wake of Paul.<ref name=HHBC>{{cite news|title=Hurricane hits Baja California|url=https://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/latimes/access/669189872.html?dids=669189872:669189872&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:AI&type=historic&date=Oct+01%2C+1982&author=&pub=Los+Angeles+Times&desc=Hurricane+Hits+Baja+California&pqatl=google|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121107162828/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/latimes/access/669189872.html?dids=669189872:669189872&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:AI&type=historic&date=Oct+01,+1982&author=&pub=Los+Angeles+Times&desc=Hurricane+Hits+Baja+California&pqatl=google|url-status=dead|archive-date=November 7, 2012|access-date=August 6, 2011|newspaper=L.A. Times|date=October 1, 1982}}</ref>

===Northwest Mexico and southwest United States===
Upon making its final landfall in [[Sinaloa]], Paul produced hurricane-force winds recorded at 100&nbsp;mph (160&nbsp;km/h) in [[Los Mochis]]. The winds demolished numerous homes in the region, leaving 140,000 residents homeless and another 400,000 people isolated.<ref name=MS>{{cite news|title=Mexican state|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=25ZUAAAAIBAJ&sjid=T48DAAAAIBAJ&pg=4554,149143&dq=hurricane+paul&hl=en|access-date=August 11, 2011|newspaper=Ellensburg Daily Record|date=October 2, 1982}}</ref> The greatest damage occurred 70&nbsp;miles (110&nbsp;km) south of Los Mochis in the city of [[Guamuchil]];<ref name=MWR /> some houses suffered total destruction, while many other had their roof blown off. A total of 24 people were killed by the storm, although it produced beneficial rains over the region.<ref name="24KFH" />

The worst flooding occurred near the Rio Sinaloa; {{convert|7.9|in|mm|abbr=on}} to {{convert|12|in|mm|abbr=on}} of rain fell in some locations. Over 25,000 homes were damaged.<ref>{{cite web|title=Adverse meteorological phenomena 3.2.2 KEY IN THE LAST 20 YEARS|url=https://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&sl=es&u=http://www.eclac.org/mexico/publicaciones/sinsigla/xml/5/8385/doc2.pdf&ei=RLmgTq3QII6gsQLs_NyJBQ&sa=X&oi=translate&ct=result&resnum=3&ved=0CEUQ7gEwAg&prev=/search%3Fq%3Dhurricane%2Bpaul%2B1982%26hl%3Den%26lr%3Dlang_es%26client%3Dfirefox-a%26hs%3Dw5i%26rls%3Dorg.mozilla:en-US:official%26biw%3D1252%26bih%3D548%26tbs%3Dlr:lang_1es%26prmd%3Dimvns|publisher=Elac|access-date=October 21, 2011|format=PDF}}</ref> Agricultural damage was severe in the state of Sinaloa, with up to 40 percent of the [[soybean]] crop destroyed. Sugar cane, tomato, and rice crops also sustained damage from the hurricane, and in its wake the state's corn production was down by 26 percent from the previous year. Total storm damage in Mexico amounted to $4.5&nbsp;billion (1982 [[Mexican peso|MXN]]; $70 million [[USD]]).<ref name=MWR />

The remnants of Paul moved into the United States, producing heavy rainfall in southern [[New Mexico]] and extreme West [[Texas]]. Inclement weather was observed as far inland as the [[Great Plains]].<ref name=SHT>{{cite news|title=Local National International|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=zBgiAAAAIBAJ&sjid=P2gEAAAAIBAJ&pg=6801,19957&dq=hurricane+paul&hl=en|access-date=August 11, 2011|newspaper=Sarasota Herald-Tribune|date=September 1, 1982}}</ref> A combination of rain and snow moved into [[Colorado]]; {{convert|6|in|mm|abbr=on}} of snow was expected in [[Wyoming]], thus [[winter storm warning]]s were required for parts of the state.<ref name=CWFBHP>{{cite news|title=Chilly weather follows behind Hurricane Paul|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=uRZSAAAAIBAJ&sjid=QDUNAAAAIBAJ&pg=3237,38017&dq=hurricane+paul&hl=en|access-date=August 11, 2011|newspaper=The Albany Herald|date=October 1, 1982}}</ref>

== Aftermath ==
In the aftermath of the storm, the Government of El Salvador was criticized for failing to keep the public well informed. It provided over $300,000 in aid and declared a [[state of emergency]];<ref name="ESDTH565AMNF" /><ref name="DTETH500ISFD" /> additionally, a state of mourning was declared.<ref name="ESIM">{{cite news|title=El Salvador in Mouring|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=QX8xAAAAIBAJ&sjid=C6UFAAAAIBAJ&pg=1947,1459151&dq=guatemala+floods&hl=en|access-date=August 5, 2011|date=September 25, 1982}}</ref> The [[United Nations|United Nations World Food program]] began distributing food set aside for victims of the [[El Salvador Civil War]].<ref name="DTFFIESR232">{{cite news|title=Latest death toll from Flooding in El Salvador reaches 232|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=X7FdAAAAIBAJ&sjid=2F0NAAAAIBAJ&pg=2888,5046441&dq=el+salvador+flood&hl=en|access-date=August 5, 2011|newspaper=Williamson Daily News|date=September 21, 1982}}</ref> The U.S. Embassy in Guatemala provided $25,000 in aid for the country.<ref name=LRUSDA>{{cite news|title=Latin Receive U.S. Disaster aid|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=Y-EhAAAAIBAJ&sjid=-V4EAAAAIBAJ&pg=7032,3400012&dq=guatemala+floods&hl=en|access-date=August 6, 2011|newspaper=Pittsburgh Press|date=September 22, 1982}}</ref> Mexican authorities rushed to supply food and water to the homeless.<ref>{{cite news|title=World news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=uz0uAAAAIBAJ&sjid=4dcFAAAAIBAJ&pg=816,2165216&dq=hurricane+paul&hl=en|access-date=August 11, 2011|newspaper=The Modest Bee|date=October 4, 1982|archive-date=June 2, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200602184709/https://news.google.com/topstories?hl=en-US&gl=US&ceid=US%3Aen%2F|url-status=dead}}</ref>

==See also==
{{Portal|Tropical cyclones}}
* [[List of Category 2 Pacific hurricanes]]
* [[List of the deadliest tropical cyclones]]

==Notes==
{{reflist|group=nb}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

{{1982 Pacific hurricane season buttons}}

[[Category:1982 Pacific hurricane season|Paul]]
[[Category:Category 2 Pacific hurricanes|Paul 1982]]
[[Category:Hurricanes in Guatemala|Paul 1982]]
[[Category:Hurricanes in El Salvador|Paul 1982]]
[[Category:Pacific hurricanes in Mexico|Paul 1982]]
[[Category:1982 in El Salvador]]
[[Category:Hurricanes and tropical depressions of the Gulf of California|Paul]]
[[Category:Tropical cyclones in 1982|Paul]]
[[Category:Hurricanes in Baja California Sur]]