The 1943 Mazatlán hurricane was a powerful Pacific hurricane that struck the Mexican state of Sinaloa in October 1943. It originated off the Pacific coast of Mexico and became an intense hurricane, with maximum sustained winds of at least 136 miles per hour (219 km/h), equivalent to a Category 4 on the Saffir-Simpson scale. The hurricane made landfall just south of Mazatlán on October 9, becoming the strongest on record to strike the city. An observatory in the city recorded a minimum pressure of 958.6 millibars (28.31 inHg).
The hurricane severely damaged a 50 mi (80 km) portion of western Mexico, from Nayarit to Sinaloa. In Mazatlán, the communications severed due to the strong winds, and the city briefly relied on a single Pan Am plane that was carrying American filmmaker Walt Disney. The hurricane killed at least 100 people and left over 1,000 homeless. Total damage was estimated at $4.5 million (1943 USD).
On October 8, a tropical cyclone developed west of Mexico, between the Revillagigedo Islands and Islas Marías. Moving to the northeast, the system became a powerful hurricane before it moved ashore. At 15:30 UTC on 9 October, the hurricane made landfall just south of Mazatlán, in the Mexican state of Sinaloa. The Mazatlán Observatory recorded a minimum atmospheric pressure of 958.6 millibars (28.31 inHg), along with maximum sustained winds of 134 mph (216 km/h) over a period of 15 minutes, before the anemometer broke loose.[1] The wind speed is equivalent to a Category 4 on the Saffir-Simpson scale.[2] It was the strongest hurricane on record to strike the city.[3] Soon after moving ashore, the hurricane rapidly weakened, dissipating over the mountainous terrain of northwestern Mexico.[1] The remnants of the hurricane later moved through the Mexican state of Chihuahua, heading toward the southern United States.[4]
Effects
Known Pacific hurricanes that have killed at least 100 people
The hurricane struck Mazatlán with sustained winds of at least 134 mph (216 km/h), with little warning.[1][24] The hurricane produced little rainfall in the city, which recorded just 2 in (51 mm) of precipitation.[1] High waves lashed the coast, damaging homes and hotels along the waterfront.[25] Offshore, there were several fishing boats, as well as a Mexican Navy vessel caught in the storm, no trace reportedly was found; all persons aboard these vessels apparently died. A small coastal boat arrived in the port of Mazatlán after the storm and reported six crew members missing.[1] The hurricane destroyed about 60% of the buildings in Mazatlán, including 3,000 homes, with thousands left homeless in the city.[26][27][28] The storm also caused severe damage in nearby Villa Unión, with damage estimated at US$4.5 million. The hurricane killed at least 100 people.[1]
Shortly before the peak of the hurricane, Pan Am grounded all of their airlines. A plane from Los Angeles landed in Mazatlán and rode out the storm, with 21 passengers on board. The passengers included filmmaker Walt Disney, his family, and employees, who were headed to Mexico City for production on The Three Caballeros. After the storm, the plane was the only means of communicating with the rest of the world for about 18 hours, after the airport's radio towers were damaged. The storm also damaged all telephone or telegraph lines in the city, while also damaging the airport's hangar and administration building.[24][25][29] Throughout the state of Sinaloa, the storm overflowed rivers and destroyed warehouses, ruining most of the crops in the state.[30] The hurricane caused severe damage along a 50 mi (80 km) portion of the Mexican coastline, from Acaponeta, Nayarit northward to Mazatlán.[25] In Guadalajara, the hurricane tore the roofs of houses while also causing flooding. The city's power plant was shut down.[29] Storm damage disrupted train service for the Southern Pacific Transportation Company between Nogales and Guadalajara.[25] The storm damaged water systems, leaving people without potable water or sewage systems.[31]
Aftermath
Within a day of the hurricane, 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.[25] By two days after the hurricane's landfall, water access was restored at a limited capacity for only two hours a day.[32] By five days after the storm, officials had restored power and communications in the area. Around the same time, the president issued an appeal for public donations for storm victims.[33] Within a week, citizens sent large quantities of food, clothing, and medicine to the worst affected areas.[31] The President of Mexico personally visited Mazatlán with other officials, bringing aid in the form of medicine and clothing.[34] A group of Mexican Americans in California raised nearly $27,000 for relief efforts.[35]
^"Hurricane Sweeps Toward U.S. Border". Racine Journal-Times. Associated Press. October 12, 1943. p. 6. Retrieved September 10, 2024.(subscription required)
^Steve Jakubowski; Adityam Krovvidi; Adam Podlaha; Steve Bowen. "September 2013 Global Catasrophe Recap"(PDF). Impact Forecasting. AON Benefield. Retrieved October 25, 2013.
^Sumber, Howard C (January 4, 1944). "1943 Monthly Weather Review"(PDF). U.S. Weather Bureau. Archived(PDF) from the original on September 23, 2008. Retrieved September 7, 2008.
^"Mazatlan Hit By Tornado". Santa Fe New Mexican. Associated Press. October 11, 1943. p. 6. Retrieved September 8, 2024.(subscription required)
^"Mexico Seeks Storm Relief". United Press International. October 14, 1943. Retrieved September 10, 2024.(subscription required)
^"President Inspects Storm Destruction". El Paso Herald Post. United Press International. October 21, 1943. p. 14. Retrieved September 10, 2024.(subscription required)
