Impact
In an average July, a high pressure system is located over Texas, preventing landfall in Mexico. However, a trough brought Calvin northward to hit Mexico as a hurricane in the month of July; one of only three tropical cyclones since HURDAT started keeping records. The other ones were Hurricane Eugene in 1987 and a storm in 1954.
Following Calvin's closest approach to Manzanillo, the Mexican Weather Service station in the city recorded a minimum barometric pressure of 986.5 mbar (29.13 inHg), as well as 84 mph (135 km/h) surface winds as the center of Calvin passed a little to the west. The Instituto Oceanografico del Pacifico in Manzanillo reported a minimum central pressure of 994 mbar (29.4 inHg). Only two other reports of tropical storm force winds were reported on the Mexican mainland, besides Manzanillo, were reported in associated with Calvin. In Calimo, sustained winds of 60 mph (97 km/h) were observed at 1300 UTC. Shortly thereafter, near 1545 UTC, sustained winds of 35 mph (56 km/h) with gusts up to 45 mph (72 km/h) were reported in the same location. Several ships reported rough weather during Calvin's existence, with the Pacific Sandpiper reporting a maximum wave height of 44 ft (13 m). In Acapulco, it is reported that waves in excess of 15 ft (4.6 m) moved through the city. In several states, between 5 in (130 mm) to 10 in (250 mm) inches of rain was recorded. However, in Las Pilas, the highest rainfall total was observed, at 16.34 in (415 mm).
Before hitting Mexico, Calvin's large wind field brought heavy flooding, and after passing as a hurricane, locations reported as high as 18 inches (460 mm) of rain. The flooding led to mudslides, killing 30 people on land, with 30,000 people displaced. Most of the casualties were due to flooding or car accidents on wet roads. In the state of Michoacán, 700 homes were destroyed, as well as a bridge, highways, and water systems. In addition, heavy waves from the center led to a 15-foot (4.6 m) storm surge. Sea ports were closed and airplane flights were cancelled.
Two fatalities occurred offshore when a trimaran capsized. Damage occurred to boats and shoreline structures from Acapulco to Manzanillo. Dozens of seaside restaurant were washed off their foundation. Banana, mango, and corn plantations were destroyed by strong winds. Coconut trees fell.
Calvin is blamed for the death of 34, which includes both direct and indirect. Most of the fatalities came from heavy rainfall associated with the system. A state of emergency was declared in at least ten states in Mexico following Calvin's passage, and the Mexican Defense Department said that 42,063 people were evacuated in eleven states. Additionally, at least 1,600 people were left homeless. Finally, rough seas near Lazaro Cardenas caused all 4,000 tons of sulfuric acid to leak aboard the previously beached cargo tanker, Betula. The cleanup effort took one month to complete.
In all, the total level of damage amounted to over 100 million new pesos, or $32 million (1993 USD, $42 million 2005 USD).
Read more about this topic: Hurricane Calvin (1993)
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