Hurricane Olivia (1982)

{{storm path|Olivia 1982 track.png}}

The origins of Hurricane Olivia can be traced back to a weather report from the cargo ship, Port Latta Maru, roughly 400 miles (650 km) south-southwest of Acapulco, Mexico. This reported stated that a tropical cyclone had formed in the area, around 18:00 UTC on September 18. The system moved gradually to the north-northwest while strengthening over warm waters. By 6:00 UTC on September 19, the cyclone was upgraded into a tropical storm, and was provided the name Olivia.{{Cite web|url=https://journals.ametsoc.org/downloadpdf/journals/mwre/111/5/1520-0493_1983_111_1080_enptco_2_0_co_2.pdf|title=Eastern North Pacific Tropical Cyclones of 1982|website=Monthly Weather Review|access-date=January 30, 2021}}

Olivia steadily strengthened while shifting to the northwest, over slightly warmer sea surface temperatures. At 6:00 UTC the next day, Olivia was upgraded into a Category 1 hurricane. Just a few hours later, the hurricane turned to the west-northwest, beneath the southern periphery of an upper-level high located over southern Baja California. Olivia continued to rapidly intensify, reaching its peak intensity as a Category 4 hurricane at 18:00 UTC on September 21, with 1-minute sustained winds of around 145 mph (230 km/h). At this time the storm also presented a well-defined eye. The hurricane then maintained its intensity for about 12 hours, before weakening ensued.

Olivia weakened over the next couple of days, while turning to the north-west along the western periphery of the upper-level high. The system was downgraded into a tropical storm at 18:00 UTC on September 23, while moving over cooler waters. Around this time, moisture from the storm was being carried across the Western United States and Southwestern Canada, by a strong southwesterly flow. This was also largely due to a whip-like effect by an upper-level low pressure area offshore California. Olivia weakened into a tropical depression while located about 500 miles (805 km) southwest of San Diego, California. The system was last noted as a dissipating surface low on September 25, while located roughly 250 miles (400 km) west-southwest of San Diego.{{Cite web|url=https://www.wpc.ncep.noaa.gov/tropical/rain/olivia1982.html|title=Remains of Olivia – September 23–28, 1982|website=Weather Prediction Center|access-date=January 30, 2021}}

A dam burst in the Sierra Madre Mountains, causing 6 inches (152.4 mm) of water to enter into Bishop Creek. Up to 1,400 residents were evacuated from their homes into the nearby town of Bishop. Tourists were trapped along the eastern slope of a mountain in the Sierra Nevada range during the storm. An additional 200 people were stranded at Kings Canyon National Park, after a 15-mile (25 km) stretch of California State Route 180 was washed out. A bridge along U.S. Route 395 in Big Pine was damaged. Lodging and businesses along the highway were evacuated due to floods.{{Cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/469286816/?terms=Flood&match=1|title=Twisters Twirl East, Floods Awash West|author=United Press International|website=The Daily Herald|date=September 27, 1982|access-date=January 30, 2021}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/390121909/?terms=Flood&match=1|title=8 Big Pine Homes Lost In Sierra Flood|author=John Kendall, Cathleen Decker|website=Los Angeles Times|date=September 27, 1982|access-date=January 30, 2021|via=Newspapers.com}}

In the Inland Empire, moisture from Olivia caused minimal damage. Numerous utility poles caught fire in the region. Slick roads caused a car accident in Yucaipa, causing one minor injury.{{Cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/702814785/?terms=Storm&match=1|title=City catches tail-end of wet tropical storm|author=Obrey Brown|website=Redlands Daily Facts|date=September 27, 1982|access-date=January 31, 2021|via=Newspapers.com}} In Malibu, stormy weather caused a plane to crash into hills at the Malibu Creek State Park, killing three people.{{Cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/680296163/?terms=Storm&match=1|title=Malibu storm causes plane crash, three killed|author=UPI|website=The Chico Enterprise-Record|date=September 27, 1982|access-date=January 31, 2021|via=Newspapers.com}} Olivia also caused stormy weather in San Bernardino County. In Calimesa, a telephone pole was struck by lightning. Roughly 1,150 customers of Southern California Edison lost electricity. The power outage affected companies such as Frito-Lay, the KDIG radio station, and a hotel. Power outages also trapped one person in an elevator in Ontario.{{Cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/64928743/?terms=Thunderstorms&match=1|title=Olivia departs area growling, spitting out hail|author=Jan-Christina Sears|website=The San Bernardino County Sun|date=September 28, 1982|access-date=January 31, 2021|via=Newspapers.com}}

Following the floods, California Governor Jerry Brown declared a state of emergency for the Big Pine area. This was done to allow federal loans and other assistance to be provided for the region. Search and rescue workers were able to save 20 campers and residents who were stranded along Big Pine Creek.{{Cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/681850706/?terms=Floods&match=1|title=Stranded Campers Airlifted|website=Oroville Mercury Register|date=September 29, 1982|access-date=March 13, 2021|via=Newspapers.com}} The flood in Big Pine was found to be caused by a dam collapse. An investigation was opened into the cause of the incident, but no explanation was discovered.{{Cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/680296507/?terms=Floods&match=1|title=Collapse of Bishop dam still a mystery|author=UPI|website=The Chico Enterprise-Record|date=September 29, 1982|access-date=March 13, 2021|via=Newspapers.com}}

Olivia caused millions of dollars worth of agricultural damage in California. In the state, half of the raisin crop, a quarter of the wine crop, and a tenth of the tomato crop were damaged. According to the California Farm Bureau Federation, up to $110 million (1982 USD) worth of almonds, beans, grapes, and melons could have been lost. Losses of the tomato crop were estimated to be between $30–40 million (1982 USD), while damage to raisin and wine crops reached $150 million (1982 USD). The California Farm Bureau Federation stated agricultural damages in the state could reach $450 million (1982 USD).{{Cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/681850496/?terms=Tropical%20Storm%20Olivia&match=1|title=Crop Losses May Reach $450 Million|author=John Rice|website=Associated Press, Oroville Mercury|date=September 28, 1982|access-date=January 31, 2021}} The Monthly Weather Review estimated crop damage to be around $325 million (1982 USD).

File:Olivia 1982 rainfall.gif

Ahead of the storm, a Flash flood watch was put in effect for parts of Utah on September 27.{{Cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/469286787/?terms=Flood&match=1|title=The Daily Herald – September 27, 1982|author=Josephine Zimmerman|website=The Daily Herald|date=September 27, 1982|access-date=January 30, 2021|via=Newspapers.com}} Flash flooding in Springdale swept mud and rocks through parts of the community. Rockslides forced the evacuation of campgrounds at Zion National Park.{{Cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/285222668/?terms=Flood&match=1|title=Flash flood inundates Springdale|author=Kris Dangerfield|website=The Daily Spectrum|date=September 27, 1982|access-date=January 30, 2021|via=Newspapers.com}} Several basements were flooded in Lehi. In Alpine, flooding isolated four houses. A mudslide was reported at the American Fork Canyon. Slick roads were reported at the Uinta and Wasatch National Forests, while a main road between several canyons was impassible.

Widespread floods occurred across the Salt Lake City metropolitan area. In Sandy, over 200 residences were inundated by floodwaters. Access to natural gas was shut off for a large number of homes in the area. Numerous bridges in the region were covered by water.{{Cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/613598308/?terms=Flood&match=1|title=Storm Slams Region; Flooding Widespread|website=The Salt Lake Tribune|date=September 27, 1982|access-date=January 30, 2021|via=Newspapers.com}} The Jordan River became swollen following heavy rainfall in Salt Lake County. Officials ordered off-duty crews and volunteers to sandbag streams and the Jordan River, to prevent further flooding. In Murray, roughly 75 families were evacuated to churches and United States National Guard armory. Police closed off several highways, including U.S. Route 89, which was flooded by mountain run-off to the north of Ogden.{{Cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/285222736/?terms=Flood&match=1|title=Record rainfall floods Salt Lake County|author=UPI|website=The Daily Spectrum|date=September 27, 1982|access-date=January 30, 2021|via=Newspapers.com}} Water from Spring Lake flooded a road in a nearby community of the same name.{{Cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/602144108/?terms=Flood&match=1|title=Record-breaking rain drenches Utah County|website=The Payson Chronicle|date=September 29, 1982|access-date=January 30, 2021|via=Newspapers.com}} More than 1,000 residences were flooded within Salt Lake County. Sanitary sewers in Murray were clogged and water lines in Springdale burst.{{Cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/435815149/?terms=Flood%20emergency&match=1|title=Parts of Utah under flood emergency|agency=Associated Press|website=El Paso Times|date=September 28, 1982|access-date=January 31, 2021|via=Newspapers.com}}

Utah Governor Scott Matheson issued a state of emergency for parts of the state. He also ordered 200 National Guard troops to Salt Lake County.{{Cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/186013962/?terms=State%20of%20emergency&match=1|title=Floods Hammer Utah, California|website=Philadelphia Daily News|date=September 28, 1982|access-date=January 31, 2021|via=Newspapers.com}} The Red Cross offered assistance to elderly people, while also conducting damage assessments.{{Cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/613598858/?terms=Flood&match=1|title=County Mops Up Under Threat of More Rain|author=Joe Rolando|website=The Salt Lake Tribune|date=September 29, 1982|access-date=January 31, 2021|via=Newspapers.com}} In Murray, the city searched for volunteers to help assist in cleanup efforts. The Red Cross provided shovels, mops, disinfectant, cots, and cooking utensils to requested areas.{{Cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/613598986/?terms=Flood&match=1|title=Murray Needs Helpers|author=Ben Ling|website=The Salt Lake Tribune|date=September 29, 1982|access-date=January 31, 2021|via=Newspapers.com}} Cleanup crews removed debris following the floods, with corporate, municipal, and county crews repairing structures damaged by flooding. Following the destructive floods in Springdale, local officials created a flood control fund, worth $5,000 (1982 USD). Springdale was later declared an area of disaster by state government.{{Cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/545569723/?terms=Flood&match=1|title=Springdale Declared Disaster Area|website=Washington County News|date=September 30, 1982|access-date=January 31, 2021|via=Newspapers.com}}

Flooding caused $500,000 (1982 USD) in damage in Washington County.{{Cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/613598663/?terms=Flood&match=1|title=County In State of Emergency After Floods|website=The Salt Lake Tribune|date=September 28, 1982|access-date=January 30, 2021|via=Newspapers.com}} Olivia was the wettest-tropical cyclone in Utah on record, dropping a peak precipitation amount of 7.41 inches (188.21 mm), in Cottonwood Weir.{{Cite web|url=https://www.wpc.ncep.noaa.gov/tropical/rain/tcwest.html|title=Tropical Cyclone Rainfall for the West|website=Weather Prediction Center|access-date=January 30, 2021}} Damages in Utah were estimated to be between $13–25 million (1982 USD).{{Cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/285224489/?terms=Flood&match=1|title=Flood danger past, cleanup and damage assessment start|author=UPI|website=The Daily Spectrum|date=September 30, 1982|access-date=January 31, 2021|via=Newspapers.com}}

Rainfall produced by Olivia was reported in Nevada.{{Cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/149454200/?terms=Storm&match=1|title=Flood|website=Reno Gazette-Journal|date=September 27, 1982|access-date=January 31, 2021|via=Newspapers.com}} In Colorado, Montana, and Wyoming, moisture from Olivia caused snowfall in the Rocky Mountains. This prompted a travel alert to be issued for portions of the region.{{Cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/430019798/?terms=Flood&match=1|title=Rain dampens flood control|website=The Daily Utah Chronicle|date=September 29, 1982|access-date=January 31, 2021|via=Newspapers.com}} With {{convert|2.20|in|mm|abbr=on}} of rain in Powell, Idaho, Olivia became the wettest tropical cyclone in state history at the time.Precipitation from the storm was also recorded in Southwestern Canada.{{Cite web|url=https://www.wpc.ncep.noaa.gov/tropical/rain/olivia1982.html|title=Remains of Olivia – September 23–28, 1982|website=Weather Prediction Center|access-date=January 31, 2021}}

{{Portal|Tropical cyclones|United States}}

• List of Pacific hurricanes
• List of California hurricanes
• Hurricane Nora (1997) — took a nearly identical track and affected similar areas
• Hurricane Max (2005) — took similar impacts to Southern California brought identical to rain as a cold front on September 20, 2005
• Hurricane Dolores (2015) — caused similar impacts in California
• Hurricane Kay (2022) — Took a nearly identical and it was a remnant low in California
• Hurricane Hilary (2023) — Took an identical track and affected Southern California

{{Reflist}}

• The Weather Prediction Center's [https://www.wpc.ncep.noaa.gov/tropical/rain/olivia1982.html report on Hurricane Olivia]

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Category:Tropical cyclones in 1982

Category:Hurricanes in California

Category:1982 Pacific hurricane season