 Heather at peak intensity on October 5 | |
| Meteorological history | |
|---|---|
| Formed | October 4, 1977 |
| Dissipated | October 7, 1977 |
| Category 1 hurricane | |
| 1-minute sustained (SSHWS/NWS) | |
| Highest winds | 85 mph (140 km/h) |
| Lowest pressure | 978 mbar (hPa); 28.88 inHg |
| Overall effects | |
| Casualties | None reported |
| Damage | $15 million (1977 USD) |
| Areas affected | Socorro Island, Arizona, California, New Mexico, Sonora |
| IBTrACS | |
Part of the 1977 Pacific hurricane season | |
Hurricane Heather was one of the worst tropical cyclones to affect Arizona on record. The sixteenth tropical cyclone, eighth named storm, and fourth hurricane of the 1977 Pacific hurricane season, it began as a tropical disturbance off the west coast of Mexico on October 3. The next day, October 4, it developed into a tropical depression and then turned to the northwest. It was soon upgraded to Tropical Storm Heather. On October 5, Heather became a hurricane, and later that day its winds peaked at 85 mph (137 km/h). Heather began to turn north-northwest around this time. By October 6, it was re-designated a tropical storm. Moving north, Heather continued to weaken over cooler waters, and on October 7, the final advisory was issued, downgrading Heather to a tropical depression.
Heather's remnants later brought heavy rains to southeast Arizona and far northern parts of Sonora from October 6–10, causing severe flooding. Rain totals as high as 14 inches (360 mm) were recorded in unspecified areas in this region, and the city of Nogales in Arizona officially recorded 8.30 inches (211 mm) of rain from the storm. The normally dry Santa Cruz River flooded several cities and towns along its path, reaching up to a 100-year flood stage near Nogales. Hundreds of people were driven from their homes due to flooding from Heather. Overall, the storm caused $15 million (1977 USD) in damage, primarily to agriculture, but caused no injuries or fatalities.