Meteorological history | |
---|---|
Formed | October 22, 1975 |
Dissipated | October 25, 1975 |
Category 3 major hurricane | |
1-minute sustained (SSHWS/NWS) | |
Highest winds | 115 mph (185 km/h) |
Overall effects | |
Fatalities | 30 direct |
Damage | $20 million (1975 USD) |
Areas affected | Mexico |
IBTrACS | |
Part of the 1975 Pacific hurricane season |
Hurricane Olivia was considered the worst hurricane to hit Mazatlán, Sinaloa since 1943, in addition to being the strongest landfalling and costliest hurricane of the 1975 Pacific hurricane season. Olivia formed on October 22 to the south of Mexico, quickly intensifying into a tropical storm. The storm moved northwestward initially, followed by a northeast turn. On October 23, Olivia attained hurricane status, and the next day reached Category 3 intensity on the Saffir-Simpson scale just before moving ashore Mazatlán in northwest Mexico. Olivia destroyed 7,000 houses in the region, leaving 30,000 people homeless, and damage totaled $20 million (1975 USD, $113 million 2024 USD). The hurricane killed 30 people, 20 of them from drowning in shrimp boats.