 | A request that this article title be changed to Hurricane Paul is under discussion. Please do not move this article until the discussion is closed. |
&sq=&lang=&file=File:Paul_1982-09-29_1600Z.png) Hurricane Paul at peak intensity prior to landfall on the Baja Peninsula on September 28 | |
| Meteorological history | |
|---|---|
| Formed | September 18, 1982 |
| Dissipated | September 30, 1982 |
| Category 2 hurricane | |
| 1-minute sustained (SSHWS/NWS) | |
| Highest winds | 110 mph (175 km/h) |
| Overall effects | |
| Fatalities | 1,625 total (Second deadliest East Pacific hurricane) |
| Missing | 668 |
| Damage | $520 million (1982 USD) |
| Areas affected | Guatemala, El Salvador, Baja California, Northwest Mexico, United States |
| IBTrACS | |
Part of the 1982 Pacific hurricane season | |
Hurricane Paul was a particularly deadly and destructive Pacific hurricane which killed a total of 1,625 people and caused US$520 million in damage, ranking it as the second deadliest Pacific hurricane on record, behind the 1959 Mexico Hurricane. The sixteenth named storm and tenth hurricane of the 1982 Pacific hurricane season, Paul developed as a tropical depression just offshore Central America on September 18. The depression briefly moved inland two days later just before heading westward out to sea. The storm changed little in strength for several days until September 25, when it slowly intensified into a tropical storm. Two days later, Paul attained hurricane status, and further strengthened to Category 2 intensity after turning northward. The hurricane then accelerated toward the northeast, reaching peak winds of 110 mph (175 km/h). Paul made landfall over Baja California Sur on September 29, and subsequently moved ashore in Sinaloa the next day.
Prior to making landfall near the El Salvador–Guatemala border as a tropical depression, the precursor disturbance dropped heavy rainfall over the region, which later continued after landfall. Many rivers in the region burst their banks after five days of rainfall, causing severe flooding and multiple mudslides. Throughout Central America, at least 1,363 people were killed, with most of the fatalities occurring in El Salvador, although some occurred in Guatemala. Another 225 deaths were attributed to floods from the depression in southern Mexico. In addition, Paul was responsible for 24 fatalities and moderate damage in northwestern Mexico, where it made landfall at hurricane strength. Despite the catastrophic damage and loss of life caused by the storm, the name Paul was not retired following the season.