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Hurricane Dolores

Satellite image of Dolores on June 17
Meteorological history
Formed	June 14, 1974
Dissipated	June 17, 1974
Category 1 hurricane
1-minute sustained (SSHWS/NWS)
Highest winds	80 mph (130 km/h)
Lowest pressure	973 mbar (hPa); 28.73 inHg
Overall effects
Fatalities	18–28 total
Damage	$4 million (1974 USD)
Areas affected	Southwestern Mexico (especially around Acapulco)
IBTrACS
Part of the 1974 Pacific hurricane season

Hurricane Dolores was regarded as the worst hurricane to strike Acapulco since 1938. Developing on June 13, 1974, the system rapidly organized into a tropical storm the next day off the southern coast of Mexico. Over the following day, Dolores developed an eye-like feature and attained hurricane status. With peak winds of 80 mph (130 km/h), the storm made landfall near Acapulco. Once onshore, Dolores rapidly dissipated and was last noted on June 17.

Across Southwestern Mexico, Hurricane Dolores produced heavy rains that triggered widespread flooding and mudslides. Numerous roads sustained damage, separating communities from surrounding areas. At least 18 people were killed and 32 others were injured by the storm. Additionally, an estimated 173,000 people were affected across the country.

Meteorological history

On June 13, 1974, a tropical disturbance was identified several hundred miles south of Mexico. Tracking westward, rapid development ensued the following day and the system was classified a tropical depression around 12 UTC. Shortly thereafter, satellite intensity estimates indicated further strengthening and the storm was upgraded to Tropical Storm Dolores. Development temporarily slowed on June 15 as the structure gradually organized. Enhanced by the Intertropical Convergence Zone, a band of deep convection wrapped into the storm. A banding eye-feature developed later that day, indicating Dolores to be near hurricane strength.

Late on June 15, Dolores' forward motion slowed as it turned almost due north towards the Mexican coastline. Around 00 UTC on June 16, it is estimated that the storm intensified into a hurricane, with sustained winds peaking at 80 mph (130 km/h). Based on satellite imagery, Dolores is also estimated to have attained a barometric pressure of 973 hPa (28.73 inHg). Roughly 18 hours later, Dolores made landfall near Acapulco. Winds in the area were measured up to 77 mph (124 km/h). Once onshore, rapid dissipation ensued and Dolores was last noted early on June 17.

Impact

Regarded as the worst hurricane since 1938, Dolores brought torrential rains and high winds to much of Southwestern Mexico. Along the coast, near where Dolores made landfall, 30 homes were destroyed by winds estimated in excess of 75 mph (120 km/h). Several rivers over-topped their banks, inundating nearby communities. In the low-lying suburbs of Acapulco, nearly 600 people were injured or left homeless. According to the Centro Nacional de Prevención de Desastres (National Center for Prevention of Disasters), 18 people were killed in the states of Guerrero and Oaxaca; media reports indicated a higher toll of 22. Estimated losses from the storm exceeded $4 million. Nine people were killed by landslides in rural mountain communities surrounding Acapulco. The Costa Chica Highway, which runs from Acapulco to Pinotepa, sustained major damage and areas surrounding the roadway were declared disaster areas. Offshore, six people were listed as missing after their trawler, the Peregrine, was caught in the storm. In the storm's wake, the Mexican Army was deployed in Oaxaca to distribute relief supplies, such as food, medicines, and blankets to an estimated 173,000 people affected by the hurricane.

See also

• Other storms of the same name
• 1974 Pacific hurricane season
• 1974 Atlantic hurricane season
• Tropical Storm Carlotta (2018)
• Hurricane Agatha (2022)

References

1. ^ Sharon Towry (June 1975). "Eastern North Pacific Tropical Cyclones, 1974. Part 2". Monthly Weather Review. 103 (6). American Meteorological Society: 550. Bibcode:1975MWRv..103..550T. doi:10.1175/1520-0493(1975)103<0550:ENPTCP>2.0.CO;2.
2. ^ National Hurricane Center; Hurricane Research Division; Central Pacific Hurricane Center (April 26, 2024). "The Northeast and North Central Pacific hurricane database 1949–2023". United States National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's National Weather Service. Archived from the original on May 29, 2024. A guide on how to read the database is available here. This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
3. ^ Robert A. Baum (April 1975). "Eastern North Pacific Tropical Cyclones, 1974. Part 1". Monthly Weather Review. 103 (4). American Meteorological Society: 301. Bibcode:1975MWRv..103..301B. doi:10.1175/1520-0493(1975)103<0301:ENPTCP>2.0.CO;2.
4. ^ "Hurricane kills 22 in Acapulco". United Press International. The Vancouver Sun. June 19, 1974. p. 48. Retrieved October 19, 2011.
5. ^ "Hurricane kills nine". The Windsor Star. Associated Press. June 18, 1974. p. 40. Retrieved October 19, 2011.
6. "Ciclones Tropicales". Centro Nacional de Prevención de Desastres (in Spanish). Secretaría De Gobernación. 2011. Archived from the original on April 25, 2012. Retrieved October 19, 2011.

External links

• Eastern North Pacific Tropical Cyclones, 1974. Part 1
• Eastern North Pacific Tropical Cyclones, 1974. Part 2

v t e Tropical cyclones of the 1974 Pacific hurricane season
	TSAletta TSBlanca 3Connie 1Dolores TSEileen TDUnnumbered 1Francesca 2Gretchen TDUnnumbered TDUnnumbered TDUnnumbered TDUnnumbered TSHelga 3Ione TSOlive 1Joyce 1Kirsten TSLorraine 4Maggie TDUnnumbered 1Norma 2Orlene 1Patricia TDUnnumbered TSRosalie
Category

• 1974 Pacific hurricane season
• 1974 in Mexico
• Category 1 Pacific hurricanes
• Hurricanes in Guerrero
• Hurricanes in Oaxaca