hurricane olivia hurricane olivia considered worst hurricane hit addition strongest hurricane pacific hurricane season olivia formed october south mexico quickly intensifying tropical storm storm moved northwestward initially followed northeast turn october olivia attained hurricane status day reached category intensity saffir simpson scale moving ashore northwest mexico olivia destroyed houses region leaving people homeless damage totaled million usd million usd hurricane killed people drowning shrimp boats meteorological history origins olivia extended area convection thunderstorm activity persisted southwest mexico late october following development circulation system formed tropical depression early october southwest depression quickly intensified tracked northwestward strengthening slowed circulation better defined october olivia turned northeastward attained hurricane status evening reaching hurricane status olivia accelerated north northeast ships crossed path encountering strong winds rough waves october hurricane hunters flight observed elliptical eye winds mph intensification occurred utc october olivia landfall peak winds mph gusts mph olivia major hurricane category saffir simpson scale quickly dissipated moving ashore prior olivia making landfall mexican military evacuated people low lying areas accurate forecasts satellite ship data credited preventing significant death toll population know storm approach day landfall officials advised ships return port safety threat storm canceled baseball game olivia moved ashore produced locally heavy rainfall peaking heaviest rains occurred narrow region hurricane landfall precipitation reached far south south landfall location winds reached mph combination strong winds heavy rainfall destroyed homes nearby villages houses damaged degree destroyed homes poorly built hurricane passage left people homeless storm victims housed schools churches buildings damaged storm buildings city affected storm debris covering streets region hurricane cut power water services disrupted transportation infrastructure damaging highways railroads airport heavily damaged flights suspended city windows airport blown small planes overturned strong winds downed trees heavy rainfall resulted flooding olivia considered worst storm hurricane following storm city declared disaster zone near coastline tourist areas damage reached million usd million usd path olivia killed people left injured severe offshore deaths occurred shrimp boats wrecked winds damaged wall prison killing prisoners allowing escape overall damage totaled million usd million usd olivia major hurricanes record strike hurricane addition hurricane came close striking city reconstruction began immediately national defense quickly deployed food water storm victims day storm passage sent ships worth relief supplies including water medicine rescue equipment days storm passed region relief workers began cleaning storm debris
Hurricane Olivia (1975)