Hurricane Iwa
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| Category 1 hurricane (SSHS) | ||
|---|---|---|
 Hurricane Iwa polar orbiting satellite image |
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| Formed | November 19, 1982 | |
| Dissipated | November 25, 1982 | |
| Highest winds |
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| Lowest pressure | Unknown | |
| Damage | $250 million (1982 USD) | |
| Fatalities | 1 direct | |
| Areas affected |
Hawaiʻi | |
| Part of the 1982 Pacific hurricane season |
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Hurricane Iwa, taken from the Hawaiian language name for the frigatebird (ʻiwa), devastated the islands of Niʻihau, Kauaʻi and Oʻahu in the state of Hawaiʻi as a Category 1 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale on November 23, 1982. It was the first significant hurricane to hit the Hawaiian Islands since statehood in 1959.
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[edit] Storm history
An active trough of low pressure near the equator developed in mid-November. It slowly organized as it moved northward, and became a tropical storm on November 19. Iwa moved generally northeastward, and with low shear and warm water temperatures (partially due to an El Niño), it became a hurricane later that day while 500 miles southwest of Hilo, Hawaiʻi.
As it increased its forward momentum, it also increased its wind speed, reaching a peak of 90 mph on November 23. The next day, the eye of the storm passed approximately 25 miles north of the northwestern coast of the island of Kauaʻi. While in Hawaiian waters, it traveled 30 to 40 mph with maximum sustained winds charted at 80 to 90 mph. Gusts were recorded well over 100 mph (160 km/h). While moving through the Hawaiian Islands, it destroyed hotels and condominiums and sank vessels moored in local harbors. Communities left unprotected by coral reefs on the three islands were pounded with high surf and storm surges, flattening beachfront properties.
Iwa continued northeastward, weakening to a tropical storm on November 24 and dissipating on November 25.
[edit] Late-season storm
Iwa formed very late in the season; however, conditions were still favorable for tropical cyclone development in the central Pacific Ocean, partially because of the warm water from an El Niño.
[edit] Impact
| Costliest Eastern Pacific hurricanes Cost refers to total estimated property damage. |
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|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | Hurricane | Season | Cost (2005 USD) |
| 1 | Pauline | 1997 | $8.84 billion |
| 2 | Iniki | 1992 | $2.6 billion |
| 3 | Iwa | 1982 | $507 million |
| 4 | Kathleen | 1976 | $137-549 million |
| 5 | Norma | 1981 | $300 million |
| Main article: List of notable Pacific hurricanes | |||
Considered one of the most expensive hurricanes to hit Hawaiʻi at the time, Hurricane Iwa incurred USD $200 million in damages.
Only one death resulted from Hurricane Iwa. A seaman aboard USS Goldsborough (DDG-20), Jose Cantu, died when a wave clashed with the United States Navy vessel as it tried to escape Pearl Harbor to ride out the tropical cyclone. A shipmate of Cantu, Lieutenant Ray Beard, was also swept off their ship by the same wave. He survived after swimming 2 miles onshore to the Honolulu International Airport reef runway.
The name Iwa was retired due to this storm, and was replaced with Io.
[edit] See also
[edit] External links
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