Hurricane Raymond (1989)

Tropical Storm Raymond several hours prior to Baja California Peninsula landfall

Around 0300 UTC on October 4, the Government of Mexico issued a tropical storm warning for areas between Punta Abreojos and San Carlos on the Pacific coast of Baja California and for areas between Santa Rosalía to Loreto on the Gulf coast of the Peninsula. Roughly twelve hours later, the warning was superseded by another tropical storm warning. The new warning was issued for areas between Punta Abreojos and El Rosario on the Pacific coast and for areas between Santa Rosalia and Punta Final on the Gulf coast. In mainland Mexico, a tropical storm watch was issued for coastal areas of Sonora between Cabo Lobos and Puerto Penasco. By 1830 UTC, all of the watches and warnings were revised; on the Pacific coast of Baja California, the warning was in effect for areas between Punta Abreojos and San Juanico; on the Gulf coast, the warning was in effect for areas between Santa Rosalia and Punta Conception; the watch for coastal areas of Sonora was upgraded to a tropical storm warning for areas between Guaymas and Cabo Lobos. Following Raymond's landfall in mainland Mexico, all warnings were discontinued by 1200 UTC on October 5.[13]

Since Raymond had significantly weakened prior to its first landfall, only minor impacts were recorded in Mexico. The fast forward speed of the storm limited the amount of rain in the Baja California Peninsula, with only a small area receiving more than 3 in (76 mm).[14] The highest rainfall was recorded in Nogales at 4.72 in (120 mm).[12] In the city, the swollen Santa Cruz River destroyed a heavily traveled bridge, known as the Calle Obregon, and a store which was situated on the banks of the river. Mexican officials estimated damages in Nogales at $250,000.[15]

Rainfall totals from Hurricane Raymond

The day prior to Raymond's impacts in the United States, weather forecasts in Arizona indicated that heavy rainfall associated with the remnants of the storm were likely to trigger flash flooding and landslides, with rainfall rates reaching 0.5 in/h (12.5 mm/h).[16] Flash flood watches were issued for parts of southern Arizona as well as mountainous and northern parts of New Mexico between October 5 and 6.[17] Rainfall in excess of 3 in (76 mm) fell in parts of southern Arizona; with the highest in the state recorded near Tucson at 4.5 in (110 mm). Several locations recorded wind gusts up to 35 mph (56 km/h); however, mountaintops possibly received winds in excess of 40 mph (64 km/h).[18] The highest total in the United States was recorded in Independence, Kansas at 3.91 in (99 mm).[12]

Fifteen streets in the city of Tucson were closed as floodwaters reached 2 ft (0.61 m) in the worst hit areas.[18] The Tucson Electric Power Company reported that parts of the city were without power for eight hours on October 5 due to the storm.[15] The hardest hit area was Willcox; roughly 75% of the city was under 2 ft (0.61 m) of floodwaters.[18] Runoff, mixed with sewage, contaminated a wastewater-treatment plant; cleanup took several days before the plant was operational. Several businesses were flooded, with the Wilcox Auction Barn and the Wapco Apple Packing Plant both containing about 1 ft (0.30 m) of water. The Sulphur Springs Valley Electric Company shut off power to flooded areas as a safety precaution. In Fort Huachuca, power lines were downed, leading to early dismissal of army classes.[15] One person was killed in relation to Raymond after being trapped in a mobile home which was destroyed by high winds.[19] Flash flooding triggered by Raymond caused an estimated $1.5 million in damage throughout Arizona.[20]