Rick (2009)

A tropical depression formed from a tropical wave in the eastern North Pacific on 15 October 2009 about 300 nautical miles south-southwest of the Gulf of Tehuantepec. The system strengthened quickly, becoming a tropical storm within six hours and a hurricane within 24 hours. It moved generally west-northwestward south of Mexico, underwent very rapid strengthening, then slowed and turned northwest and north as an upper-level trough approached. Rick weakened rapidly after its peak and moved northeastward toward the Mexican coast before dissipating inland on 22 October.

Rick made landfall once on the coast of west-central Mexico near the city of Mazatlán on 21 October 2009 at about 1400 UTC. At landfall it was a tropical storm with estimated maximum sustained winds of 50 knots (about 58 mph). The circulation collapsed quickly over the rugged terrain after moving ashore.

The storm’s maximum intensity occurred on 18 October 2009. Peak sustained winds were estimated at 155 knots (about 178 mph) with a minimum central pressure of 906 mb, making Rick a Category 5 hurricane at its peak. This peak intensity was reached between 0600 and 1200 UTC on 18 October.

Storm surge and heavy rain were reported along the Mexican Pacific coast. At Mazatlán the observing station recorded a minimum sea-level pressure of 989.9 mb and maximum sustained winds to 34 kt with gusts to 53 kt; the station also reported storm tide and surge effects though specific surge height at the station is not listed in the public tables. Significant wave action caused hazardous coastal conditions at Los Cabos and Cabo San Lucas, where large waves led to fatalities. Total rainfall totals cited in the report were not given for many locations, but heavy rains affected west-central Mexico as Rick approached and made landfall.

Two deaths were linked to the storm’s wave action: a 38-year-old man swept out to sea at Los Cabos Harbor (San José del Cabo) on 18 October and a 16-year-old boy who drowned at El Médano Beach in Cabo San Lucas on 19 October. Damage detail in the report is limited; the most severe meteorological impacts occurred from the cyclone’s earlier extreme intensification at sea and from coastal waves and rainfall near the time of landfall.

Noteworthy items: Rick reached Category 5 strength and, at its peak, was the second strongest hurricane on record in the eastern North Pacific (east of the International Date Line) in the modern satellite era, behind Hurricane Linda (1997). Forecasts did reasonably well for track at short to medium ranges but intensity forecasts had large errors because of Rick’s very rapid intensification and subsequent rapid weakening.