From the Archives: Tropical storm Kathleen hit San Diego in 1976

Forty-six years ago this week, tropical storm Kathleen roared through Southern California and Arizona. Kathleen was was the first tropical cyclone to hit the San Diego area since 1939.

Hurricane Kathleen made landfall in northern Baja California on Sept. 11, 1976. It was downgraded to a tropical storm as it crossed into California and Arizona. In recorded history, only one hurricane has made landfall in San Diego — in 1858.

From The San Diego Union, Sunday, Sept. 12, 1976:

Storm’s Toll Reaches 10, Damages Set In Millions

By Jennifer Williamson, Staff Writer, The San Diego Union

Tropical storm Kathleen moved out of the Southwest yesterday, leaving in its wake at least 10 dead, 30 to 40 missing, and millions of dollars in damage to buildings, crops, roads and highways.

The storm, which raced through Southern California Friday, caused the most extensive damage in Imperial County, where three confirmed deaths were reported and a Sheriff’s Department spokesman estimated the damage to crops, buildings and highways in excess of $10 million.

The Board or Supervisors of Imperial County declared a countywide state of emergency yesterday and scheduled a meeting with officials handling disaster relief to discuss a possible application for state and federal assistance today. Imperial County health officials issued a warning advising people with private water systems from wells or tanks to chlorinate their wells and boil any water they drink because of possible water contamination.

Photos of the destruction caused bytropical storm Kathleen from The San Diego Union-Tribune, Sunday, Sept. 12, 1976, page A-3.

(The San Diego Union)

The storm hit the area Friday with heavy rains that sent excess water pouring down through little valleys between the hills in 3 to 4-foot high walls that became 20 to 30 foot wide. The water accumulated as it came rushing down, collapsing a 60-foot high bridge six miles east of Ocotillo and sending water rushing through the small town at estimates of 40 miles per hour.

Sheriff’s deputies identified the dead as John Patrick Reilly, 63, whose body was found in his destroyed home in Ocotillo Friday; William Meana, 52, of El Centro, whose body was pulled from a mudbank in the center of town Friday; and an unidentified man found in Ocotillo late yesterday. Other persons were reported killed in Mexicali, Los Angeles, and Yuma, Ariz.

Deputies estimated that about 12 persons were airlifted from Ocotillo Friday and said ground units rescued another 50.

Thirty homes in Ocotillo were reported damaged, including eight that were destroyed. A sheriff’s task force was assigned to the area yesterday and a night curfew was established to stop any looting.

Red Cross volunteers from San Diego, who went to Ocotillo Wells to provide emergency services including food and shelter to residents, said five times the town’s normal population was there and California highway Patrol officers were turning motorists back.

Flooding and mudslides caused extensive damage to railroad tracks in Carrizo Gorge, causing a halt to freight trains between El Centro and San Diego on the San Diego and Arizona Easter Railway Co. lines.