Hurricane Ingrid was one of two tropical cyclones, along with Hurricane Manuel, to strike Mexico within a 24-hour period, the first such occurrence since 1958. Ingrid was the ninth named storm and second hurricane of the 2013 Atlantic hurricane season. It formed on September 12 in the Gulf of Mexico from a broad disturbance that also spawned Manuel in the eastern Pacific. After initially moving westward toward Veracruz, Ingrid turned northeastward away from the coast. Favorable conditions allowed it to attain hurricane status on September 14, and the next day Ingrid attained peak winds of 140 km/h (85 mph). Subsequently, increased wind shear weakened the convection as the storm turned more to the northwest and west. On September 16, Ingrid made landfall just south of La Pesca, Tamaulipas in northeastern Mexico as a strong tropical storm, and dissipated the next day. The hurricane was also the last one to form in the Gulf of Mexico until Hurricane Hermine in 2016.
The combined impacts of hurricanes Ingrid and Manuel affected two-thirds of Mexico, killing 192 people and causing MXN$75 billion, or roughly US$5.7 billion in damage. Most of the effects were due to Manuel, though Ingrid was directly responsible for at least 32 deaths and $20 billion (MXN, US$1.5 billion) in damage. The two storms precipitated 162 billion m3 (162 km3; 5.7 trillion cu ft; 39 cu mi) of water, the equivalent of filling every dam in Mexico. Rainfall from the storm peaked at 511 mm (20.1 in) in Tuxpan, Veracruz. The rains caused widespread flooding, damaging at least 14,000 houses and hundreds of roads and bridges. In Tamaulipas, where the storm made landfall, the rainfall damaged crops and flooded rivers. The effects of the storm spread into South Texas, causing high tides and some flooding. After the storm, the Mexican government declared several municipalities to be in states of emergency. Relief agencies distributed food and aid to the hardest hit areas, although in Tamaulipas, residents had to rely on assistance from the local Gulf Cartel. The names Ingrid and Manuel were both later retired due to their impacts.
On August 28, a tropical wave exited the west coast of Africa, which moved westward across the Atlantic Ocean without development. On September 2, an area of convection, or thunderstorms, developed along the northern portion of the wave, but was eventually absorbed into Tropical Storm Gabrielle north of Puerto Rico. The wave continued westward through the Caribbean Sea into a large area of cyclonicflow at the surface, which extended across Central America into the eastern Pacific. Around September 9, the broad system developed two areas of disturbed weather – one in the eastern Pacific would become Hurricane Manuel, and the other developing over the northwestern Caribbean. The latter system slowly organized, developing a low pressure area on September 11. Subsequently, the system moved over the Yucatán Peninsula.[1] Although land interaction prevented immediate development, conditions favored further development in the Bay of Campeche.[2] Early on September 12, the low emerged into the bay, and at 1800 UTC the National Hurricane Center (NHC) assessed that Tropical Depression Ten developed about 280 km (170 mi) east-northeast of Veracruz.[1] This was confirmed by a Hurricane Hunters flight indicating the presence of a closed low-level circulation.[3]
On September 13, convection and organization increased and the depression strengthened into Tropical Storm Ingrid, while weak steering currents resulted in little movement of the cyclone.[4] Partially due to the presence of nearby Hurricane Manuel in the eastern Pacific basin on the other side of Mexico, significant wind shear existed in the vicinity of Ingrid.[5] Nonetheless, strong convection and intermittent development of an eye allowed for strengthening of the storm on September 14.[6] Ingrid strengthened into a hurricane – the second of the season – that afternoon.[7] Around that time, the hurricane turned sharply northeastward due to a trough over eastern Mexico and a ridge over the southeastern United States.[1] Additional strengthening took place thereafter, and Ingrid reached a peak intensity of 140 km/h (85 mph) early on September 15 while starting to move northward and begin a northwest turn towards the Mexican coastline.[8]
Afterward Ingrid reached peak winds, shear increased and began to weaken the hurricane as it approached the Mexican coast.[9] The center became displaced to the edge of the convection, and NHC forecaster Daniel Brown noted that Ingrid "[did] not resemble a classic hurricane in satellite pictures."[10] At around 1115 UTC on September 16, Ingrid made landfall just south of La Pesca, Tamaulipas in northeastern Mexico, after having weakened into a strong tropical storm with 100 km/h (65 mph) winds.[1] Near landfall, the Hurricane Hunters reported flight-level winds of 120 km/h (75 mph) which, after adjusting to surface winds, confirmed the weakening.[11] The storm moved ashore less than 24 hours after Tropical Storm Manuel struck the Pacific coast of Mexico on Michoacán,[12] making it the first time since 1958 that tropical cyclones struck both coasts of the country within one day.[13] Ingrid rapidly weakened into a tropical depression over land,[14] and although convection temporarily reorganized,[15] the circulation dissipated on September 17.[16]
Preparations and impact
Ingrid (right) and Tropical Storm Manuel (left) over Mexico on September 15
Several tropical cyclone warnings and watches were posted in anticipation of the storm. Upon the development of Ingrid into a tropical cyclone at 2100 UTC on September 12, the Government of Mexico issued a tropical storm warning from Coatzacoalcos to Nautla, Veracruz. At 1500 UTC on September 13, the tropical storm warning was extended northward to Cabo Rojo, Veracruz, with a tropical storm watch northward to La Pesca, Tamaulipas. Later, a hurricane warning was issued between Cabo Rojo to La Pesca, with a tropical storm watch to Bahia Algodones, Tamaulipas.[1]Pemex, the oil company operated by the Mexican government, evacuated workers from three platforms in the Gulf of Mexico due to the storm.[17] In Tamaulipas, classes were canceled in 27 municipalities,[18] and all classes were temporarily canceled throughout Veracruz.[19] The threat of the storm caused events for Mexican Independence Day to be canceled.[20] After a restriction on the news in 2010 due to the local drug war, members of a citizen alert system in Tamaulipas used Twitter to notify about flooding, missing people, and the need for assistance.[21]
Early in its duration, Ingrid produced tropical storm force winds along the coast of Veracruz. While making landfall, it also brought tropical storm force winds along the northeastern Mexican coast. Sustained winds at La Pesca peaked at 80 km/h (50 mph), with gusts to 105 km/h (65 mph). The NHC remarked that Ingrid "likely caused above normal tides" in northeastern Mexico, but there was no data to back up the statement. Interacting with Hurricane Manuel on the Pacific coast and the broad cyclonic flow, Ingrid dropped heavy rainfall across eastern Mexico, primarily in Tabasco, Veracruz, and Tamaulipas states. In Tuxpan, Veracruz, rainfall totaled 511 mm (20.1 in) over 10 days, while at the Presa Vicente Guerrero dam in Tamaulipas, precipitation reached 502 mm (19.8 in).[1]Surface runoff from the storm spread to the Pacific coast of Mexico, producing flooding in Guerrero in combination with Manuel. The impacts from both storms produced 162 billion m3 (5.7 trillion cu ft) of water, the equivalent of filling every dam in the country.[22]
The combined effects of hurricanes Ingrid and Manuel affected about two-thirds of Mexico.[23] The rains from Ingrid caused flooding and landslides across Mexico,[1] causing many rivers to rise,[23] and isolating towns.[24] In Veracruz alone, the rains flooded 68 rivers, which damaged 121 roads and 31 bridges, including two destroyed bridges. About 14,000 houses were damaged to some degree.[25] Heavy rainfall forced 23,000 people to evacuate their homes, 9,000 of whom went to emergency shelters,[26] some forced to leave by the Mexican army in high risk areas.[25] Evacuees who did not reside in shelters generally went to the houses of friends and family.[19] Also in Veracruz, flooding killed about 20,000 livestock.[27] Along the coast of Tamaulipas, damage occurred from Soto la Marina to La Pesca.[19] The Pánuco River in Tamaulipas rose above its banks, flooding two poor towns along its path and damaging adjacent roads. Also in the state, the storm damaged local sorghum fields.[27] Two people in the state required rescue after their truck was swept away by a river.[17]
Throughout Mexico, Ingrid killed 32 people, mostly due to flooding and mudslides.[1] The two storms collectively killed at least 192 people and caused MXN$75 (US$ 5.7 billion). Manuel was responsible for majority of the overall effects, although Ingrid still left an estimated MXN$20 billion (US$1.5 billion) in estimated economic losses, according to AON Benfield; insured damages totaled MXN$3 billion (US$230 million).[23] A total of six fatalities occurred in the states of Hidalgo and Puebla. Three of which were caused after a vehicle was swept off a road, while three other people died after their home was buried by a mudslide;[24] another death occurred in Hidalgo after a house collapsed on a woman in the town of Tepehuacán de Guerrero.[28] Twelve people died after a landslide smashed a bus in Altotonga, Veracruz,[26] and three people died in Tamaulipas.[29]
The fringes of the storm extended into southern Texas, where winds gusted to tropical storm force, and rainfall was around 25–75 mm (0.98–2.95 in).[1] Thunderstorms and high tides affected the coastline, with tides reaching 0.76 m (2.5 ft) above normal, causing beaches to close due to flooding.[30]
Aftermath
The twin impacts of hurricanes Ingrid and Manuel prompted officials in Mexico to declare a state of emergency in 155 municipalities in Veracruz, Tamaulipas, Chiapas, Oaxaca, Guerrero, and Chihuahua.[13] The nation's Health Ministry sent medical crews across the country to affected areas in an effort to prevent the spread of disease; the agency also suggested residents boil their water.[31] Officials opened shelters in Tamaulipas for residents whose houses were damaged,[32] housing about 2,000 people in the weeks following the storm.[33] The Mexican food bank sent about 800 tons of food to the hardest-hit parts of the country in Guerrero, Veracruz, and Sinaloa.[34] In addition, the Mexican Red Cross delivered 186 tons of food to Veracruz alone. Volunteers delivered about 600 blankets and various cleaning supplies to the town of Pánuco.[35] Following the storms, the National Civil Protection Coordination received the authority to prevent housing construction in areas at risk for mudslides and flooding; the law had passed in 2012, but initially lacked the authority to enforce it.[36] Some residents in Tamaulipas complained at the slow pace of receiving aid. In response, the Gulf Cartel brought relief items to Aldama, with one columnist for El Universal suggesting that this was to gain favor with local residents.[37]
Hurricane Diana (1990) – a deadly Category 2 hurricane that struck eastern Mexico
Hurricane Gert (1993) – another Category 2 hurricane struck Mexico with similar results to Diana
Hurricane Roxanne (1995) – a destructive Category 3 hurricane that took a similar erratic track
Hurricane Bret (1999) – originated in the Gulf of Mexico and took a northward track, but attained Category 4 strength and struck southern Texas
Hurricane Lorenzo (2007) – moved erratically in the Bay of Campeche before striking Veracruz as a Category 1 hurricane
Hurricane Franklin (2017) – crossed the Yucatán Peninsula before hitting Veracruz as a Category 1 hurricane
References
^ abcdefghiJohn L. Beven II (February 5, 2014). Hurricane Ingrid Tropical Cyclone Report (PDF) (Report). National Hurricane Center. Retrieved March 15, 2014.
^Christopher W. Landsea (September 10, 2013). Tropical Weather Outlook (Report). National Hurricane Center. Retrieved September 15, 2013.
^Lixion A. Avila and Michael J. Brennan (September 12, 2013). Tropical Depression Ten Discussion Number 1 (Report). National Hurricane Center. Retrieved September 15, 2013.
^Lixion A. Avila (September 13, 2013). Tropical Storm Ingrid Discussion Number 4 (Report). National Hurricane Center. Retrieved September 15, 2013.
^Lixion A. Avila (September 14, 2013). Tropical Storm Ingrid Discussion Number 5 (Report). National Hurricane Center. Retrieved September 15, 2013.
^Lixion A. Avila (September 14, 2013). Tropical Storm Ingrid Discussion Number 9 (Report). National Hurricane Center. Retrieved September 15, 2013.
^Lixion A. Avila (September 14, 2013). Hurricane Ingrid Discussion Number 10 (Report). National Hurricane Center. Retrieved September 15, 2013.
^Michael J. Brennan (September 15, 2013). Hurricane Ingrid Discussion Number 11 (Report). National Hurricane Center. Retrieved September 15, 2013.
^James L. Franklin (September 15, 2013). Hurricane Ingrid Discussion Number 13 (Report). National Hurricane Center. Retrieved September 15, 2013.
^Daniel P. Brown (September 15, 2013). Hurricane Ingrid Discussion Number 14 (Report). National Hurricane Center. Retrieved November 8, 2013.
^James L. Franklin (September 16, 2013). Tropical Storm Ingrid Discussion Number 17 (Report). National Hurricane Center. Retrieved September 16, 2013.
^Richard J. Pasch; David A. Zelinsky (January 6, 2014). Hurricane Manuel Tropical Cyclone Report (PDF) (Report). National Hurricane Center. Retrieved March 18, 2014.
^ abRedhum (December 25, 2013). 2013: México vive un año histórico en desastres naturales (Report) (in Spanish). ReliefWeb. Retrieved March 30, 2014.
^Daniel P. Brown (September 16, 2013). Tropical Depression Ingrid Discussion Number 18 (Report). National Hurricane Center. Retrieved November 8, 2013.
^Stacy R. Stewart (September 16, 2013). Tropical Depression Ingrid Discussion Number 19 (Report). National Hurricane Center. Retrieved November 8, 2013.
^Robbie J. Berg (September 16, 2013). Remnants of Ingrid Discussion Number 20 (Report). National Hurricane Center. Retrieved November 8, 2013.
^United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (September 19, 2013). México – Info Note: Remnants of "Ingrid" and "Manuel" (PDF) (Report). ReliefWeb. Retrieved April 1, 2014.
^ abcUnited Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (September 17, 2013). México - Nota Informativa: Remanentes de "Ingrid" y "Manuel" (PDF) (Report). ReliefWeb. Retrieved April 1, 2014.
^"Mexico hit by Hurricane Ingrid and Tropical Storm Manuel". BBC.com. September 16, 2013. Retrieved April 1, 2014.
^Ildefonso Ortiz (September 23, 2013). "Tamaulipas floods Twitter with Ingrid alerts; video appears to show Gulf Cartel dabbling in disaster relief". The Monitor. Retrieved April 3, 2014.
^El Coordinador Nacional de Protección Civil, Luis Felipe Puente Espinosa y el Subsecretario de Normatividad de Medios de la Secretaría de Gobernación y Vocero del Gabinete de Seguridad del Gobierno de la República, Eduardo Sánchez Hernández [The National Coordinator of Civil Protection, Luis Felipe Espinosa Bridge and Media Regulation Undersecretary of the Interior Ministry and the Cabinet Spokesman of the Government of the Republic Security, Eduardo Sánchez Hernández] (Report) (in Spanish). Government of Mexico. November 28, 2013. Retrieved April 1, 2014.
^ abcSeptember 2013 Global Catastrophe Recap (PDF) (Report). Aon Benfield. October 2013. Retrieved October 25, 2013.
^ abCatherine E. Shoichet and Nelson Quinones (September 15, 2013). "Hurricane Ingrid, Tropical Storm Manuel hit Mexico, killing 15". CNN. Retrieved September 15, 2013.
^ abRedhum (September 15, 2013). Suman 46 mil afectados por "Ingrid" en Veracruz (Report). ReliefWeb. Retrieved April 1, 2014.
^ ab"Hurricane Ingrid and Storm Manuel claim over 30 lives in Mexico". Bihar Prabha. September 17, 2013. Retrieved September 17, 2013.
^ abWorld Society for the Protection of Animals (September 30, 2013). WSPA Disaster Assessment and Needs Analysis: Flooding in Mexico (PDF) (Report). ReliefWeb. Retrieved March 30, 2014.
^"Tamaulipas y Veracruz se preparan para la llegada del huracán 'Ingrid'". CNN (in Spanish). September 16, 2013. Retrieved September 17, 2013.
^Conferencia de Prensa (September 19, 2013). "Habilitan delegaciones de la Sedesol y sectorizadas como centros de acopio" (in Spanish). ReliefWeb. Retrieved April 1, 2014.
^"Storm Data and Unusual Weather Phenomena with Late Reports and Corrections" (PDF). 55 (9). National Climatic Data Center. September 2013. Archived from the original (PDF) on April 4, 2014. Retrieved April 4, 2014. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
^Redhum (October 6, 2013). "Continúa Operativo Federal de Salud en los estados inundados" (in Spanish). ReliefWeb. Retrieved March 30, 2014.
^Government of Mexico (October 2, 2013). "Conferencia de prensa que ofreció el subsecretario de Normatividad de Medios y Vocero del Gabinete de Seguridad del Gobierno de la República, Eduardo Sánchez Hernández" (in Spanish). ReliefWeb. Retrieved March 30, 2014.
^Government of Mexico (September 19, 2013). "Habilitan delegaciones de la Sedesol y sectorizadas como centros de acopio" (in Spanish). ReliefWeb. Retrieved April 1, 2014.
^Government of Mexico (October 24, 2013). "Llevan Sedesol y Bancos de Alimentos productos a las zonas marginadas" (in Spanish). ReliefWeb. Retrieved March 30, 2014.
^Cruz Roja Mexicana (October 11, 2013). "Entrega Cruz Roja Mexicana ayuda humanitaria a pobladores de seis comunidades en Pánuco, Veracruz" (in Spanish). ReliefWeb. Retrieved April 1, 2014.
^"Fijan reglas para prevenir desastres" (in Spanish). ReliefWeb. November 28, 2013. Retrieved March 30, 2014.
^"How cartels win with storm damage". McClatchy DC. September 28, 2013. Archived from the original on April 12, 2016. Retrieved April 1, 2014.
^WMO retires Ingrid and Manuel for Atlantic and eastern North Pacific basins (Report). National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. April 10, 2014. Retrieved April 10, 2014.
External links
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Hurricane Ingrid (2013).
National Hurricane Center's advisory archive on Ingrid
National Hurricane Center's graphical archive on Ingrid
Extratropical cyclone, remnant low, tropical disturbance, or monsoon depression
