Hurricane Erick (2013)
{{Short description|Category 1 Pacific hurricane in 2013}}
{{Infobox weather event
| name = Hurricane Erick
| image = Erick Jul 6 2013 2030Z.jpg
| caption = Erick at peak intensity on July 6, with Tropical Depression Dalila to its west
| formed = July 4, 2013
| dissipated = July 9, 2013
}}{{Infobox weather event/NWS
| winds = 70
| pressure = 983
}}{{Infobox weather event/Effects
| year = 2013
| fatalities = 2
| missing = 2
| damage = 30300000
| areas = Southwestern Mexico, Western Mexico, Baja California Peninsula
| refs =
}}{{Infobox weather event/Footer
| season = 2013 Pacific hurricane season
}}
Hurricane Erick brought moderate impacts to the western coastline of Mexico in July 2013, and was the last of a succession of four Category 1 hurricanes to affect the Pacific coast of Mexico early in the 2013 Pacific hurricane season. The fifth named storm and fourth hurricane of the annual season, Erick originated from a tropical wave that moved off the western coast of Africa on June 18. The wave tracked swiftly westward with little development, emerging into the eastern Pacific on July 1. As a result of favorable environmental conditions, the wave developed into a tropical depression on July 4, and further into Tropical Storm Erick at 0000 UTC on July 5. Steered generally west-northwest, Erick intensified into a Category 1 hurricane and reached its peak intensity with winds of 80 mph (130 km/h) on July 6. Its proximity to land and track over increasingly cooler waters caused the storm to deteriorate into a tropical storm the following day, though it remained at such intensity until degenerating into a remnant low early on July 9. The remnant circulation dissipated a few hours later, southwest of Baja California Sur.
In preparation for the cyclone, numerous tropical cyclone warnings and watches were issued for various portions of the coastline of Mexico. Ports were closed and residents in low-lying areas were asked to evacuate to higher grounds. In addition, shipping by means of boat was suspended. Though the center of Erick remained offshore, the outer bands of the system brought gusty winds and isolated heavy rainfall to Western Mexico. In Guerrero, minor flooding was reported in the cities of Acapulco and Puerto Marques. A river overflowed its banks in Nayarit, flooding several cities in the state. Numerous cars, streets, and homes were damaged by flooding. A woman died as she attempted to flee her house, while a man was killed after being swept away by the river. Hundreds of people were rescued by the Mexican military and Nayarit officials. Across Baja California Sur, the storm produced widespread precipitation, leading to flooding.
Meteorological history
{{storm path|Erick 2013 track.png}}
On June 18, a tropical wave emerged off the western coastline of Africa and into the eastern Atlantic. Tracking steadily westward, it maintained a small but organized area of convection—shower and thunderstorm activity—along its axis for the next several days. The wave crossed the Lesser Antilles on June 24 and Central America on June 29, emerging into the eastern Pacific shortly thereafter.{{cite report|author=Lixion A. Avila|title=Tropical Cyclone Report: Hurricane Erick|url={{NHC TCR url|id=EP052013_Erick}}|publisher=National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration|work=National Hurricane Center|date=August 28, 2013|access-date=December 17, 2013|format=PDF|location=Miami, Florida}} During the evening of July 1, the National Hurricane Center (NHC) began monitoring the system, noting that environmental conditions were expected to become favorable for slow development.{{cite web|author=Todd B. Kimberlain|author2=Stacy R. Stewart|title=Tropical Weather Outlook|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/text/TWOEP/2013/TWOEP.201307012335.txt|publisher=National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration|work=National Hurricane Center|date=July 1, 2013|access-date=December 17, 2013|format=TXT|location=Miami, Florida}} The wave interacted with a larger area of low pressure on July 2, leading to an increase in convective coverage and the formation of a broad low-pressure area. Continuing slowly westward, the system acquired enough organization to be declared a tropical depression at 1200 UTC on July 4, while centered 205 mi (330 km) southeast of Acapulco, Mexico. Despite the initially exposed center of circulation, a byproduct of moderate wind shear, the depression soon began to organize as convective banding increased and gained more curvature.{{cite report|author=Todd B. Kimberlain|author2=Lixion A. Avila|title=Tropical Storm Erick Discussion Number 3|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2013/ep05/ep052013.discus.003.shtml|publisher=National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration|work=National Hurricane Center|date=July 3, 2013|access-date=December 17, 2013|location=Miami, Florida}} This led to the classification of Tropical Storm Erick at 0000 UTC on July 5.
Under the influence of a mid-level ridge over the northwestern Caribbean Sea and an upper-level ridge over the southwestern United States, the newly upgraded Erick tracked west-northwest parallel to the coastline of Mexico.{{cite report|author=Jack L. Beven|title=Tropical Storm Erick Discussion Number 4|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2013/ep05/ep052013.discus.004.shtml|publisher=National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration|work=National Hurricane Center|date=July 5, 2013|access-date=December 17, 2013|location=Miami, Florida}} A central dense overcast formed by the daylight hours of July 5, with tight banding noted on satellite. In addition, microwave imagery indicated the formative stages of an eyewall.{{cite report|author=Eric S. Blake|author2=Stacy R. Stewart|title=Tropical Storm Erick Discussion Number 6|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2013/ep05/ep052013.discus.006.shtml|publisher=National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration|work=National Hurricane Center|date=July 5, 2013|access-date=December 17, 2013|location=Miami, Florida}} Initially vertically decoupled, the storm became more vertically aligned throughout the following hours. A ragged eye became intermittently visible on satellite, and Erick was upgraded to Category 1 hurricane status at 0600 UTC, located approximately 105 mi (170 km) west-southwest of Lázaro Cárdenas, Mexico.{{cite report|author=Stacy R. Stewart|title=Hurricane Erick Discussion Number 10|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2013/ep05/ep052013.discus.010.shtml|publisher=National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration|work=National Hurricane Center|date=July 6, 2013|access-date=December 17, 2013|location=Miami, Florida}} In conjunction with satellite intensity estimates, it is estimated that Erick attained its peak intensity with maximum sustained winds of 80 mph (130 km/h) and a minimum barometric pressure of 983 mb (hPa; 29.03 inHg) at 1200 UTC. Shortly thereafter, its proximity to the coastline of Mexico and track over increasingly cooler waters caused the storm to begin a weakening trend.{{cite report|author=Daniel P. Brown|title=Hurricane Erick Discussion Number 11|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2013/ep05/ep052013.discus.011.shtml|publisher=National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration|work=National Hurricane Center|date=July 6, 2013|access-date=December 17, 2013|location=Miami, Florida}} At 1800 UTC on July 7, Erick weakened to a tropical storm as its associated convective mass warmed and the eye deteriorated.{{cite report|author=Eric S. Blake|author2=Stacy R. Stewart|title=Tropical Storm Erick Discussion Number 13|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2013/ep05/ep052013.discus.013.shtml|publisher=National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration|work=National Hurricane Center|date=July 7, 2013|access-date=December 17, 2013|location=Miami, Florida}} Wind shear caused the center of circulation to become exposed on July 9 as the system passed just south of Baja California Sur,{{cite report|author=David Zelinsky|author2=James L. Franklin|title=Tropical Storm Erick Discussion Number 19|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2013/ep05/ep052013.discus.019.shtml|publisher=National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration|work=National Hurricane Center|date=July 8, 2013|access-date=December 17, 2013|location=Miami, Florida}} leading to degeneration into a remnant low-pressure area at 0600 UTC. The remnant vortex persisted for a few more hours, before dissipating over cold sea surface temperatures at 0000 UTC on July 10.
Preparations and impact
File:Tropical Storm Erick 2013-07-07 1805Z.jpg on July 7]]
Following the system's designation, a tropical storm watch was issued for the southwestern coastline of Mexico stretching from Acapulco to La Fortuna. By 0300 UTC on July 5, the watch was extended from Acapulco to Manzanillo, while a tropical storm warning was issued from Lázaro Cárdenas to Manzanillo. Several hours later, the watch was discontinued for the coastline stretching from Acapulco to Lázaro Cárdenas and issued from La Fortuna to Cabo Corrientes, Jalisco. Meanwhile, the warning from Lázaro Cárdenas to Manzanillo was discontinued, with a new warning issued from Zihuatanejo to La Fortuna. All tropical storm watches in effect were discontinued by 0300 UTC the following morning, with the warning being extended from Zihuatanejo to Cabo Corrientes. After being upgraded to a hurricane, Erick prompted the issuance of hurricane watches stretching from Punta San Telmo to Cabo Corrientes. At 1500 UTC on July 6, a tropical storm watch was issued from Santa Fe to La Paz, though this was upgraded to a warning several hours later. Following many other revisions, all tropical cyclone watches and warnings were discontinued after Erick degenerated into a remnant low early on July 9.
In preparation for the tropical cyclone, an "orange" alert was issued for southern Michoacán, southern Jalisco, and the entire state of Colima, while a "yellow" alert was posted for the rest of the Jalisco coastline.{{cite news|title=Alertan por llegada de huracán Erick a Jaliso |url=http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/estados/2013/huracan-erick-jalisco-934272.html |newspaper=El Universal |date=July 6, 2013 |access-date=December 18, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131104060624/http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/estados/2013/huracan-erick-jalisco-934272.html |archive-date=November 4, 2013 |language=es}} The ports of Acapulco, Zihuatanejo, and Manzanillio were closed. In fear of flash flooding, residents along low-lying areas of Acapulco were urged to evacuate.{{cite news|title=La tormenta tropical Erick pone en alerta al pacifico mexicano|url=http://mexico.cnn.com/nacional/2013/07/05/la-tormenta-tropical-erick-pone-en-alerta-al-pacifico-mexicano|access-date=December 18, 2013|newspaper=CNN Mexico|date=July 5, 2013|language=es}} Meanwhile, the government of Michoacán ordered the suspension of shipping by boat.{{cite news|title=Suspenden navegación en Michoacán por Erick |url=http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/estados/2013/michoacan-tormenta-erick--934138.html |access-date=December 18, 2013 |newspaper=El Universal |date=December 18, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130709085950/http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/estados/2013/michoacan-tormenta-erick--934138.html |archive-date=July 9, 2013 |language=es}}
Despite remaining offshore, the outer rainbands of the storm affected the southwestern coastline with gusty winds and heavy rainfall,{{cite news|title=Autoridades de Acapulco, en alerta por tormenta Erick |url=http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/estados/2013/autoridades-de-acapulco-en-alerta-por-tormenta-erick-934008.html |access-date=December 18, 2013 |newspaper=El Universal |date=July 5, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130709035327/http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/estados/2013/autoridades-de-acapulco-en-alerta-por-tormenta-erick-934008.html |archive-date=July 9, 2013 |language=es}} with similar effects farther northwest.{{cite news|title=México seguirá afectado por lluvias|url=http://noticierostelevisa.esmas.com/clima/617154/mexico-seguira-afectado-lluvias/|access-date=December 18, 2013|newspaper=Noticierosa Televisa|date=July 5, 2013|language=es}} In Acapulco and Puerto Marques, the storm was responsible for minor flooding.{{cite news|author=Adriana Covarrubias |title=Acapulco y Zihuatanejo cierran bahías por Erick |url=http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/estados/2013/erick-tormenta-guerrero-acapulco-zihuatanejo-934135.html |access-date=December 18, 2013 |newspaper=El Universal |date=July 5, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130709035338/http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/estados/2013/erick-tormenta-guerrero-acapulco-zihuatanejo-934135.html |archive-date=July 9, 2013 |language=es}} Elsewhere across the state, damage was minor and mostly due to landslides.{{cite news|title="Erick"deja inundaciones en Guerrero|url=http://www.el-mexicano.com.mx/informacion/noticias/1/2/nacional/2013/07/05/681804/erickdeja-inundaciones-en-guerrero|access-date=December 18, 2013|newspaper=El Mexicano|date=July 6, 2013|language=es}} Along the coast of Colima, waves up to {{convert|9|ft|m|abbr=on}} were recorded.{{cite news|title=Amenaza Erick costa de Colima; registran marejadas |url=http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/estados/2013/amenaza-erick-costa-de-colima-registran-marejadas-934275.html |access-date=December 18, 2013 |newspaper=El Universal |date=July 6, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130710215701/http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/estados/2013/amenaza-erick-costa-de-colima-registran-marejadas-934275.html |archive-date=July 10, 2013 |language=es}} Although some flooding was reported across the state, damage was considered minor.
Further north, Erick brought extensive flood damage to Nayarit.{{cite news|title=Huracán Erick causa muerte e inundación en Nayarit|url=http://noticabos.org/2013/07/07/huracan-erick-causa-muerte-e-inundacion-en-nayarit/|access-date=December 18, 2013|newspaper=Noti Cabos|date=July 6, 2013|language=es}} A 74-year-old woman died while trying to escape her flooded house, while dozens of vehicles were damaged and several other streets and homes were flooded. One river overflowed its banks, affecting numerous cities. Officials in Nayarit attempted to rescue hundreds of people affected by Hurricane Erick, many of whom waited on streets to be rescued.{{cite news|title=Huracán Erick provoca inundaciones en Nayarit; en Colima cierran puerto |url=http://www.elfinanciero.com.mx/component/content/article/47-politicasociedad/21850-huracan-erick-provoca-inundaciones-en-nayarit-en-colima-cierran-puerto.html |access-date=December 18, 2013 |newspaper=Nototica |date=July 7, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131219064555/http://www.elfinanciero.com.mx/component/content/article/47-politicasociedad/21850-huracan-erick-provoca-inundaciones-en-nayarit-en-colima-cierran-puerto.html |archive-date=December 19, 2013 |language=es}} Dozens of families were directly affected by the storm. Substantial amounts of debris piled up on streets. Residents reported severe economical losses, especially in Xalisco, where a disaster declaration was necessary. Offshore, a waterspout was reported.{{cite news|last=Jiménez Padilla |first=Jesús |title=Huracán Erick provoca inundaciones en Nayarit; en Colima cierran puerto |url=http://www.elfinanciero.com.mx/component/content/article/47/21850.html |access-date=December 18, 2013 |newspaper=El Financiero |date=July 7, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130712155635/http://www.elfinanciero.com.mx/component/content/article/47/21850.html |archive-date=July 12, 2013 }} In Tepic, Governor Roberto Sandoval ordered a state of emergency. Damages from the storm in Nayarit totaled to MX$386.4 million (US$30.3 million).{{Cite web |last=García Arróliga |first=Norlang Marcel |last2=Marin Cambranis |first2=Rafael Humberto |last3=Méndez Estrada |first3=Karla Margarita |last4=Reyes Rodríguez |first4=Rosa |date=2013 |title=Impacto Socioeconómico de los Principales Desastres Ocurridos en la República Mexicana en 2013 |url=https://www.cenapred.unam.mx/es/Publicaciones/archivos/324-NO.15-IMPACTOSOCIOECONMICODELOSPRINCIPALESDESASTRESOCURRIDOSENMXICOENELAO2013.PDF |access-date=July 17, 2024 |website=cenapred.unam.mx}} Although the core of the system remained offshore, a "yellow" alert was issued for Baja California Sur. Heavy rain was recorded over much of the peninsula, resulting in flooding. The ports of La Paz, Cabo San Lucas, and San Jose del Cabo were closed due to high waves.{{cite news|title=BCS cierra puertos por tormenta tropical Erick |url=http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/estados/2013/tormenta-tropical-erick-lluvias-bcs-alerta-934645.html |access-date=July 8, 2013 |newspaper=El Universal |date=July 8, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130712160128/http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/estados/2013/tormenta-tropical-erick-lluvias-bcs-alerta-934645.html |archive-date=July 12, 2013 |language=es}} Additionally, a "green" alert was issued for Baja California.{{cite news|title=Erick se acerca a península de Baja California |url=http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/estados/2013/tormenta-erick-baja-california-934641.html |access-date=July 8, 2013 |newspaper=El Universal |date=July 8, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130712160123/http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/estados/2013/tormenta-erick-baja-california-934641.html |archive-date=July 12, 2013 |language=es}} In all, two people were killed while two others were missing.{{cite news|title=Tropical storm Erick leaves two dead and two missing in Mexico|url=http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2013/07/09/tropical-storm-erick-leaves-two-dead-and-two-missing-in-mexico/|access-date=July 21, 2013|date=July 9, 2013|agency=Agence France-Presse|archive-date=July 23, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130723042056/http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2013/07/09/tropical-storm-erick-leaves-two-dead-and-two-missing-in-mexico/|url-status=dead}}
See also
References
{{reflist|20em}}
External links
{{Commons category|Hurricane Erick (2013)}}
- [http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2013/ep05/ Hurricane Erick Advisory Archive]
{{2013 Pacific hurricane season buttons}}
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