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Tropical Storm Hermine (1980)

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Tropical Storm Hermine
Tropical Storm (SSHWS/NWS)
A picture of a tropical storm, it looks like a large area of clouds
Tropical Storm Hermine on September 22
FormedSeptember 20, 1980
DissipatedSeptember 26, 1980
Highest winds1-minute sustained: 70 mph (110 km/h)
Lowest pressure993 mbar (hPa); 29.32 inHg
FatalitiesAt least 38 direct
Areas affectedCentral America, Mexico
Part of the 1980 Atlantic hurricane season

Tropical Storm Hermine was the eleventh tropical cyclone as well as the eight named storm of the 1980 Atlantic hurricane season. Hermine developed from a tropical wave which moved off the coast of Africa on September 11. It began to cross the Caribbean over the next several days, thought a there was no evidence of a closed circulation. Finally, by September 20, a well-defined circulation became present; this allowed the system to become classified as Tropical Depression Eleven. Over the next few days, it strengthened into Tropical Storm Hermine and nearly became a hurricane before it made landfall in Belize as a strong tropical storm.

Hermine emerged into the Gulf of Mexico on September 23. Tropical Storm Hermine began to re-strengthen slightly, nearly reaching hurricane status again on September 24. It made landfall on the Mexico mainland on September 24 before it could become a hurricane. Tropical Storm Hermine dissipated over Mexico by September 26. Torrential rains produced by the storm resulted in widespread flooding in Mexico, killing at least 30 people, with dozens more missing, and leaving 25,000 homeless. Additionally, landslides triggered by Hermine in Guatemala killed at least eight people.

Meteorological history

A path of a tropical storm, it starts in the Caribbean, hits Belize, enters the Gulf of Mexico, makes landfall in Mexico and then it dissipated over land
Map plotting the storm's track and intensity, according to the Saffir–Simpson scale
Map key
Saffir–Simpson scale
  Tropical depression (≤38 mph, ≤62 km/h)
  Tropical storm (39–73 mph, 63–118 km/h)
  Category 1 (74–95 mph, 119–153 km/h)
  Category 2 (96–110 mph, 154–177 km/h)
  Category 3 (111–129 mph, 178–208 km/h)
  Category 4 (130–156 mph, 209–251 km/h)
  Category 5 (≥157 mph, ≥252 km/h)
  Unknown
Storm type
triangle Extratropical cyclone, remnant low, tropical disturbance, or monsoon depression

Tropical Storm Hermine formed from a tropical wave that emerged into the Atlantic from the off coast of Africa on September 11. This tropical wave did not have a well-defined circulation. The tropical wave continued on a westerly course across the Atlantic. While the tropical wave was a few hundred miles east of Lesser Antilles, a low level cloud banding feature appear, along with an increase in central convection. This suggested could have possibly been a low-level circulation. On the afternoon of September 17, an Air Force Reserve flight investigated this system, though it discovered little evidence of a low-level circulation. The system had crossed the Lesser Antilles on September 18, it had entered the Caribbean Sea. As it passed near Jamaica on September 20, a low-level circulation became more apparent on satellite imagery.[1]

Late on September 20 the National Hurricane Center began classifying the system as Tropical Depression Eleven. It had been upgraded approximately 237 miles (381 kilometers) to the south of Kingston, Jamaica.[2] Tropical Depression Eleven tracked to the west-by-north toward the northeast coast of Honduras. By September 21, Tropical Depression Eleven was upgraded to a tropical storm, it had received the name Hermine.[3] Later that day, Tropical Storm Hermine passed within 5 miles of the northeast coast of Honduras. An Air Force Reserve flight investigated if landfall occurred;[4] Tropical Storm Hermine had remained offshore. After Tropical Storm Hermine moved to the northwest away from Honduras, maximum sustained winds began to increase. By September 22 maximum sustained winds had reached 70 miles per hour (112.6 km/h).[1]

Hermine maintained this intensity when it made landfall just to the north of Belize City later that day.[5] Over the Yucatan Peninsula, Tropical Storm Hermine weakened somewhat to a 50 mph (80.4 km/h) tropical storm. Tropical Storm Hermine emerged into the Bay of Campeche on September 23 near the border of the Mexican states of Chiapas and Campeche. Almost immediately after emerging into the Bay, Tropical Storm Hermine began to re-strengthen. Hermine changed direction from northwest to north-northwest after it emerged into the Bay of Campeche, Tropical Storm Hermine would also briefly head due west before again changing to a west-southwestward course. Maximum sustained winds increased to 70 mph (112.6 km/h) again on September 23, though it was at peak intensity this time because the minimum central pressure was lower than before.[1]

An area of clouds on the coast of Mexico
Tropical Storm Hermine at landfall in Mexico

Around this point, late on September 23, Tropical Storm Hermine became stationary. Tropical Storm Hermine weakened slightly to a 65 mph (104.6 km/h) tropical storm before it made landfall near Coatzacoalcos, Mexico on September 24. Hermine continued to move slowly inland over Mexico, which resulted in rapid weakening. By 24 hours after landfall, it was a minimal tropical storm. Tropical Storm Hermine stalled again, simultaneously, it had also been downgraded to a tropical depression. Hermine remained stationary for several more hours near Oaxaca.[1] On September 26, a center could not be located, so it was declared dissipated at this time.[6] The remnants of Tropical Storm Hermine traveled along most of the Pacific coast of Mexico, the remnants ultimately entered Texas before dissipating.

Impact

A map showing rainfall from Tropical Storm Hermine
Rainfall from Tropical Storm Hermine

The forecast tracks of Tropical Storm Hermine were greatly inaccurate. Many predicted a turn to the northwest or north-northwest eventually reaching the northeast coast of Mexico or southern Texas. These inaccuracies were occurring even when it began to drift south-southwestward. Sometimes it was also inaccurate when predicting how quickly Hermine would dissipate. On September 21 the government of Belize issued a gale warnings, as well as a hurricane watch, for most of the eastern coast of the country.[1] It was canceled after Tropical Storm Hermine had moved inland.[7] In eastern Mexico, an estimated 15,000 people evacuated from low-lying areas.[8] Officials in Mexico urged numerous residents along the southern Gulf of Mexico coast and surrounding states to evacuate prior to the storm's arrival. Timely warnings were later credited for reducing the loss of life.[9]

Crossing the southern Yucatán Peninsula, Tropical storm Hermine brought locally heavy rains and strong winds to eastern Mexico and much of Belize – then a colony of the United Kingdom.[8] In Quintana Roo, more than 7 in (180 mm) of rain fell in localized areas,[10] leading to floods. The storm also temporarily knocked out communication to all of Belize and Chetumal, Mexico. According to officials in the region, little damage took place during Hermine's passage.[8] Heavy rains in Guatemala triggered landslides, killing at least eight people after crushing a bus. Portions of the Pan American Highway were shut down due to debris.[11]

Tropical Storm Hermine and the remnants caused heavy rainfall across along most of the southern and eastern parts of Mexico. Rainfall from Tropical Storm Hermine peak at 31.15 in (791 mm) in San Pedro Tapanatepec, Oaxaca. When the remnants of Hermine reached the Pacific coast of Mexico, several inches of rain were recorded.[10] Throughout the country, the hardest hit areas were Veracruz, Oaxaca, Chiapas and Guerrero.[9] More than 30 people were killed by the storm and dozens more left missing.[12] Ten districts in Mexico City were brought to a standstill as flood waters blocked off streets.[13] In the small towns of Cintalapa and Jiquiplan, flooding killed 8 people and left 20 more missing.[12] In addition to the loss of life, at least 25,000 residents were left homeless due to severe flooding.[13] Two small dams broke due to excessive rains near Tuxtla Gutiérrez, prompting the evacuation of 2,000 residents in nearby areas.[14] In response to the storm, an estimated 15,000 personnel were deployed to assist in relief efforts.[13]

See also

Reference

  1. ^ a b c d e Miles B. Lawrence (1980). "Tropical Storm Hermine Preliminary Report". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved 15 March 2010.
  2. ^ Gilbert Clark (September 20, 1980). "Tropical Depression Advisory". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved 15 March 2010.
  3. ^ Gilbert Clark (September 21, 1980). "Tropical Storm Hermine Advisory Number 1". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved 15 March 2010.
  4. ^ Gilbert Clark (September 21, 1980). "Tropical Storm Hermine Intermediate Advisory". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved 15 March 2010.
  5. ^ Herbert Paul (September 22, 1980). "Tropical Storm Hermine Advisory Number 5". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved 15 March 2010.
  6. ^ Miles B. Lawrence (September 25, 1980). "Tropical Depression Hermine Advisory Number 18". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved 15 March 2010.
  7. ^ Joseph Pelissier (September 21, 1980). "Tropical Storm Hermine Advisory Number 3". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved 17 March 2010.
  8. ^ a b c United Press International (September 23, 1980). "After lashing Belize, Hermine heads into gulf area". The Bulletin. p. 19. Retrieved April 3, 2011.
  9. ^ a b Associated Press (September 28, 1980). "Mexico Floods Leave Six Dead". The News and Courier. p. 2A. Retrieved April 3, 2011.
  10. ^ a b David M. Roth (2008). "Tropical Storm Hermine - September 22–29, 1980". National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved 17 March 2010.
  11. ^ United Press International (September 25, 1980). "Tropical storm weakens". Record-Journal. p. 39. Retrieved April 3, 2011.
  12. ^ a b United Press International (September 29, 1980). "Hermine leaves 30 dead in Mexico". Montreal Gazette. p. 39. Retrieved April 3, 2011.
  13. ^ a b c Post Wire Services (September 28, 1980). "Hermine Kills 19 In Mexico". The Palm Beach Post. p. A19. Retrieved April 3, 2011.
  14. ^ Unattributed (September 26, 1980). "Hermine causes Mexican floods". Lakeland Ledger. p. 9A. Retrieved April 3, 2011.
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