Tropical Storm Arlene (2011)
Encyclopedia
Tropical Storm Arlene was a strong tropical storm that affected much of eastern Mexico
, as well as the first tropical cyclone
to form during the 2011 Atlantic hurricane season
. Originating from an Atlantic tropical wave, the precursor disturbance crossed the Yucatán Peninsula before emerging into the Bay of Campeche
over warm waters. Despite moderate shear conditions, the system organized and developed a low-level circulation, and by June 29 the formation of Arlene was issued. The storm remained vigorous for most of its duration, and on June 30 Arlene attained its peak intensity just prior to landfall on the coast of Veracruz
. Crossing the mountains of eastern Mexico, the system weakened into a tropical depression before dissipating early on July 1.
The tropical disturbance that preceded Arlene brought significant rainfall to parts of Central America, killing three people and triggering widespread flooding and landslides. Throughout Mexico, prolonged rains from Arlene and subsequent flooding affected hundreds of homes and several roads. Power was lost to 285,000 homes at the height of the storm, while many residents required evacuation. In the country, at least 22 people were confirmed dead due to the effects of Arlene. Despite the deaths and damage, its rains alleviated ongoing drought conditions in southern Texas and Florida.
embedded within an area of deep moisture that tracked westward across the central Caribbean Sea
for several days in late June. By June 24, it began interacting with the extension of a monsoon trough
over the western Caribbean, generating broad cyclonic flow
and scattered convection
in conjunction with support from an upper trough to the northwest. The amplified wave slowly proceeded toward the west-northwest along Central America
, bringing heavy precipitation to the area. Initially, development was impeded by the trough aloft and adjacent land, though the National Hurricane Center
(NHC) noted conditions favorable to tropical cyclogenesis
over the Bay of Campeche
, coupled with abating wind shear
. On June 26, the disturbance moved inland over the Yucatán Peninsula
; it emerged into the bay the next day as a surface low formed. Despite moderate shear, a Hurricane Hunters
flight into the system found a closed circulation center. Deep convection became more organized, and at midnight June 29 the NHC initiated advisories on Tropical Storm Arlene about 280 mi (450 km) south-southeast of Tampico, Tamaulipas, after surface winds increased to 40 mph (65 km/h).
Over the following hours, deep convection increased around the broad storm, though its center continued to lack in organization.
Arlene subsequently curved to the west in response to a ridge
of high pressure to its north and northwest, while shear aloft further decreased over the region. Owing to the decrease, the large storm began to strengthen gradually, as it developed spiral convective bands
closer to the circulation center. Although forecast models supported intensification to hurricane status, significant development was compromised by a lack of distinguishable central features. Just prior to landfall, Dvorak satellite estimates
indicated a peak intensity of 65 mph (100 km/h) on June 30, while the storm accelerated off the coast of Veracruz
. Arlene moved ashore near Cabo Rojo
as a strong tropical storm by 0900 UTC, with the severest winds confined to the north of the center.
Further inland, the storm turned to the west-southwest along the building ridge. Arlene gradually decreased in strength upon doing so; its mid- and low-level circulations became increasingly decoupled, with the latter exhibiting an elongated and ill-defined appearance. Early on July 1, Arlene was downgraded to a tropical depression, dissipating over the high terrain of the Sierra Madre Mountains
shortly thereafter. The remnant low of Arlene continued to produce heavy precipitation over the country, and with high pressure offshore a tight pressure gradient generated strong easterly breeze along Pacific coastlines. However, Arlene's remnants crossed over Mexico and into the Pacific Ocean, and then began to move northwestwards, as they slowly began to strengthen. The NCH assesed that Arlene's remnants had a low chance of redeveloping, as it moved to the southern tip of the Baja California
Peninsula. But on July 3, the remnants of Tropical Storm Arlene dissipated completely, just south of Baja California, without regenerating.
. Authorities issued a green alert for 13 departments in Honduras
on the afternoon of June 24, which was to remain in effect for 72 hours. Heavy rainfall and consequent flooding killed one person and collapsed a major bridge near the Goascorán River
, leaving about 600 families isolated from surrounding areas. Elsewhere in the country, a rockslide
occurred along a road to San José de Colinas
, and several rivers overflowed due to the effects of the storm.
In neighboring El Salvador
, maximum rainfall amounts totaled 8.34 in (212 mm). Two people drowned in San Miguel
, while 25 others were displaced in La Unión
due to the associated floods. On June 26, the departments of La Unión, Ahuachapán
, and Sonsonate
were put under green alerts for a day after rains persisted over the region. Scattered moderate showers also affected several parts of Nicaragua
, triggering mudslides and overflowing a river in Cuapa
. Along the riverside, 30 homes suffered inundations and 94 people evacuated the area.
, Guerrero, Puebla, and Oaxaca. Throughout the country, Arlene resulted in 22 confirmed fatalities and left one person missing.
, the system spread cloudiness and precipitation across much of the state, resulting in copious flooding. As a consequence, marine and fishing operations were suspended along coastlines, while many schools were closed in Benito Juárez
on June 28. Strong winds and scattered flooding damaged more than 450 homes in Chiapas
; rainfall accumulations of 9.3 in (237 mm) were recorded in Tapachula and Soconusco
over a 36-hour time span. Officials ordered the evacuation of about 150 families after two rivers in the region reached dangerous water levels. In addition, the Port of Chiapas halted operations for smaller vessels as a safety precaution, and 11 landslides were reported across the state. In the wake of Arlene, one fatality was confirmed in Chiapas due to the effects of the storm.
issued a tropical storm warning on June 29 for coastal areas from Barra de Nautla northward to Bahia Algodones. Later that day, a hurricane watch was put into effect for the area extending from Tuxpan to La Cruz, after the storm showed signs of strengthening. They were both extended shortly after, with the watch then reaching to Barra de Nautla and the warning further southward to Palma Sola, though the latter was simultaneously discontinued for areas to the north of La Pesca
. Prior to impact, the IMSS
activated a contingency plan
for risk zones in the states of Veracruz
and Tamaulipas
. Emergency crews and medical teams were subsequently dispatched to the area in order to supply medical care to possible victims and manage power plant water pumps in case of flooding. An alert was declared for Pemex
—a major oil company within the storm's projected path—in consideration of possible impact to refineries and other facilities.
Arlene brought strong thunderstorms and showers to much of the eastern Mexico, with gale
-force winds reported along adjacent coastlines. Upon landfall in Veracruz, Arlene uprooted trees and caused extensive flooding, prompting at least 1,786 people throughout the state to evacuate their homes. Over 50 temporary shelters were made available in flood-prone areas across various municipalities. Strong rains triggered a total 67 landslides in the state; a landslide in Tlalnelhuayocan collapsed two houses, killing one inhabitant and injuring 10 others. Additionally, mudslides and rockfall uprooted trees and damaged eight cars in Banerilla
, though no injuries were linked to the incident. In Tihuatlán
, a rescue worker was indirectly killed during the passage of the storm. In total, Arlene affected 3,358 residences across 50 municipalities; up to 2,000 homes were damaged in El Higo
. Localized rainfall accumulations exceeding 3.9 in (100 mm) brought on the overflow of some 28 rivers, as well as the isolation of 116 communities statewide. Other effects in Veracruz included considerable infrastructural failure, localized land subsidence, and three damaged schools in Coacoatzintla
. Road reconstruction costs totaled at least Mex$
126 million (US$10.2 million). In response to the devastation, the government declared a state of emergency for 65 percent of the state; by July 5, at least 62 municipalities remained under alert.
Authorities in Tamaulipas prompted the preparation of five shelters, as well as the mobilization of 10 emergency teams to evacuate up to 20,000 people in anticipation of adverse weather conditions. Extensive floods forced some 400 families to evacuate throughout the state; 70 trapped families in El Mante
were rescued from their flooded homes. At the height of the storm, high-voltage electrocutions caused two deaths in the municipalities of Tampico and Reynosa, while critically injuring two workers in Matamoros
. By July 4, two additional deaths were reported in the state, though their causes remain unspecified. Property damage was reported to approximately 40,000 homes, according to preliminary estimates. A state of emergency was declared in the municipalities of Tampico, Ciudad Madero
, Altamira, and González in the wake of the storm. Additionally, broken drains and sewers increased the risk of cholera
through contaminated water. Damage from the storm surmounted Mex$67 million (US$5.8 million) in Tamaulipas.
Further inland, authorities in Hidalgo activated 250 shelters and dispatched emergency workers as a safety measure. About 100 families required evacuation in the municipalities of Orizatlán
and Tlanchinol
as a consequence of the storm. Statewide, more than 80 landslides occurred due to the rains; a landslide in Jacala
resulted in at least two deaths. Swollen rivers in El Arenal
and Huejutla
drowned two people, who were later confirmed dead. In the wake of the disaster, the government of Hidalgo allocated a total Mex$17 million (US$1.45 million) in order to initiate rehabilitation work. However, total damage from the storm reached Mex$2.6 billion (US$207.4 million) across the state. In San Luis Potosí
, Arlene claimed the lives of five people, of which two drowned. Damaging landslides left dozens of communities isolated, and more than 600 residents evacuated flooded areas in particular in Ciudad Valles
, Tamazunchale
, El Naranjo
, and Xilitla.
, downpours triggered landslides that affected two roads, cutting them off to traffic. The storm felled trees that struck one home in the municipality of Zihuateutla
, killing its inhabitant. In Tlacotepec
, a girl was left missing after falling into a rushing stream; by July 4, officials confirmed she had drowned. After hours of prolonged rainfall, concerns arose over the potential risk of a dam in the municipality of Tlatlauquitepec
. Three houses sustained damage in Eloxochitlán as a consequence of excess soil saturation, with another reportedly collapsing in Atempan. Elsewhere, mucky flood waters of about 1.6 ft (0.5 m) in height affected a local school building when an adjacent river overflowed.
At the risk of flash flooding, public storm shelters were made available in parts of Oaxaca
. Rainfall inflicted damage to multiple roads and collapsed one bridge; communication was subsequently lost with over 12,000 people from Mixe–Zapotec
communities. The storm's remnants caused a landslide that overturned a taxi, killing one of its nine passengers. Post-storm conditions in Michoacán
—which was still recovering from the impact of Pacific Hurricane Beatriz
—worsened significantly; at least 1,600 homes sustained additional damage, with cut-off roads and severed bridges secluding multiple coastal communities in Aquila
. In Guerrero
, three people were killed in traffic accidents due to the adverse weather. Torrential rainfall throughout the state left one person missing and flooded 210 homes, with uprooted trees and rockfall reported along mountainous areas.
, moisture tracing behind Arlene produced showers, alleviating ongoing extreme drought conditions in the state. The National Weather Service
warned for the potential of flooding rains in the drought-stricken region of southern Texas
. Officials in Cameron County
ordered the preparation of sandbags, as well as the inspection of water pumps and vehicles to deal with floodwaters. In Hidalgo County
, the storm spawned a weak tornado
that damaged roofs, toppled vehicles, and injured one person prior to moving into Mexico
.
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
, as well as the first tropical cyclone
Tropical cyclone
A tropical cyclone is a storm system characterized by a large low-pressure center and numerous thunderstorms that produce strong winds and heavy rain. Tropical cyclones strengthen when water evaporated from the ocean is released as the saturated air rises, resulting in condensation of water vapor...
to form during the 2011 Atlantic hurricane season
2011 Atlantic hurricane season
The 2011 Atlantic hurricane season is tied for the third most active season on record with 1887, 1995 and 2010. It began on June 1, 2011, and ended on November 30, 2011, however these dates conventionally delimit the period of each year when most tropical cyclones develop in the Atlantic basin...
. Originating from an Atlantic tropical wave, the precursor disturbance crossed the Yucatán Peninsula before emerging into the Bay of Campeche
Bay of Campeche
The Bay of Campeche is the southern bight of the Gulf of Mexico. It is surrounded on three sides by the Mexican states of Campeche, Tabasco and Veracruz. It was named by Francisco Hernández de Córdoba and Antonio de Alaminos during their expedition in 1517...
over warm waters. Despite moderate shear conditions, the system organized and developed a low-level circulation, and by June 29 the formation of Arlene was issued. The storm remained vigorous for most of its duration, and on June 30 Arlene attained its peak intensity just prior to landfall on the coast of Veracruz
Veracruz
Veracruz, formally Veracruz de Ignacio de la Llave officially Estado Libre y Soberano de Veracruz de Ignacio de la Llave , is one of the 31 states that, along with the Federal District, comprise the 32 federative entities of Mexico. It is divided in 212 municipalities and its capital city is...
. Crossing the mountains of eastern Mexico, the system weakened into a tropical depression before dissipating early on July 1.
The tropical disturbance that preceded Arlene brought significant rainfall to parts of Central America, killing three people and triggering widespread flooding and landslides. Throughout Mexico, prolonged rains from Arlene and subsequent flooding affected hundreds of homes and several roads. Power was lost to 285,000 homes at the height of the storm, while many residents required evacuation. In the country, at least 22 people were confirmed dead due to the effects of Arlene. Despite the deaths and damage, its rains alleviated ongoing drought conditions in southern Texas and Florida.
Meteorological history
The origins of Tropical Storm Arlene trace back to a distinct tropical waveTropical wave
Tropical waves, easterly waves, or tropical easterly waves, also known as African easterly waves in the Atlantic region, are a type of atmospheric trough, an elongated area of relatively low air pressure, oriented north to south, which move from east to west across the tropics causing areas of...
embedded within an area of deep moisture that tracked westward across the central Caribbean Sea
Caribbean Sea
The Caribbean Sea is a sea of the Atlantic Ocean located in the tropics of the Western hemisphere. It is bounded by Mexico and Central America to the west and southwest, to the north by the Greater Antilles, and to the east by the Lesser Antilles....
for several days in late June. By June 24, it began interacting with the extension of a monsoon trough
Monsoon trough
The monsoon trough is that portion of the Intertropical Convergence Zone which extends into or through a monsoon circulation, as depicted by a line on a weather map showing the locations of minimum sea level pressure, and as such, is a convergence zone between the wind patterns of the southern and...
over the western Caribbean, generating broad cyclonic flow
Cyclone
In meteorology, a cyclone is an area of closed, circular fluid motion rotating in the same direction as the Earth. This is usually characterized by inward spiraling winds that rotate anticlockwise in the Northern Hemisphere and clockwise in the Southern Hemisphere of the Earth. Most large-scale...
and scattered convection
Atmospheric convection
Atmospheric convection is the result of a parcel-environment instability, or temperature difference, layer in the atmosphere. Different lapse rates within dry and moist air lead to instability. Mixing of air during the day which expands the height of the planetary boundary layer leads to...
in conjunction with support from an upper trough to the northwest. The amplified wave slowly proceeded toward the west-northwest along Central America
Central America
Central America is the central geographic region of the Americas. It is the southernmost, isthmian portion of the North American continent, which connects with South America on the southeast. When considered part of the unified continental model, it is considered a subcontinent...
, bringing heavy precipitation to the area. Initially, development was impeded by the trough aloft and adjacent land, though the National Hurricane Center
National Hurricane Center
The National Hurricane Center , located at Florida International University in Miami, Florida, is the division of the National Weather Service responsible for tracking and predicting weather systems within the tropics between the Prime Meridian and the 140th meridian west poleward to the 30th...
(NHC) noted conditions favorable to tropical cyclogenesis
Tropical cyclogenesis
Tropical cyclogenesis is the term that describes the development and strengthening of a tropical cyclone in the atmosphere. The mechanisms through which tropical cyclogenesis occurs are distinctly different from those through which mid-latitude cyclogenesis occurs...
over the Bay of Campeche
Bay of Campeche
The Bay of Campeche is the southern bight of the Gulf of Mexico. It is surrounded on three sides by the Mexican states of Campeche, Tabasco and Veracruz. It was named by Francisco Hernández de Córdoba and Antonio de Alaminos during their expedition in 1517...
, coupled with abating wind shear
Wind shear
Wind shear, sometimes referred to as windshear or wind gradient, is a difference in wind speed and direction over a relatively short distance in the atmosphere...
. On June 26, the disturbance moved inland over the Yucatán Peninsula
Yucatán Peninsula
The Yucatán Peninsula, in southeastern Mexico, separates the Caribbean Sea from the Gulf of Mexico, with the northern coastline on the Yucatán Channel...
; it emerged into the bay the next day as a surface low formed. Despite moderate shear, a Hurricane Hunters
Hurricane Hunters
The Hurricane Hunters are aircraft that fly into tropical cyclones in the North Atlantic Ocean and Northeastern Pacific Ocean for the specific purpose of directly measuring weather data in and around those storms. In the United States, the Air Force, Navy, and NOAA units have all participated in...
flight into the system found a closed circulation center. Deep convection became more organized, and at midnight June 29 the NHC initiated advisories on Tropical Storm Arlene about 280 mi (450 km) south-southeast of Tampico, Tamaulipas, after surface winds increased to 40 mph (65 km/h).
Over the following hours, deep convection increased around the broad storm, though its center continued to lack in organization.
Arlene subsequently curved to the west in response to a ridge
Ridge (meteorology)
A ridge is an elongated region of relatively high atmospheric pressure, the opposite of a trough....
of high pressure to its north and northwest, while shear aloft further decreased over the region. Owing to the decrease, the large storm began to strengthen gradually, as it developed spiral convective bands
Rainband
A rainband is a cloud and precipitation structure associated with an area of rainfall which is significantly elongated. Rainbands can be stratiform or convective, and are generated by differences in temperature. When noted on weather radar imagery, this precipitation elongation is referred to as...
closer to the circulation center. Although forecast models supported intensification to hurricane status, significant development was compromised by a lack of distinguishable central features. Just prior to landfall, Dvorak satellite estimates
Dvorak technique
The Dvorak technique is a widely used system to subjectively estimate tropical cyclone intensity based solely on visible and infrared satellite images. Several agencies issue Dvorak intensity numbers for cyclones of sufficient intensity...
indicated a peak intensity of 65 mph (100 km/h) on June 30, while the storm accelerated off the coast of Veracruz
Veracruz
Veracruz, formally Veracruz de Ignacio de la Llave officially Estado Libre y Soberano de Veracruz de Ignacio de la Llave , is one of the 31 states that, along with the Federal District, comprise the 32 federative entities of Mexico. It is divided in 212 municipalities and its capital city is...
. Arlene moved ashore near Cabo Rojo
Cabo Rojo (Mexico)
Cabo Rojo is a barrier of quartzite sand deposited adjacent to the coast of the Mexican state of Veracruz, about south of the city of Tampico, Tamaulipas. It encloses the brackish lagoon called Laguna de Tamiahua...
as a strong tropical storm by 0900 UTC, with the severest winds confined to the north of the center.
Further inland, the storm turned to the west-southwest along the building ridge. Arlene gradually decreased in strength upon doing so; its mid- and low-level circulations became increasingly decoupled, with the latter exhibiting an elongated and ill-defined appearance. Early on July 1, Arlene was downgraded to a tropical depression, dissipating over the high terrain of the Sierra Madre Mountains
Sierra Madre Oriental
The Sierra Madre Oriental is a mountain range in northeastern Mexico.-Setting:Spanning the Sierra Madre Oriental runs from Coahuila south through Nuevo León, southwest Tamaulipas, San Luis Potosí, Querétaro, and Hidalgo to northern Puebla, where it joins with the east-west running Eje Volcánico...
shortly thereafter. The remnant low of Arlene continued to produce heavy precipitation over the country, and with high pressure offshore a tight pressure gradient generated strong easterly breeze along Pacific coastlines. However, Arlene's remnants crossed over Mexico and into the Pacific Ocean, and then began to move northwestwards, as they slowly began to strengthen. The NCH assesed that Arlene's remnants had a low chance of redeveloping, as it moved to the southern tip of the Baja California
Baja California
Baja California officially Estado Libre y Soberano de Baja California is one of the 31 states which, with the Federal District, comprise the 32 Federal Entities of Mexico. It is both the northernmost and westernmost state of Mexico. Before becoming a state in 1953, the area was known as the North...
Peninsula. But on July 3, the remnants of Tropical Storm Arlene dissipated completely, just south of Baja California, without regenerating.
Central America
For several days, the precursor disturbance to Arlene produced significant precipitation along coastal Central America and the Yucatán PeninsulaYucatán Peninsula
The Yucatán Peninsula, in southeastern Mexico, separates the Caribbean Sea from the Gulf of Mexico, with the northern coastline on the Yucatán Channel...
. Authorities issued a green alert for 13 departments in Honduras
Honduras
Honduras is a republic in Central America. It was previously known as Spanish Honduras to differentiate it from British Honduras, which became the modern-day state of Belize...
on the afternoon of June 24, which was to remain in effect for 72 hours. Heavy rainfall and consequent flooding killed one person and collapsed a major bridge near the Goascorán River
Goascorán River
The Goascorán River or Río Goascorán is a river in Honduras and El Salvador that divides the two countries.-References:...
, leaving about 600 families isolated from surrounding areas. Elsewhere in the country, a rockslide
Rockslide
A rockslide is a type of landslide caused by rock failure in which part of the plane of failure passes through intact rock and where material collapses en masse and not in individual blocks.The mode of failure is different from that of a rock-fall....
occurred along a road to San José de Colinas
San José de Colinas
San José de Colinas is a town and municipality in the Honduran department of Santa Bárbara. As of 2007 it has a population of 4,045. San José de Colinas is a colorful city located two hours from San Pedro Sula.-Municipality:...
, and several rivers overflowed due to the effects of the storm.
In neighboring El Salvador
El Salvador
El Salvador or simply Salvador is the smallest and the most densely populated country in Central America. The country's capital city and largest city is San Salvador; Santa Ana and San Miguel are also important cultural and commercial centers in the country and in all of Central America...
, maximum rainfall amounts totaled 8.34 in (212 mm). Two people drowned in San Miguel
San Miguel Department (El Salvador)
San Miguel is a department of El Salvador in the eastern part of the country. The capital is San Miguel. It has 2,077 km² and a population of over 450,000...
, while 25 others were displaced in La Unión
La Unión Department
La Unión is a department of El Salvador. It is located in the eastern part of the country and its capital is La Unión. It covers a total of 2,074 km² and has a population of 300,000. The department was created on June 22, 1865 and the city of La Unión was made its capital...
due to the associated floods. On June 26, the departments of La Unión, Ahuachapán
Ahuachapán Department
Ahuachapán is a department of El Salvador in the west of the country. The capital is Ahuachapán. In the South it has the Apenca-Ilamatepec Range and the Cerro Grande de Apaneca...
, and Sonsonate
Sonsonate Department
Sonsonate is a department of El Salvador in the western part of the country. The capital is Sonsonate.The department has a population of over 500,000 and an area of 1,226 km².Created on June 12, 1824...
were put under green alerts for a day after rains persisted over the region. Scattered moderate showers also affected several parts of Nicaragua
Nicaragua
Nicaragua is the largest country in the Central American American isthmus, bordered by Honduras to the north and Costa Rica to the south. The country is situated between 11 and 14 degrees north of the Equator in the Northern Hemisphere, which places it entirely within the tropics. The Pacific Ocean...
, triggering mudslides and overflowing a river in Cuapa
San Francisco de Cuapa
San Francisco de Cuapa is a municipality in the Chontales department of Nicaragua. This municipality was created July 30 1997 and is located in the northeast section of Chontales. Before that date, the town was part of the municipality of Juigalpa. Its area is about . The principal business...
. Along the riverside, 30 homes suffered inundations and 94 people evacuated the area.
Mexico
Tropical Storm Arlene and its remnants produced hours of prolonged rainfall over much of northeastern and south-central Mexico. Widespread floods and landslides impacted multiple states, prompting evacuations and causing copious damage to property and infrastructure. At the height of the storm, about 285,000 households lost power throughout Mexico, though service was quickly restored to 210,000 homes. Schools remained closed in the morning throughout Hidalgo, as well as in parts of San Luis PotosíSan Luis Potosí
San Luis Potosí officially Estado Libre y Soberano de San Luis Potosí is one of the 31 states which, with the Federal District, comprise the 32 Federal Entities of Mexico. It is divided in 58 municipalities and its capital city is San Luis Potosí....
, Guerrero, Puebla, and Oaxaca. Throughout the country, Arlene resulted in 22 confirmed fatalities and left one person missing.
Yucatán Peninsula
Across the Yucatán Peninsula, officials and emergency workers braced for heavy rains as the system developed. Upon moving ashore near Quintana RooQuintana Roo
Quintana Roo officially Estado Libre y Soberano de Quintana Roo is one of the 31 states which, with the Federal District, comprise the 32 Federal Entities of Mexico. It is divided in 10 municipalities and its capital city is Chetumal....
, the system spread cloudiness and precipitation across much of the state, resulting in copious flooding. As a consequence, marine and fishing operations were suspended along coastlines, while many schools were closed in Benito Juárez
Benito Juárez, Quintana Roo
Benito Juárez is one of the ten municipalities of the Mexican state of Quintana Roo. Most of its population reside in the municipal seat, Cancún. It is named after the 19th century president and statesman Benito Juárez.- Location :...
on June 28. Strong winds and scattered flooding damaged more than 450 homes in Chiapas
Chiapas
Chiapas officially Estado Libre y Soberano de Chiapas is one of the 31 states that, with the Federal District, comprise the 32 Federal Entities of Mexico. It is divided in 118 municipalities and its capital city is Tuxtla Gutierrez. Other important cites in Chiapas include San Cristóbal de las...
; rainfall accumulations of 9.3 in (237 mm) were recorded in Tapachula and Soconusco
Soconusco
Soconusco is a region of the Mexican state of Chiapas, located in the extreme south of the state and separated from Guatemala by the Suchiate River. It is a region of rich lowlands and foothills. The economic center is Tapachula. Soconusco consists of 16 municipalities.The name comes from the...
over a 36-hour time span. Officials ordered the evacuation of about 150 families after two rivers in the region reached dangerous water levels. In addition, the Port of Chiapas halted operations for smaller vessels as a safety precaution, and 11 landslides were reported across the state. In the wake of Arlene, one fatality was confirmed in Chiapas due to the effects of the storm.
La Huasteca Region
In response to Arlene's formation, the government of MexicoFederal government of Mexico
The federal government of Mexico is the national government of the United Mexican States, the central government established by the Constitution of the United Mexican States to share sovereignty over the United Mexican States with the governments of the 31 individual Mexican states and to represent...
issued a tropical storm warning on June 29 for coastal areas from Barra de Nautla northward to Bahia Algodones. Later that day, a hurricane watch was put into effect for the area extending from Tuxpan to La Cruz, after the storm showed signs of strengthening. They were both extended shortly after, with the watch then reaching to Barra de Nautla and the warning further southward to Palma Sola, though the latter was simultaneously discontinued for areas to the north of La Pesca
La Pesca, Tamaulipas
La Pesca is a small town in the Mexican state of Tamaulipas. It is located on the Gulf of Mexico, at the mouth of the Río Soto La Marina, between the Laguna Madre to the north and the Laguna Morales to the south....
. Prior to impact, the IMSS
Mexican Social Security Institute
The Mexican Social Security Institute is a governmental organization that attends to public health, pensions and social security in Mexico operating under Secretaría de Salud .-History:...
activated a contingency plan
Contingency plan
A contingency plan is a plan devised for an exceptional risk which is impractical or impossible to avoid. Contingency plans are often devised by governments or businesses who want to be prepared for events which, while highly unlikely, may have catastrophic effects. For example, suppose many...
for risk zones in the states of Veracruz
Veracruz
Veracruz, formally Veracruz de Ignacio de la Llave officially Estado Libre y Soberano de Veracruz de Ignacio de la Llave , is one of the 31 states that, along with the Federal District, comprise the 32 federative entities of Mexico. It is divided in 212 municipalities and its capital city is...
and Tamaulipas
Tamaulipas
Tamaulipas officially Estado Libre y Soberano de Tamaulipas is one of the 31 states which, with the Federal District, comprise the 32 Federal Entities of Mexico. It is divided in 43 municipalities and its capital city is Ciudad Victoria. The capital city was named after Guadalupe Victoria, the...
. Emergency crews and medical teams were subsequently dispatched to the area in order to supply medical care to possible victims and manage power plant water pumps in case of flooding. An alert was declared for Pemex
Pemex
Petróleos Mexicanos or Pemex is a Mexican state-owned petroleum company. As of 2010, with a total asset worth of $415.75 billion, it is the second non-publicly listed largest company in the world by total market value, and Latin America's second largest enterprise by annual revenue as of 2009...
—a major oil company within the storm's projected path—in consideration of possible impact to refineries and other facilities.
Arlene brought strong thunderstorms and showers to much of the eastern Mexico, with gale
Gale
A gale is a very strong wind. There are conflicting definitions of how strong a wind must be to be considered a gale. The U.S. government's National Weather Service defines a gale as 34–47 knots of sustained surface winds. Forecasters typically issue gale warnings when winds of this strength are...
-force winds reported along adjacent coastlines. Upon landfall in Veracruz, Arlene uprooted trees and caused extensive flooding, prompting at least 1,786 people throughout the state to evacuate their homes. Over 50 temporary shelters were made available in flood-prone areas across various municipalities. Strong rains triggered a total 67 landslides in the state; a landslide in Tlalnelhuayocan collapsed two houses, killing one inhabitant and injuring 10 others. Additionally, mudslides and rockfall uprooted trees and damaged eight cars in Banerilla
Banderilla, Mexico
Banderilla is a municipality located in the montane central zone in the State of Veracruz, about 1 km from state capital Xalapa. It has a surface of 22.21 km2. It is located at...
, though no injuries were linked to the incident. In Tihuatlán
Tihuatlán (municipality)
Tihuatlán is a municipality located in the north zone in the State of Veracruz, about 316 km from state capital Xalapa. It has a surface of 828.29 km2. It is located at...
, a rescue worker was indirectly killed during the passage of the storm. In total, Arlene affected 3,358 residences across 50 municipalities; up to 2,000 homes were damaged in El Higo
El Higo
El Higo is a village and municipality in the Mexican state of Veracruz. It is located in the state's Huasteca Alta region.In the 2005 INEGI Census, the village of El Higo reported a total population of 7,844....
. Localized rainfall accumulations exceeding 3.9 in (100 mm) brought on the overflow of some 28 rivers, as well as the isolation of 116 communities statewide. Other effects in Veracruz included considerable infrastructural failure, localized land subsidence, and three damaged schools in Coacoatzintla
Coacoatzintla
Coacoatzintla in Veracruz, Mexico. It is located in the mountainous central zone of the State of Veracruz, about 11.5 km from state capital Xalapa. It has a surface of 51.00 km2...
. Road reconstruction costs totaled at least Mex$
Mexican peso
The peso is the currency of Mexico. Modern peso and dollar currencies have a common origin in the 15th–19th century Spanish dollar, most continuing to use its sign, "$". The Mexican peso is the 12th most traded currency in the world, the third most traded in the Americas, and by far the most...
126 million (US$10.2 million). In response to the devastation, the government declared a state of emergency for 65 percent of the state; by July 5, at least 62 municipalities remained under alert.
Authorities in Tamaulipas prompted the preparation of five shelters, as well as the mobilization of 10 emergency teams to evacuate up to 20,000 people in anticipation of adverse weather conditions. Extensive floods forced some 400 families to evacuate throughout the state; 70 trapped families in El Mante
Ciudad Mante
Mante formally Ciudad Mante is a city in the Mexican state of Tamaulipas. The city is the municipal seat of El Mante municipality in extreme southern Tamaulipas, and lies in the northwestern portion of the municipality. It had a 2005 census population of 81,884 inhabitants, or about 73 percent of...
were rescued from their flooded homes. At the height of the storm, high-voltage electrocutions caused two deaths in the municipalities of Tampico and Reynosa, while critically injuring two workers in Matamoros
Matamoros, Tamaulipas
Matamoros, officially known as Heroica Matamoros, is a city in the northeastern part of Tamaulipas, in the country of Mexico. It is located on the southern bank of the Rio Grande, directly across the border from Brownsville, Texas, in the United States. Matamoros is the second largest and second...
. By July 4, two additional deaths were reported in the state, though their causes remain unspecified. Property damage was reported to approximately 40,000 homes, according to preliminary estimates. A state of emergency was declared in the municipalities of Tampico, Ciudad Madero
Ciudad Madero
Madero, formally Ciudad Madero, is a city and its coextensive municipality in the state of Tamaulipas, Mexico. The city is located at 22.27°N, 97.83°W in the extreme southeastern part of the state, on the Gulf of Mexico, just north and east of Tampico but still on the banks of the Río Pánuco, and...
, Altamira, and González in the wake of the storm. Additionally, broken drains and sewers increased the risk of cholera
Cholera
Cholera is an infection of the small intestine that is caused by the bacterium Vibrio cholerae. The main symptoms are profuse watery diarrhea and vomiting. Transmission occurs primarily by drinking or eating water or food that has been contaminated by the diarrhea of an infected person or the feces...
through contaminated water. Damage from the storm surmounted Mex$67 million (US$5.8 million) in Tamaulipas.
Further inland, authorities in Hidalgo activated 250 shelters and dispatched emergency workers as a safety measure. About 100 families required evacuation in the municipalities of Orizatlán
Orizatlán
Orizatlán is a town and one of the 84 municipalities of Hidalgo, in central-eastern Mexico. The municipal seat lies at Orizatlán. The municipality covers an area of 308 km²....
and Tlanchinol
Tlanchinol
Tlanchinol is a town and one of the 84 municipalities of Hidalgo, in central-eastern Mexico. The municipality covers an area of .As of 2005, the municipality had a total population of 33,694....
as a consequence of the storm. Statewide, more than 80 landslides occurred due to the rains; a landslide in Jacala
Jacala
Jacala, officially Jacala de Ledezma is a town and one of the 84 municipalities of Hidalgo, in central-eastern Mexico. The municipal seat lies at Jacala de Ledezma . The municipality covers an area of 346.9 km²....
resulted in at least two deaths. Swollen rivers in El Arenal
El Arenal, Hidalgo
El Arenal is a town and one of the 84 municipalities of Hidalgo, in central-eastern Mexico. The municipality covers an area of 125.9 km².As of 2005, the municipality had a total population of 15,037....
and Huejutla
Huejutla de Reyes
Huejutla de Reyes is a town and one of the 84 municipalities of Hidalgo, in central-eastern Mexico.The municipality covers an area of 377.8 km². As of 2005, the municipality had a total population of 115,786....
drowned two people, who were later confirmed dead. In the wake of the disaster, the government of Hidalgo allocated a total Mex$17 million (US$1.45 million) in order to initiate rehabilitation work. However, total damage from the storm reached Mex$2.6 billion (US$207.4 million) across the state. In San Luis Potosí
San Luis Potosí
San Luis Potosí officially Estado Libre y Soberano de San Luis Potosí is one of the 31 states which, with the Federal District, comprise the 32 Federal Entities of Mexico. It is divided in 58 municipalities and its capital city is San Luis Potosí....
, Arlene claimed the lives of five people, of which two drowned. Damaging landslides left dozens of communities isolated, and more than 600 residents evacuated flooded areas in particular in Ciudad Valles
Ciudad Valles
Ciudad Valles is the second-largest city in the Mexican state of San Luis Potosí. It is located in the eastern part of the state at . The city is also the municipal seat of the surrounding municipality of the same name. The city had a 2005 census population of 116,261, while the municipality's...
, Tamazunchale
Tamazunchale
Tamazunchale is a town and municipality in the state of San Luis Potosí, central Mexico.-Etymology:The name Tamazunchale comes from the Huastec language, and means "Place of the Government"; it was the Huastec capital around the 1400s.-History:...
, El Naranjo
El Naranjo
El Naranjo is a town and municipality in San Luis Potosí in central Mexico.-References:...
, and Xilitla.
Elsewhere
In PueblaPuebla
Puebla officially Estado Libre y Soberano de Puebla is one of the 31 states which, with the Federal District, comprise the 32 Federal Entities of Mexico. It is divided in 217 municipalities and its capital city is Puebla....
, downpours triggered landslides that affected two roads, cutting them off to traffic. The storm felled trees that struck one home in the municipality of Zihuateutla
Zihuateutla (municipality)
Zihuateutla is a town and municipality in Puebla in south-eastern Mexico....
, killing its inhabitant. In Tlacotepec
Tlacotepec de Benito Juárez (municipality)
Tlacotepec de Benito Juárez is a town and municipality in Puebla in south-eastern Mexico.]]....
, a girl was left missing after falling into a rushing stream; by July 4, officials confirmed she had drowned. After hours of prolonged rainfall, concerns arose over the potential risk of a dam in the municipality of Tlatlauquitepec
La Magdalena Tlatlauquitepec
La Magdalena Tlatlauquitepec is a town and municipality in Puebla in south-eastern Mexico.The BUAP has a Foreign Academic Unit there.-References:...
. Three houses sustained damage in Eloxochitlán as a consequence of excess soil saturation, with another reportedly collapsing in Atempan. Elsewhere, mucky flood waters of about 1.6 ft (0.5 m) in height affected a local school building when an adjacent river overflowed.
At the risk of flash flooding, public storm shelters were made available in parts of Oaxaca
Oaxaca
Oaxaca , , officially Estado Libre y Soberano de Oaxaca is one of the 31 states which, along with the Federal District, comprise the 32 federative entities of Mexico. It is divided into 571 municipalities; of which 418 are governed by the system of customs and traditions...
. Rainfall inflicted damage to multiple roads and collapsed one bridge; communication was subsequently lost with over 12,000 people from Mixe–Zapotec
Zapotec civilization
The Zapotec civilization was an indigenous pre-Columbian civilization that flourished in the Valley of Oaxaca of southern Mesoamerica. Archaeological evidence shows their culture goes back at least 2500 years...
communities. The storm's remnants caused a landslide that overturned a taxi, killing one of its nine passengers. Post-storm conditions in Michoacán
Michoacán
Michoacán officially Estado Libre y Soberano de Michoacán de Ocampo is one of the 31 states which, with the Federal District, comprise the 32 Federal Entities of Mexico. It is divided in 113 municipalities and its capital city is Morelia...
—which was still recovering from the impact of Pacific Hurricane Beatriz
Hurricane Beatriz (2011)
Hurricane Beatriz was a Category 1 hurricane that killed four people after brushing the western coast of Mexico. Originating from an area of disturbed weather on June 19, several hundred miles south of Mexico, Beatriz gradually intensified. Gaining latitude, the system became increasingly...
—worsened significantly; at least 1,600 homes sustained additional damage, with cut-off roads and severed bridges secluding multiple coastal communities in Aquila
Aquila, Michoacán
Aquila is a town in the northwest part of the Mexican state of Michoacán. It is 23 mi/43 km southeast of Tecoman. Its population was 1,915 in 2002. It is located at Latitude: 18°35'N Longitude: 103°31'W and at elevation 989 ft/510 m. It has harsh terrain. Agriculture consists of small...
. In Guerrero
Guerrero
Guerrero officially Estado Libre y Soberano de Guerrero is one of the 31 states which, with the Federal District, comprise the 32 Federal Entities of Mexico. It is divided in 81 municipalities and its capital city is Chilpancingo....
, three people were killed in traffic accidents due to the adverse weather. Torrential rainfall throughout the state left one person missing and flooded 210 homes, with uprooted trees and rockfall reported along mountainous areas.
United States
In FloridaFlorida
Florida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it...
, moisture tracing behind Arlene produced showers, alleviating ongoing extreme drought conditions in the state. The National Weather Service
National Weather Service
The National Weather Service , once known as the Weather Bureau, is one of the six scientific agencies that make up the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration of the United States government...
warned for the potential of flooding rains in the drought-stricken region of southern Texas
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
. Officials in Cameron County
Cameron County, Texas
Cameron County is the southernmost county located in the U.S. state of Texas. In 2010, its population was 406,220. Its county seat is Brownsville. Cameron was founded in 1848...
ordered the preparation of sandbags, as well as the inspection of water pumps and vehicles to deal with floodwaters. In Hidalgo County
Hidalgo County, Texas
Hidalgo County is a county located in the U.S. state of Texas. Located in the Rio Grande Valley of South Texas, Hidalgo County is one of the fastest-growing counties in the United States, and is the seventh most-populous county in Texas. Its population in 2010 was 774,769, a 35% increase from 2000...
, the storm spawned a weak tornado
Tornado
A tornado is a violent, dangerous, rotating column of air that is in contact with both the surface of the earth and a cumulonimbus cloud or, in rare cases, the base of a cumulus cloud. They are often referred to as a twister or a cyclone, although the word cyclone is used in meteorology in a wider...
that damaged roofs, toppled vehicles, and injured one person prior to moving into Mexico
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
.
See also
- Hurricane StanHurricane StanHurricane Stan was the eighteenth named tropical storm and eleventh hurricane of the 2005 Atlantic hurricane season. It was also the sixth of seven tropical cyclones to make landfall in Mexico. Stan was a relatively weak storm that only briefly reached hurricane status...
- 2011 Atlantic hurricane season2011 Atlantic hurricane seasonThe 2011 Atlantic hurricane season is tied for the third most active season on record with 1887, 1995 and 2010. It began on June 1, 2011, and ended on November 30, 2011, however these dates conventionally delimit the period of each year when most tropical cyclones develop in the Atlantic basin...
- Other storms of the same name
External links
- The NHCNational Hurricane CenterThe National Hurricane Center , located at Florida International University in Miami, Florida, is the division of the National Weather Service responsible for tracking and predicting weather systems within the tropics between the Prime Meridian and the 140th meridian west poleward to the 30th...
's advisory archive on Tropical Storm Arlene - The NHCNational Hurricane CenterThe National Hurricane Center , located at Florida International University in Miami, Florida, is the division of the National Weather Service responsible for tracking and predicting weather systems within the tropics between the Prime Meridian and the 140th meridian west poleward to the 30th...
's graphics archive on Tropical Storm Arlene