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Tropical Storm Bret (2005)
Encyclopedia
Tropical Storm Bret was a short-lived tropical storm
of the 2005 Atlantic hurricane season
that made landfall
in the Mexican state of Veracruz
, the first of four during the season. The second named storm of the season, Bret developed along a tropical wave
on June 28 in the Bay of Campeche
, and quickly intensified. Tracking to the west-northwest, Bret moved ashore within 24 hours of forming, and dissipated shortly thereafter.
Bret was the first of six tropical cyclones (three hurricanes, two of them major, and three tropical storms) to make landfall in Mexico during the season. With the formation of the tropical storm on June 28, the 2005 season became the first since 1986
with two storms in the month of June. The storm dropped heavy rainfall along its path, peaking at 266 mm (10.67 inches), which caused flooding and one drowning death. About 7,500 people were affected, and damage totaled over 100 million pesos (2005 MXN, $9.3 million 2005 USD, $10.3 million 2008 USD).
accompanied by a weak surface low pressure area
crossed Central America
and eastern Mexico
from June 24 through June 27. An area of disturbed weather associated with the system moved into the Bay of Campeche
early on June 28, though initially unfavorable upper-level wind shear
and land interaction limited initial development. It tracked west-northwestward at 8–16 km/h (5–10 mph), and after moving into open waters the organization of deep convection increased with curved banding features developing. Based on data from a Hurricane Hunters
flight into the system, it is estimated it developed into Tropical Depression Two at 18:00 UTC on June 28, while located about 100 km (62.1 mi) northeast of the city of Veracruz
. At the time of its first advisory, the government of Mexico
issued a tropical storm warning
from Veracruz to Tampico
.
About four hours after formation, the depression intensified into Tropical Storm Bret, upon which it attained a minimum central pressure of 1002 mbar
. Shortly thereafter, its appearance on radar deteriorated, and convection warmed around the center. With a mid-level anticyclone
over Texas
, Bret tracked steadily to the west-northwest, and began to re-organize just before moving ashore; at 12:00 UTC on June 29, the storm made landfall
just southeast of Tuxpan
with winds of 65 km/h (40 mph). After crossing the coast, the storm quickly degenerated to tropical depression status, though Bret retained a well-organized cloud pattern with deep convection. The center turned to the north-northwest, and early on June 30 Bret dissipated inland over Mexico.
By shortly after the passage of the storm, the government of Veracruz opened 6,000 emergency storm shelters for impacted citizens. Floodwaters from the rainfall inundated scores of houses and cars, with a total of 7,500 families in Veracruz directly affected by the storm. The Mexican Army, combined with the efforts of police officers and state officials, worked with amphibious vehicles to rescue families in flooded houses, of whom many waited on rooftops; according to reports from the Civil Defense of the government of Veracruz, a person drowned in the city of Cerro Azul
. Several people were reported missing, as well. Landslides from the flooding cut communications and left 66 villages temporarily isolated. Across Veracruz, the most affected localities were Naranjos, Chinampa de Gorostiza
, Tamalín
, Tantima
, Benito Juárez
, Tamiahua
, and Tempoal de Sánchez. The government of Veracruz declared a state of emergency for 14 municipalities
. Damage in the state totaled over 100 million pesos (2005 MXN, $9.3 million 2005 USD, $10.3 million 2008 USD); the state government requested reconstruction aid amounting to the equivalent of the damage total.
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...
of the 2005 Atlantic hurricane season
2005 Atlantic hurricane season
The 2005 Atlantic hurricane season was the most active Atlantic hurricane season in recorded history, repeatedly shattering numerous records. The impact of the season was widespread and ruinous with an estimated 3,913 deaths and record damage of about $159.2 billion...
that made landfall
Landfall (meteorology)
Landfall is the event of a tropical cyclone or a waterspout coming onto land after being over water. When a waterspout makes landfall it is reclassified as a tornado, which can then cause damage inland...
in the Mexican state 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...
, the first of four during the season. The second named storm of the season, Bret developed along a tropical wave
Tropical 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...
on June 28 in 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...
, and quickly intensified. Tracking to the west-northwest, Bret moved ashore within 24 hours of forming, and dissipated shortly thereafter.
Bret was the first of six tropical cyclones (three hurricanes, two of them major, and three tropical storms) to make landfall in Mexico during the season. With the formation of the tropical storm on June 28, the 2005 season became the first since 1986
1986 Atlantic hurricane season
The 1986 Atlantic hurricane season officially began on June 1, 1986, and lasted until November 30, 1986. These dates conventionally delimit the period of each year when most tropical cyclones form in the Atlantic basin...
with two storms in the month of June. The storm dropped heavy rainfall along its path, peaking at 266 mm (10.67 inches), which caused flooding and one drowning death. About 7,500 people were affected, and damage totaled over 100 million pesos (2005 MXN, $9.3 million 2005 USD, $10.3 million 2008 USD).
Meteorological history
A 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...
accompanied by a weak surface low pressure area
Low pressure area
A low-pressure area, or "low", is a region where the atmospheric pressure at sea level is below that of surrounding locations. Low-pressure systems form under areas of wind divergence which occur in upper levels of the troposphere. The formation process of a low-pressure area is known as...
crossed 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...
and eastern 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...
from June 24 through June 27. An area of disturbed weather associated with the system moved 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...
early on June 28, though initially unfavorable upper-level 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...
and land interaction limited initial development. It tracked west-northwestward at 8–16 km/h (5–10 mph), and after moving into open waters the organization of deep convection increased with curved banding features developing. Based on data from 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, it is estimated it developed into Tropical Depression Two at 18:00 UTC on June 28, while located about 100 km (62.1 mi) northeast of the city of Veracruz
Veracruz, Veracruz
Veracruz, officially known as Heroica Veracruz, is a major port city and municipality on the Gulf of Mexico in the Mexican state of Veracruz. The city is located in the central part of the state. It is located along Federal Highway 140 from the state capital Xalapa, and is the state's most...
. At the time of its first advisory, the government of 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...
issued a tropical storm warning
Tropical cyclone warnings and watches
Warnings and watches are two levels of alert issued by national weather forecasting bodies to coastal areas threatened by the imminent approach of a tropical cyclone of tropical storm or hurricane intensity. They are notices to the local population and civil authorities to make appropriate...
from Veracruz to Tampico
Tampico
Tampico is a city and port in the state of Tamaulipas, in the country of Mexico. It is located in the southeastern part of the state, directly north across the border from Veracruz. Tampico is the third largest city in Tamaulipas, and counts with a population of 309,003. The Metropolitan area of...
.
About four hours after formation, the depression intensified into Tropical Storm Bret, upon which it attained a minimum central pressure of 1002 mbar
Bar (unit)
The bar is a unit of pressure equal to 100 kilopascals, and roughly equal to the atmospheric pressure on Earth at sea level. Other units derived from the bar are the megabar , kilobar , decibar , centibar , and millibar...
. Shortly thereafter, its appearance on radar deteriorated, and convection warmed around the center. With a mid-level anticyclone
Anticyclone
An anticyclone is a weather phenomenon defined by the United States' National Weather Service's glossary as "[a] large-scale circulation of winds around a central region of high atmospheric pressure, clockwise in the Northern Hemisphere, counterclockwise in the Southern Hemisphere"...
over 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...
, Bret tracked steadily to the west-northwest, and began to re-organize just before moving ashore; at 12:00 UTC on June 29, the storm made landfall
Landfall (meteorology)
Landfall is the event of a tropical cyclone or a waterspout coming onto land after being over water. When a waterspout makes landfall it is reclassified as a tornado, which can then cause damage inland...
just southeast of Tuxpan
Tuxpan
Tuxpan is both a municipality and city located in the Mexican state of Veracruz. The population of the city was 78,523 and of the municipality was 134,394 inhabitants, according to the INEGI census of 2005, residing in a total area of 1,051.89 km²...
with winds of 65 km/h (40 mph). After crossing the coast, the storm quickly degenerated to tropical depression status, though Bret retained a well-organized cloud pattern with deep convection. The center turned to the north-northwest, and early on June 30 Bret dissipated inland over Mexico.
Impact
Tropical Storm Bret produced heavy rainfall along its path, with a peak 24–hour rainfall total of 266 mm (10.47 inches) recorded in El Raudal, Veracruz; several other locations reported over 4 inches (100 mm) of precipitation. The rainfall caused widespread flooding in Veracruz, especially in the city of Naranjos where an overflown river flooded portions of the city with 2 m (7 ft) of water. Several other rivers reported river flooding.By shortly after the passage of the storm, the government of Veracruz opened 6,000 emergency storm shelters for impacted citizens. Floodwaters from the rainfall inundated scores of houses and cars, with a total of 7,500 families in Veracruz directly affected by the storm. The Mexican Army, combined with the efforts of police officers and state officials, worked with amphibious vehicles to rescue families in flooded houses, of whom many waited on rooftops; according to reports from the Civil Defense of the government of Veracruz, a person drowned in the city of Cerro Azul
Cerro Azul, Veracruz
Cerro Azul is a city in the Mexican state of Veracruz. Located in the state's Huasteca Baja region, it serves as the municipal seat for the surrounding municipality of the same name.In the 2005 INEGI Census, the city reported a total population of23,573....
. Several people were reported missing, as well. Landslides from the flooding cut communications and left 66 villages temporarily isolated. Across Veracruz, the most affected localities were Naranjos, Chinampa de Gorostiza
Chinampa de Gorostiza
Chinampa de Gorostiza is in Veracruz, Mexico. It is located in the north of the State of Veracruz, about 220 km from state capital Xalapa. It has a surface of 152.99 km2...
, Tamalín
Tamalín
Tamalín is a municipality located in the north zone in the State of Veracruz. It has a surface of 417.85 km2. It is located at . By Decree of November 13, 1875 there was raised in municipality Tamalín's congregation that concerned to Tantima's municipality....
, Tantima
Tantima
Tantima is a municipality located in the montane central zone in the State of Veracruz, about 220 km from state capital Xalapa. It has a surface of 267.32 km2. It is located at . It is a village huasteco very ancient; the name is given of it steals of producing tree of a few fruits known also...
, Benito Juárez
Benito Juárez, Veracruz
Benito Juárez is a village in the Mexican state of Veracruz. Located in the state's Huasteca Baja region, it serves as the municipal seat for the surrounding municipality of the same name....
, Tamiahua
Tamiahua
Tamiahua is a municipality located in the north zone in the State of Veracruz. It has a surface of 985.4 km2. It is located at . The name comes from the náhuatl...
, and Tempoal de Sánchez. The government of Veracruz declared a state of emergency for 14 municipalities
Municipalities of Veracruz
The Mexican state of Veracruz is subdivided into 212 municipalities :-External links:* *...
. Damage in the state totaled over 100 million pesos (2005 MXN, $9.3 million 2005 USD, $10.3 million 2008 USD); the state government requested reconstruction aid amounting to the equivalent of the damage total.
See also
- 2005 Atlantic hurricane season2005 Atlantic hurricane seasonThe 2005 Atlantic hurricane season was the most active Atlantic hurricane season in recorded history, repeatedly shattering numerous records. The impact of the season was widespread and ruinous with an estimated 3,913 deaths and record damage of about $159.2 billion...
- List of storms in the 2005 Atlantic hurricane season
- Timeline of the 2005 Atlantic hurricane seasonTimeline of the 2005 Atlantic hurricane seasonThe timeline of the 2005 Atlantic hurricane season documents the formations, strengthenings, weakenings, landfalls, extratropical transitions, and dissipations of the season's tropical and subtropical storms. The 2005 Atlantic hurricane season was the most active Atlantic hurricane season in...