Tropical Storm Hermine (2010)
Encyclopedia
Tropical Storm Hermine was a rare basin-crossing tropical cyclone
that caused widespread damage from Guatemala
to Oklahoma
in early September 2010. The system was first classified as Tropical Depression Eleven-E on September 3 in the Gulf of Tehuantepec
. Failing to intensify, the depression tracked northwestward, moving inland near Salina Cruz
, Mexico before weakening to a low pressure system. However, early on September 5, the system moved back over water, entering the Gulf of Mexico
, and restrengthened. Later that day it was reclassified as Atlantic Tropical Depression Ten. By September 6, the system intensified into a tropical storm, earning the name Hermine, and quickly intensified as it approached the northern Mexican gulf coast. Shortly before making landfall near Matamoros, Hermine attained its peak intensity with winds of 70 mph (110 km/h). Continuing inland, the storm managed to maintain tropical storm intensity for 16 hours before finally weakening to a tropical depression over central Texas
. Turning northeastward, Hermine eventually tracked through Oklahoma
before dissipating over southeastern Kansas
.
In the Eastern Pacific, Tropical Depression Eleven-E, along with moisture from a monsoon
al flow, brought torrential rains to southern Mexico and Guatemala. At least 84 people were killed in the two countries and damage exceeded $500 million. In northern Mexico, the effects of Tropical Storm Hermine were limited. Further north, severe flooding affected large parts of Texas and Oklahoma, killing eight people and leaving at least $240 million in losses.
(NHC) on September 2, 2010 as an area of low pressure
over the Gulf of Tehuantepec
. Embedded within a monsoon
al flow, development of the system into a tropical cyclone
was not anticipated but, a burst of convection
over the low warranted monitoring. With favorable environmental conditions, such as low wind shear
and warm sea surface temperature
s, the system was able to maintain a small area of shower and thunderstorms within 70 miles (110 kilometres) of its center. Despite the conditions, the NHC ceased monitoring the system early on September 3. However, the low became better organized and it was given a "medium" chance of becoming a tropical depression within 48 hours later that day. Within hours, the system quickly developed into a tropical depression, the eleventh of the season, while situated roughly 95 mi (155 km) southeast of Salina Cruz
, Mexico
. Still embedded within the monsoonal trough, the depression tracked slowly towards the northwest. A small system, the depression developed a well-defined center surrounded by convective banding features
, indicating that intensification was possible before moving inland.
Further development took place through the morning of September 4. Prior to moving onshore, radar
images from Mexico depicted a well-defined center with an eye-like feature
, indicating that the system may have attained tropical storm status. Between 0600 and 0700 UTC
, the center of Tropical Depression Eleven-E made landfall
near Salina Cruz with winds of 35 mph (55 km/h). At this time, the depression attained a minimum barometric pressure of 1005 mbar
(hPa
; 29.68 inHg). Within hours of moving inland, the system degenerated into a remnant low pressure system, having lost much of its convection. However, tropical cyclone forecast models indicated that a new cyclone could develop in the extreme southwestern Gulf of Mexico
.
The mountainous terrain of the region caused the low-level circulation
to weaken substantially; however, the system survived the crossing and began regenerating once over the warm waters of the Bay of Campeche
on September 5. Following the development of convection
and banding features
, the low had become sufficiently organized for the National Hurricane Center
to declare it a tropical depression, the tenth of the season. A mid-tropospheric
ridge
over the northern Gulf of Mexico
resulted in the depression taking a general north-northwest track, with a forward speed of 14 mph (22.5 km/h). Early on September 6, roughly 12 hours after being classified a depression, a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
buoy
near the system recorded tropical-storm-force winds, prompting the NHC to upgrade the depression to Tropical Storm Hermine.
Throughout September 5 and 6, Hermine quickly developed, featuring very deep convection around its center. Shortly before making landfall
in northern Mexico, the storm developed a central dense overcast as it continued to intensify. Around 0200 UTC
on September 7, the center of Hermine crossed the Mexican coastline near the city of Matamoros
. Upon moving inland, Hermine attained its peak intensity just below hurricane status; sustained winds reached 70 mph (110 km/h) and the barometric pressure decreased to 989 mbar
(hPa
; 29.21 inHg). As a result of the strengthening at landfall, Hermine was able to maintain tropical storm status for another 16 hours, by which time it was situated over central Texas
. Moving along the western edge of the ridge, the depression turned towards the northeast, continuing to weaken. Hermine degenerated into a remnant low pressure area early on September 10 over northern Oklahoma
, before dissipating later that day over Kansas
.
from Boca De Pijijiapan westward to Puerto Ángel
. Once the depression moved inland on September 4, the warning was discontinued.
Several hours prior to the classification of Tropical Storm Hermine on September 6, a tropical storm warning was issued for the entire coastline of Tamaulipas
, Mexico. By 0900 UTC, the warning was modified to include areas north of the Texas-Mexico border through Baffin Bay, Texas
. This was again modified to encompass areas between La Cruz, Mexico and Port O'Connor, Texas
. Additionally, a hurricane watch
was issued from the mouth of the San Fernando River
in Mexico to Baffin Bay, Texas. Early on September 7, as the storm made landfall, the hurricane watch was canceled and the tropical storm warning was discontinued for areas south of Bahia Algodones, Mexico. Throughout the remainder of the day, warnings were gradually discontinued; however, they remained in place until Hermine weakened to a tropical depression as tropical-storm-force winds extended unusually far east of the center.
Prior to Hermine's landfall, officials in Mexico issued evacuations orders for parts of northern Tamaulipas. An estimated 3,500 people heeded these warnings. In Texas, the State Operations Center held a conference in relation to Tropical Storm Hermine to discuss emergency plans. Six flood rescue teams were placed on standby; Mass Care and American Red Cross were prepared to set up shelters; ten Texas Military high profile vehicles along with UH60
and CH47 helicopters were on standby for potential flood relief efforts. By the afternoon of September 6, much of southern Texas was under a flash flood watch due to the threat of torrential downpours. Tornado watch
es extended from the coastline to northern Texas along the right side of the storm. As Hermine produced heavy rains from Texas to Missouri, the National Weather Service
issued flash flood warning
s for many areas. At one point, the entire state of Oklahoma was placed under a flash flood watch and most of the southeastern counties were under warnings.
, 41 people were killed after consecutive landslides buried a bus and rescue workers trying to pull survivors out of the trapped vehicle. The initial landslide killed 12 people in the bus. Hundreds of rescuers came to the site to try to save as many people as possible; however, a second landslide struck the same spot, burying hundreds of people. According to press reports, at least 41 people died along the highway and more than 100 others are believed to be dead. Throughout the country, officials stated that 30 landslides took place. One of these killed four more people after destroying their home in Quetzaltenango
. Throughout the country, damage was estimated at $500 million.
Heavy rains in Costa Rica associated with the system triggered a landslide that killed three people and displaced hundreds.
.
The system produced locally heavy rains in Veracruz, with a peak measurement of 13.6 in (345.4 mm) in Alvarado
. In northern Mexico, rainfall over 3 in (76.2 mm) was confined to coastal areas. Throughout northern Tamaulipas tropical-storm-force winds downed trees, power lines and damaged several structures. Sustained winds of 53 mph (85.3 km/h) and gusts of 67 mph (107.8 km/h) were recorded in Matamoros. At least 20 homes were damaged throughout the city; no loss of life or injuries took place.
, peaking at 16.37 in (415.8 mm) in Georgetown
. Additional heavy rains fell in Oklahoma
, Arkansas
and as far east as Kentucky
. In these states, rainfall peak at 13.42 in (340.9 mm), 9.81 in (249.2 mm) and 6.7 in (170.2 mm) respectively. Scattered areas of moderate to heavy rain also felled in Louisiana
, Missouri
, Illinois
and Mississippi
.
In all, the storm resulted in eight fatalities, seven in Texas and one in Oklahoma, as well as an estimated $240 million in damage.
where sustained winds reached 59 mph (95 km/h) and gusted to 73 mph (117.5 km/h). Elsewhere in Texas, large portions of the state east of where Hermine's center tracked recorded gale-force-winds. Along the coast, the system also brought a storm surge
, peaking at 3.4 ft (1 m) in Port Aransas
. Damage over the lower Rio Grande Valley
was generally minor. Some trees and power lines were knocked down as a result of the high winds, resulting in power outages over the area. About 30,000 customers lost power at one time or another during the storm in the region. The hardest hit were in Cameron
and Willacy Counties. In central Texas, an estimated 100,000 residences were left without power, mainly in Bexar County
, due to downed trees. According to surveys of the region, roughly 300 trees were downed by the storm. In Georgetown, where the heaviest rain fell, RV
parks and nearby Interstate 35
were flooded, prompting a few evacuations.
Throughout the state, hundreds high water rescues had to be made by rescue teams. Some areas recorded flood waters up to 5 ft (1.5 m) deep. In Johnson County
, more than 60 water rescues were made after flash flooding inundated numerous homes. According to fire Chief Richard Van Winkle of the Alvarado fire department, "This is about as bad as I've seen it". In the town, one person was killed after he drove his car into a flooded street and was swept away. In Arlington
, 90 people had to be evacuated from an apartment building after a nearby creek flooded, leaving some of the rooms under 8 ft (2.4 m) of water. The creek also swept through a nearby neighborhood with enough force to uproot trees in its path. In Bell County
, severe flooding resulted in one fatality after a 19-year-old girl drowned when her car was swept off a flooded road.
Several tornado
es were spawned throughout Texas and Oklahoma as a result of Hermine. A brief EF0 tornado, which resulted in little damage, was confirmed near Moulton, Texas
. In Colbert, a strong tornado destroyed one home and injured a truck driver after knocking his vehicle on its side. Another tornado struck Dallas just west of North Westmoreland Road near La Reunion Parkway, damaging several structures. This tornado was later rated EF2 with estimated winds of 115 mph (185 km/h). This was the strongest tornado to strike Dallas since an F4 in 1974. Throughout northern Texas, six tornadoes were confirmed and several more likely touched down elsewhere in the state.
According to the Red Cross, a total of 843 homes were affected by the storm throughout Texas; 68 were destroyed, 231 sustained major damage and 283 received minor damage. Another flood-related fatality took place in Johnson County
. In Jamaica Beach, Texas
, one woman drowned in a rip current
related to the oncoming Hermine and others needed to be rescued.
was left underwater, resulting in severe infrastructural damage. Nearly 30 mi (48.3 km) were washed away by the floods. Preliminary estimates placed damage in the county were $2.5 million. Scattered power outages took place in the state, mainly attributed to tornadoes, with the Oklahoma Gas and Electric Company reporting roughly 5,000 outages. The National Weather Service confirmed three tornadoes in relation to Hermine, one of which struck Lone Grove
, a town devastated by an EF4 tornado in February 2009. During the morning of September 9, a second round of rain fell across eastern portions of the state, resulting in additional flooding. Along U.S. Route 69
, a portion of the roadway was covered with several feet of water. Other state highways were flooded as well; however, most of the water receded that afternoon.
, Guatemalan President Álvaro Colom
declared a state of emergency
for the country. On September 6, President Colom declared a national day of mourning for victims of the storm.
set up mobile feeding units along the Interstate 35 corridor to support flood response operations. In the wake of the severe flooding caused by Tropical Storm Hermine, Texas governor Rick Perry
declared 40 affected counties as disaster area
s and requested that 13 of these be federal disaster areas. Just two days after the storm's passage, insurance claims had reached $75 million and were expected to exceed $100 million. In early October, the Federal Emergency Management Agency
(FEMA) denied governor Perry's requests for the 13 counties, stating that damage was not substantial enough to warrant federal aid. However, it was argued that since most of the hardest hit communities were rural areas with limited resources, they would need assistance recovering. On October 12, governor Rick Perry filed a formal appeal to President Barack Obama
to reconsider the denial of public assistance. Following further damage assessments, governor Perry also stated that at least $13 million was needed to repair losses. Following this appeal, FEMA again denied federal assistance. On November 10, The U.S. Small Business Administration passed a disaster declaration for 18 counties in Texas, allowing residents to apply for low-interest loans.
On September 10, Oklahoma governor Brad Henry
declared a state of emergency
for 13 counties and later requested federal assistance for Sequoyah County. However, the request for federal aid was later denied by FEMA.
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...
that caused widespread damage from Guatemala
Guatemala
Guatemala is a country in Central America bordered by Mexico to the north and west, the Pacific Ocean to the southwest, Belize to the northeast, the Caribbean to the east, and Honduras and El Salvador to the southeast...
to Oklahoma
Oklahoma
Oklahoma is a state located in the South Central region of the United States of America. With an estimated 3,751,351 residents as of the 2010 census and a land area of 68,667 square miles , Oklahoma is the 28th most populous and 20th-largest state...
in early September 2010. The system was first classified as Tropical Depression Eleven-E on September 3 in the Gulf of Tehuantepec
Gulf of Tehuantepec
Gulf of Tehuantepec is a large body of water on the Pacific coast of the Isthmus of Tehuantepec, southeastern Mexico, at . Most of the hurricanes that form in the Eastern Pacific organize in or near this body of water...
. Failing to intensify, the depression tracked northwestward, moving inland near Salina Cruz
Salina Cruz
Salina Cruz is a major seaport on the Pacific coast of the Mexican state of Oaxaca. It is the state's third-largest city and is municipal seat of the municipality of the same name.It is part of the Tehuantepec District in the west of the Istmo Region....
, Mexico before weakening to a low pressure system. However, early on September 5, the system moved back over water, entering the Gulf of Mexico
Gulf of Mexico
The Gulf of Mexico is a partially landlocked ocean basin largely surrounded by the North American continent and the island of Cuba. It is bounded on the northeast, north and northwest by the Gulf Coast of the United States, on the southwest and south by Mexico, and on the southeast by Cuba. In...
, and restrengthened. Later that day it was reclassified as Atlantic Tropical Depression Ten. By September 6, the system intensified into a tropical storm, earning the name Hermine, and quickly intensified as it approached the northern Mexican gulf coast. Shortly before making landfall near Matamoros, Hermine attained its peak intensity with winds of 70 mph (110 km/h). Continuing inland, the storm managed to maintain tropical storm intensity for 16 hours before finally weakening to a tropical depression over central 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...
. Turning northeastward, Hermine eventually tracked through Oklahoma
Oklahoma
Oklahoma is a state located in the South Central region of the United States of America. With an estimated 3,751,351 residents as of the 2010 census and a land area of 68,667 square miles , Oklahoma is the 28th most populous and 20th-largest state...
before dissipating over southeastern Kansas
Kansas
Kansas is a US state located in the Midwestern United States. It is named after the Kansas River which flows through it, which in turn was named after the Kansa Native American tribe, which inhabited the area. The tribe's name is often said to mean "people of the wind" or "people of the south...
.
In the Eastern Pacific, Tropical Depression Eleven-E, along with moisture from a monsoon
Monsoon
Monsoon is traditionally defined as a seasonal reversing wind accompanied by corresponding changes in precipitation, but is now used to describe seasonal changes in atmospheric circulation and precipitation associated with the asymmetric heating of land and sea...
al flow, brought torrential rains to southern Mexico and Guatemala. At least 84 people were killed in the two countries and damage exceeded $500 million. In northern Mexico, the effects of Tropical Storm Hermine were limited. Further north, severe flooding affected large parts of Texas and Oklahoma, killing eight people and leaving at least $240 million in losses.
Meteorological history
Tropical Storm Hermine was first identified by the National Hurricane CenterNational 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) on September 2, 2010 as an area of low pressure
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...
over the Gulf of Tehuantepec
Gulf of Tehuantepec
Gulf of Tehuantepec is a large body of water on the Pacific coast of the Isthmus of Tehuantepec, southeastern Mexico, at . Most of the hurricanes that form in the Eastern Pacific organize in or near this body of water...
. Embedded within a monsoon
Monsoon
Monsoon is traditionally defined as a seasonal reversing wind accompanied by corresponding changes in precipitation, but is now used to describe seasonal changes in atmospheric circulation and precipitation associated with the asymmetric heating of land and sea...
al flow, development of the system into a 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...
was not anticipated but, a burst of 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...
over the low warranted monitoring. With favorable environmental conditions, such as low 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 warm sea surface temperature
Sea surface temperature
Sea surface temperature is the water temperature close to the oceans surface. The exact meaning of surface varies according to the measurement method used, but it is between and below the sea surface. Air masses in the Earth's atmosphere are highly modified by sea surface temperatures within a...
s, the system was able to maintain a small area of shower and thunderstorms within 70 miles (110 kilometres) of its center. Despite the conditions, the NHC ceased monitoring the system early on September 3. However, the low became better organized and it was given a "medium" chance of becoming a tropical depression within 48 hours later that day. Within hours, the system quickly developed into a tropical depression, the eleventh of the season, while situated roughly 95 mi (155 km) southeast of Salina Cruz
Salina Cruz
Salina Cruz is a major seaport on the Pacific coast of the Mexican state of Oaxaca. It is the state's third-largest city and is municipal seat of the municipality of the same name.It is part of the Tehuantepec District in the west of the Istmo Region....
, 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...
. Still embedded within the monsoonal trough, the depression tracked slowly towards the northwest. A small system, the depression developed a well-defined center surrounded by convective banding features
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...
, indicating that intensification was possible before moving inland.
Further development took place through the morning of September 4. Prior to moving onshore, radar
Weather radar
Weather radar, also called weather surveillance radar and Doppler weather radar, is a type of radar used to locate precipitation, calculate its motion, estimate its type . Modern weather radars are mostly pulse-Doppler radars, capable of detecting the motion of rain droplets in addition to the...
images from Mexico depicted a well-defined center with an eye-like feature
Eye (cyclone)
The eye is a region of mostly calm weather found at the center of strong tropical cyclones. The eye of a storm is a roughly circular area and typically 30–65 km in diameter. It is surrounded by the eyewall, a ring of towering thunderstorms where the second most severe weather of a cyclone...
, indicating that the system may have attained tropical storm status. Between 0600 and 0700 UTC
Coordinated Universal Time
Coordinated Universal Time is the primary time standard by which the world regulates clocks and time. It is one of several closely related successors to Greenwich Mean Time. Computer servers, online services and other entities that rely on having a universally accepted time use UTC for that purpose...
, the center of Tropical Depression Eleven-E 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...
near Salina Cruz with winds of 35 mph (55 km/h). At this time, the depression attained a minimum barometric pressure of 1005 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...
(hPa
Pascal (unit)
The pascal is the SI derived unit of pressure, internal pressure, stress, Young's modulus and tensile strength, named after the French mathematician, physicist, inventor, writer, and philosopher Blaise Pascal. It is a measure of force per unit area, defined as one newton per square metre...
; 29.68 inHg). Within hours of moving inland, the system degenerated into a remnant low pressure system, having lost much of its convection. However, tropical cyclone forecast models indicated that a new cyclone could develop in the extreme southwestern Gulf of Mexico
Gulf of Mexico
The Gulf of Mexico is a partially landlocked ocean basin largely surrounded by the North American continent and the island of Cuba. It is bounded on the northeast, north and northwest by the Gulf Coast of the United States, on the southwest and south by Mexico, and on the southeast by Cuba. In...
.
The mountainous terrain of the region caused the low-level circulation
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...
to weaken substantially; however, the system survived the crossing and began regenerating once over the warm waters of 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...
on September 5. Following the development of 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...
and banding features
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...
, the low had become sufficiently organized for 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...
to declare it a tropical depression, the tenth of the season. A mid-tropospheric
Troposphere
The troposphere is the lowest portion of Earth's atmosphere. It contains approximately 80% of the atmosphere's mass and 99% of its water vapor and aerosols....
ridge
Ridge (meteorology)
A ridge is an elongated region of relatively high atmospheric pressure, the opposite of a trough....
over the northern Gulf of Mexico
Gulf of Mexico
The Gulf of Mexico is a partially landlocked ocean basin largely surrounded by the North American continent and the island of Cuba. It is bounded on the northeast, north and northwest by the Gulf Coast of the United States, on the southwest and south by Mexico, and on the southeast by Cuba. In...
resulted in the depression taking a general north-northwest track, with a forward speed of 14 mph (22.5 km/h). Early on September 6, roughly 12 hours after being classified a depression, a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration , pronounced , like "noah", is a scientific agency within the United States Department of Commerce focused on the conditions of the oceans and the atmosphere...
buoy
Buoy
A buoy is a floating device that can have many different purposes. It can be anchored or allowed to drift. The word, of Old French or Middle Dutch origin, is now most commonly in UK English, although some orthoepists have traditionally prescribed the pronunciation...
near the system recorded tropical-storm-force winds, prompting the NHC to upgrade the depression to Tropical Storm Hermine.
Throughout September 5 and 6, Hermine quickly developed, featuring very deep convection around its center. Shortly before making 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 northern Mexico, the storm developed a central dense overcast as it continued to intensify. Around 0200 UTC
Coordinated Universal Time
Coordinated Universal Time is the primary time standard by which the world regulates clocks and time. It is one of several closely related successors to Greenwich Mean Time. Computer servers, online services and other entities that rely on having a universally accepted time use UTC for that purpose...
on September 7, the center of Hermine crossed the Mexican coastline near the city of 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...
. Upon moving inland, Hermine attained its peak intensity just below hurricane status; sustained winds reached 70 mph (110 km/h) and the barometric pressure decreased to 989 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...
(hPa
Pascal (unit)
The pascal is the SI derived unit of pressure, internal pressure, stress, Young's modulus and tensile strength, named after the French mathematician, physicist, inventor, writer, and philosopher Blaise Pascal. It is a measure of force per unit area, defined as one newton per square metre...
; 29.21 inHg). As a result of the strengthening at landfall, Hermine was able to maintain tropical storm status for another 16 hours, by which time it was situated over central 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...
. Moving along the western edge of the ridge, the depression turned towards the northeast, continuing to weaken. Hermine degenerated into a remnant low pressure area early on September 10 over northern Oklahoma
Oklahoma
Oklahoma is a state located in the South Central region of the United States of America. With an estimated 3,751,351 residents as of the 2010 census and a land area of 68,667 square miles , Oklahoma is the 28th most populous and 20th-largest state...
, before dissipating later that day over Kansas
Kansas
Kansas is a US state located in the Midwestern United States. It is named after the Kansas River which flows through it, which in turn was named after the Kansa Native American tribe, which inhabited the area. The tribe's name is often said to mean "people of the wind" or "people of the south...
.
Preparations
Upon the declaration of Tropical Depression Eleven-E on September 3, the Government of Mexico issued a tropical storm warningTropical 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 Boca De Pijijiapan westward to Puerto Ángel
Puerto Ángel
Puerto Ángel is a small coastal town in the Mexican state of Oaxaca located in the municipality of San Pedro Pochutla. It, along with San Agustinillo and Playa Zipolite are known as the "Riviera Oaxaqueña. It is located 9 km south of city of Pochutla fifty km west of Huatulco and eighty km...
. Once the depression moved inland on September 4, the warning was discontinued.
Several hours prior to the classification of Tropical Storm Hermine on September 6, a tropical storm warning was issued for the entire coastline of 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...
, Mexico. By 0900 UTC, the warning was modified to include areas north of the Texas-Mexico border through Baffin Bay, Texas
Baffin Bay, Texas
Baffin Bay is a bay in South Texas, an inlet of the larger Laguna Madre. Located near the Gulf of Mexico, Baffin Bay forms part of the boundary between Kenedy County and Kleberg County.-Etymology:The history of the bay name is unclear...
. This was again modified to encompass areas between La Cruz, Mexico and Port O'Connor, Texas
Port O'Connor, Texas
Port O'Connor is an unincorporated village in Calhoun County, Texas, United States, on the coastline between Galveston and Corpus Christi. The ZIP Code Tabulation Area including Port O'Connor had a population of 1,078 at the 2000 census...
. Additionally, a hurricane watch
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...
was issued from the mouth of the San Fernando River
San Fernando River
-References:*Atlas of Mexico, 1975 .*The Prentice Hall American World Atlas, 1984.*Rand McNally, The New International Atlas, 1993....
in Mexico to Baffin Bay, Texas. Early on September 7, as the storm made landfall, the hurricane watch was canceled and the tropical storm warning was discontinued for areas south of Bahia Algodones, Mexico. Throughout the remainder of the day, warnings were gradually discontinued; however, they remained in place until Hermine weakened to a tropical depression as tropical-storm-force winds extended unusually far east of the center.
Prior to Hermine's landfall, officials in Mexico issued evacuations orders for parts of northern Tamaulipas. An estimated 3,500 people heeded these warnings. In Texas, the State Operations Center held a conference in relation to Tropical Storm Hermine to discuss emergency plans. Six flood rescue teams were placed on standby; Mass Care and American Red Cross were prepared to set up shelters; ten Texas Military high profile vehicles along with UH60
Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk
The UH-60 Black Hawk is a four-bladed, twin-engine, medium-lift utility helicopter manufactured by Sikorsky Aircraft. Sikorsky submitted the S-70 design for the United States Army's Utility Tactical Transport Aircraft System competition in 1972...
and CH47 helicopters were on standby for potential flood relief efforts. By the afternoon of September 6, much of southern Texas was under a flash flood watch due to the threat of torrential downpours. Tornado watch
Tornado watch
A tornado watch is issued when conditions are right for a tornado to form. Since any thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado is defined as severe, a tornado watch is also automatically a severe thunderstorm watch...
es extended from the coastline to northern Texas along the right side of the storm. As Hermine produced heavy rains from Texas to Missouri, 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...
issued flash flood warning
Flash Flood Warning
A Flash Flood Warning is issued when a flash flood is imminent or occurring in the warned area. A flash flood is a sudden, violent flood after a heavy rain...
s for many areas. At one point, the entire state of Oklahoma was placed under a flash flood watch and most of the southeastern counties were under warnings.
Central America
Across Guatemala, heavy rains associated with a monsoonal flow and Tropical Depression Eleven-E triggered numerous landslides across the country. Along the Inter-American HighwayInter-American Highway
The Inter-American Highway is the Central American section of the Pan-American Highway and spans 3,400 miles between Nuevo Laredo, Mexico, and Panama City, Panama....
, 41 people were killed after consecutive landslides buried a bus and rescue workers trying to pull survivors out of the trapped vehicle. The initial landslide killed 12 people in the bus. Hundreds of rescuers came to the site to try to save as many people as possible; however, a second landslide struck the same spot, burying hundreds of people. According to press reports, at least 41 people died along the highway and more than 100 others are believed to be dead. Throughout the country, officials stated that 30 landslides took place. One of these killed four more people after destroying their home in Quetzaltenango
Quetzaltenango
Quetzaltenango, also commonly known by its indigenous name, Xelajú , or more commonly, Xela , is the second largest city of Guatemala. It is both the capital of Quetzaltenango Department and the municipal seat of Quetzaltenango municipality....
. Throughout the country, damage was estimated at $500 million.
Heavy rains in Costa Rica associated with the system triggered a landslide that killed three people and displaced hundreds.
Mexico
Heavy impact was reported in southern Mexico, and several rivers overflowed their banks in the coast Oaxaca and thus a red (high) alert was issued. A total of 50,000 people were affected from the depression in Mexico. At least 46 people are known to have been killed throughout OaxacaOaxaca
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...
.
The system produced locally heavy rains in Veracruz, with a peak measurement of 13.6 in (345.4 mm) in Alvarado
Alvarado, Veracruz
Alvarado is a city in the Mexican state of Veracruz. The city also serves as the municipal seat for the surrounding municipality of the same name. It is located 64 km from the city of Veracruz, Veracruz, on Federal Highways 180 and 125...
. In northern Mexico, rainfall over 3 in (76.2 mm) was confined to coastal areas. Throughout northern Tamaulipas tropical-storm-force winds downed trees, power lines and damaged several structures. Sustained winds of 53 mph (85.3 km/h) and gusts of 67 mph (107.8 km/h) were recorded in Matamoros. At least 20 homes were damaged throughout the city; no loss of life or injuries took place.
United States
Throughout Hermine's track in the United States, the storm produced heavy rainfall, especially along the east side of the system. After weakening to a depression, Hermine produced torrential downpours over the Texas hill countryTexas Hill Country
The Texas Hill Country is a vernacular term applied to a region of Central Texas featuring tall rugged hills consisting of thin layers of soil atop limestone or granite. It also includes the Llano Uplift and the second largest granite monadnock in the United States, Enchanted Rock, which is located...
, peaking at 16.37 in (415.8 mm) in Georgetown
Georgetown, Texas
Georgetown is a city and also the county seat of Williamson County, Texas, United States with a population of 47,400 at the 2010 census. Southwestern University, founded in 1840, is the oldest university in Texas and is located in Georgetown, about 1/2 mile east of the historic square...
. Additional heavy rains fell in Oklahoma
Oklahoma
Oklahoma is a state located in the South Central region of the United States of America. With an estimated 3,751,351 residents as of the 2010 census and a land area of 68,667 square miles , Oklahoma is the 28th most populous and 20th-largest state...
, Arkansas
Arkansas
Arkansas is a state located in the southern region of the United States. Its name is an Algonquian name of the Quapaw Indians. Arkansas shares borders with six states , and its eastern border is largely defined by the Mississippi River...
and as far east as Kentucky
Kentucky
The Commonwealth of Kentucky is a state located in the East Central United States of America. As classified by the United States Census Bureau, Kentucky is a Southern state, more specifically in the East South Central region. Kentucky is one of four U.S. states constituted as a commonwealth...
. In these states, rainfall peak at 13.42 in (340.9 mm), 9.81 in (249.2 mm) and 6.7 in (170.2 mm) respectively. Scattered areas of moderate to heavy rain also felled in Louisiana
Louisiana
Louisiana is a state located in the southern region of the United States of America. Its capital is Baton Rouge and largest city is New Orleans. Louisiana is the only state in the U.S. with political subdivisions termed parishes, which are local governments equivalent to counties...
, Missouri
Missouri
Missouri is a US state located in the Midwestern United States, bordered by Iowa, Illinois, Kentucky, Tennessee, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Kansas and Nebraska. With a 2010 population of 5,988,927, Missouri is the 18th most populous state in the nation and the fifth most populous in the Midwest. It...
, Illinois
Illinois
Illinois is the fifth-most populous state of the United States of America, and is often noted for being a microcosm of the entire country. With Chicago in the northeast, small industrial cities and great agricultural productivity in central and northern Illinois, and natural resources like coal,...
and Mississippi
Mississippi
Mississippi is a U.S. state located in the Southern United States. Jackson is the state capital and largest city. The name of the state derives from the Mississippi River, which flows along its western boundary, whose name comes from the Ojibwe word misi-ziibi...
.
In all, the storm resulted in eight fatalities, seven in Texas and one in Oklahoma, as well as an estimated $240 million in damage.
Texas
In Texas, strong winds were recorded in HarlingenHarlingen, Texas
Harlingen is a city in Cameron County in the heart of the Rio Grande Valley of south Texas, United States, about from the coast of the Gulf of Mexico. The city covers more than , and is the second largest city in Cameron County and the sixth largest in the Rio Grande Valley...
where sustained winds reached 59 mph (95 km/h) and gusted to 73 mph (117.5 km/h). Elsewhere in Texas, large portions of the state east of where Hermine's center tracked recorded gale-force-winds. Along the coast, the system also brought a storm surge
Storm surge
A storm surge is an offshore rise of water associated with a low pressure weather system, typically tropical cyclones and strong extratropical cyclones. Storm surges are caused primarily by high winds pushing on the ocean's surface. The wind causes the water to pile up higher than the ordinary sea...
, peaking at 3.4 ft (1 m) in Port Aransas
Port Aransas, Texas
Port Aransas is a city in Nueces County, Texas. The population was 3,370 at the 2000 census.-Early history:Karankawa Indians played a key role in the early development of the Texas Gulf Coast. The Karankawa Indians inhabited the Gulf Coast of Texas from Galveston Bay all the way to Corpus Christi Bay...
. Damage over the lower Rio Grande Valley
Rio Grande Valley
The Rio Grande Valley or the Lower Rio Grande Valley, informally called The Valley, is an area located in the southernmost tip of South Texas...
was generally minor. Some trees and power lines were knocked down as a result of the high winds, resulting in power outages over the area. About 30,000 customers lost power at one time or another during the storm in the region. The hardest hit were in Cameron
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...
and Willacy Counties. In central Texas, an estimated 100,000 residences were left without power, mainly in Bexar County
Bexar County, Texas
As of the census of 2000, there were 1,392,931 people, 488,942 households, and 345,681 families residing in the county. The population density was 1,117 people per square mile . There were 521,359 housing units at an average density of 418 per square mile...
, due to downed trees. According to surveys of the region, roughly 300 trees were downed by the storm. In Georgetown, where the heaviest rain fell, RV
Recreational vehicle
Recreational vehicle or RV is, in North America, the usual term for a Motor vehicle or trailer equipped with living space and amenities found in a home.-Features:...
parks and nearby Interstate 35
Interstate 35
Interstate 35 is a north–south Interstate Highway in the central United States. I-35 stretches from Laredo, Texas, on the U.S.-Mexico border to Duluth, Minnesota, at Minnesota Highway 61 and 26th Avenue East. Many interstates used to have splits or spurs indicated with suffixed letters , but I-35...
were flooded, prompting a few evacuations.
Throughout the state, hundreds high water rescues had to be made by rescue teams. Some areas recorded flood waters up to 5 ft (1.5 m) deep. In Johnson County
Johnson County, Texas
As of the census of 2000, there were 126,811 people, 43,636 households, and 34,428 families residing in the county. The population density was 174 people per square mile . There were 46,269 housing units at an average density of 63 per square mile...
, more than 60 water rescues were made after flash flooding inundated numerous homes. According to fire Chief Richard Van Winkle of the Alvarado fire department, "This is about as bad as I've seen it". In the town, one person was killed after he drove his car into a flooded street and was swept away. In Arlington
Arlington, Texas
Arlington is a city in Tarrant County, Texas within the Dallas–Fort Worth metropolitan area. According to the 2010 census results, the city had a population of 365,438, making it the third largest municipality in the Metroplex...
, 90 people had to be evacuated from an apartment building after a nearby creek flooded, leaving some of the rooms under 8 ft (2.4 m) of water. The creek also swept through a nearby neighborhood with enough force to uproot trees in its path. In Bell County
Bell County, Texas
Bell County is a county located in the U.S. state of Texas. Bell County was founded in 1850. It is part of the Killeen–Temple–Fort Hood Metropolitan Statistical Area. In 2000, the county's population was 237,974; in 2010 the U.S. Census Bureau reported that its population had reached...
, severe flooding resulted in one fatality after a 19-year-old girl drowned when her car was swept off a flooded road.
Several 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...
es were spawned throughout Texas and Oklahoma as a result of Hermine. A brief EF0 tornado, which resulted in little damage, was confirmed near Moulton, Texas
Moulton, Texas
Moulton is a town in Lavaca County, Texas, United States. The population was 944 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Moulton is located at .According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of , all of it land....
. In Colbert, a strong tornado destroyed one home and injured a truck driver after knocking his vehicle on its side. Another tornado struck Dallas just west of North Westmoreland Road near La Reunion Parkway, damaging several structures. This tornado was later rated EF2 with estimated winds of 115 mph (185 km/h). This was the strongest tornado to strike Dallas since an F4 in 1974. Throughout northern Texas, six tornadoes were confirmed and several more likely touched down elsewhere in the state.
According to the Red Cross, a total of 843 homes were affected by the storm throughout Texas; 68 were destroyed, 231 sustained major damage and 283 received minor damage. Another flood-related fatality took place in Johnson County
Johnson County, Texas
As of the census of 2000, there were 126,811 people, 43,636 households, and 34,428 families residing in the county. The population density was 174 people per square mile . There were 46,269 housing units at an average density of 63 per square mile...
. In Jamaica Beach, Texas
Jamaica Beach, Texas
Jamaica Beach is a city in Galveston County, Texas, United States. As of the 2000 census, the city population was 1,075.-History:Prior to its development, Jamaica Beach was a Karankawa burial ground. Johnny Goyen and Earl Galceran of the Jamaica Corporation developed Jamaica Beach as a 2,000-lot...
, one woman drowned in a rip current
Rip current
A rip current, commonly referred to by the misnomer rip tide, is a strong channel of water flowing seaward from near the shore, typically through the surf line. Typical flow is at 0.5 metres per second , and can be as fast as 2.5 metres per second...
related to the oncoming Hermine and others needed to be rescued.
Oklahoma
After moving through Texas, the remnants of Hermine produced widespread rainfall, locally heavy, in Oklahoma which triggered significant flooding. One person was killed in the state as result of Hermine's passage. Nearly all of Sequoyah CountySequoyah County, Oklahoma
Sequoyah County is a county located in the U.S. state of Oklahoma. It is part of the Fort Smith, Arkansas-Oklahoma Metropolitan Statistical Area. As of 2000, the population was 38,972. Its county seat is Sallisaw.-History:...
was left underwater, resulting in severe infrastructural damage. Nearly 30 mi (48.3 km) were washed away by the floods. Preliminary estimates placed damage in the county were $2.5 million. Scattered power outages took place in the state, mainly attributed to tornadoes, with the Oklahoma Gas and Electric Company reporting roughly 5,000 outages. The National Weather Service confirmed three tornadoes in relation to Hermine, one of which struck Lone Grove
Lone Grove, Oklahoma
Lone Grove is a city in Carter County, Oklahoma, United States. The population was 4,631 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Micropolitan Statistical Area of Ardmore.The city, located seven miles west of Ardmore on U.S...
, a town devastated by an EF4 tornado in February 2009. During the morning of September 9, a second round of rain fell across eastern portions of the state, resulting in additional flooding. Along U.S. Route 69
U.S. Route 69
U.S. Route 69 is a north–south United States highway. When it was first created, it was only long, but it has since been expanded into a Minnesota to Texas cross-country route. The highway's southern terminus is in Port Arthur, Texas at an intersection with State Highway 87...
, a portion of the roadway was covered with several feet of water. Other state highways were flooded as well; however, most of the water receded that afternoon.
Guatemala
In response to the substantial loss of life along Inter-American HighwayInter-American Highway
The Inter-American Highway is the Central American section of the Pan-American Highway and spans 3,400 miles between Nuevo Laredo, Mexico, and Panama City, Panama....
, Guatemalan President Álvaro Colom
Álvaro Colom
Álvaro Colom Caballeros is the President of Guatemala for the 2008–2012 term and leader of the social-democratic National Unity of Hope .-Early years:...
declared a state of emergency
State of emergency
A state of emergency is a governmental declaration that may suspend some normal functions of the executive, legislative and judicial powers, alert citizens to change their normal behaviours, or order government agencies to implement emergency preparedness plans. It can also be used as a rationale...
for the country. On September 6, President Colom declared a national day of mourning for victims of the storm.
United States
As reports of widespread flooding came out of Texas, evacuation orders were issued for some of the hardest hit areas and seven shelters were opened in four counties. The Salvation ArmySalvation Army
The Salvation Army is a Protestant Christian church known for its thrift stores and charity work. It is an international movement that currently works in over a hundred countries....
set up mobile feeding units along the Interstate 35 corridor to support flood response operations. In the wake of the severe flooding caused by Tropical Storm Hermine, Texas governor Rick Perry
Rick Perry
James Richard "Rick" Perry is the 47th and current Governor of Texas. A Republican, Perry was elected Lieutenant Governor of Texas in 1998 and assumed the governorship in December 2000 when then-governor George W. Bush resigned to become President of the United States. Perry was elected to full...
declared 40 affected counties as disaster area
Disaster area
A disaster area is a region or a locale heavily damaged by either natural hazards, such as tornadoes, hurricanes, tsunamis, floods, earthquakes, technological hazards including nuclear and radiation accidents, or sociological hazards like riots, terrorism or war. The population living there often...
s and requested that 13 of these be federal disaster areas. Just two days after the storm's passage, insurance claims had reached $75 million and were expected to exceed $100 million. In early October, the Federal Emergency Management Agency
Federal Emergency Management Agency
The Federal Emergency Management Agency is an agency of the United States Department of Homeland Security, initially created by Presidential Reorganization Plan No. 1 of 1978 and implemented by two Executive Orders...
(FEMA) denied governor Perry's requests for the 13 counties, stating that damage was not substantial enough to warrant federal aid. However, it was argued that since most of the hardest hit communities were rural areas with limited resources, they would need assistance recovering. On October 12, governor Rick Perry filed a formal appeal to President Barack Obama
Barack Obama
Barack Hussein Obama II is the 44th and current President of the United States. He is the first African American to hold the office. Obama previously served as a United States Senator from Illinois, from January 2005 until he resigned following his victory in the 2008 presidential election.Born in...
to reconsider the denial of public assistance. Following further damage assessments, governor Perry also stated that at least $13 million was needed to repair losses. Following this appeal, FEMA again denied federal assistance. On November 10, The U.S. Small Business Administration passed a disaster declaration for 18 counties in Texas, allowing residents to apply for low-interest loans.
On September 10, Oklahoma governor Brad Henry
Brad Henry
Charles Bradford "Brad" Henry was the 26th Governor of the U.S. state of Oklahoma. A member of the Democratic Party, he was elected governor in 2002...
declared a state of emergency
State of emergency
A state of emergency is a governmental declaration that may suspend some normal functions of the executive, legislative and judicial powers, alert citizens to change their normal behaviours, or order government agencies to implement emergency preparedness plans. It can also be used as a rationale...
for 13 counties and later requested federal assistance for Sequoyah County. However, the request for federal aid was later denied by FEMA.
See also
- List of Atlantic–Pacific crossover hurricanes
- Other storms of the same name
External links
- The National Hurricane Center's Advisory Archive on Tropical Depression Eleven-E
- The National Hurricane Center's Advisory Archive for Tropical Storm Hermine
- The Hydrometeorological Prediction Center's Advisory Archive for Tropical Storm Hermine
- The National Hurricane Center's Tropical Cyclone Report on Tropical Depression Eleven-E
- The National Hurricane Center's Tropical Cyclone Report on Tropical Storm Hermine