Hurricane Jimena (2009)
Encyclopedia
Hurricane Jimena was a Category 4 storm that is tied with Hurricane Norbert
as the strongest tropical cyclone to make landfall on western Baja California
. Forming from a tropical wave
late on August 28, off Mexico
's Pacific coast, the system rapidly intensified
into a Category 2 hurricane the next day. Two days after developing, it strengthened into a Category 4 hurricane. After peaking close to Category 5 intensity on September 1, it encountered cold water and began to weaken. When the hurricane made landfall on the Baja California Peninsula
on September 3, it was only a Category 2 hurricane. The next day, the cyclone entered the Gulf of California
, only to dissipate after turning back east towards Baja California.
When the storm made landfall, Jimena caused $173.9 million USD in damage. The system killed six people and left two others missing. In Baja California Sur
, the town of Mulege
was devastated with other areas in the region also receiving major damage. In Sonora
, record rainfall fell, with some areas receiving more than 20 in (508 mm). The remnants also moved into the Southwestern United States
, causing minor damage.
that moved off the western coast of Africa on August 15, 2009. The wave traversed the Atlantic Ocean
with little or no convective
development. On August 25, the National Hurricane Center
began monitoring a broad area of low pressure, while the system was located over Central America
. The system moved westbound and entered the eastern Pacific Ocean
later that day. Initially, there were no signs of additional development. However, shower and thunderstorm activity began to increase and an area of low pressure
developed within the wave on August 27. Around 1800 UTC
on August 28, the low had become sufficiently organized for the National Hurricane Center
(NHC) to designate the system as Tropical Depression Thirteen-E. Upon becoming a tropical cyclone
, the depression was situated roughly 220 miles (355 km) south of Acapulco
, Mexico
. Tracking westward in response to a mid-level ridge
over Mexico, the depression intensified into a tropical storm on 0000 UTC August 29. In real time, however, it was not classified until early on August 29 while located 250 mi (402.3 km) west of Acapulco.
Tropical Storm Jimena featured only a small area of gale-force winds upon being named; however, the small size of the storm allowed for its subsequent intensification. Deep convection developed around the center of circulation
and well-defined convective feeder band
to the north. Rapid intensification
began to take place early on August 29 as extremely deep convection developed and microwave satellite imagery depicted a developing eye feature
within the center of the storm. Jimena turned towards the northwest by this time, and moved over very warm sea surface temperature
s, averaging 86 °F (30 °C). The hurricane was upgraded to Category 2 intensity in the late evening hours on August 30, and was upgraded to the season's third major hurricane – a storm with winds of 111 mph (178.6 km/h) or greater – on the morning of August 30 when the eye
became visible on satellite imagery. Continuing to intensify, it was upgraded to a Category 4 hurricane just six hours after becoming a major hurricane and 24 hours after becoming a tropical storm. Meanwhile, the eye became better defined.
Late on August 29, the cyclone leveled off in intensity as a mid-level Category 4 hurricane due to an eyewall replacement cycle
, where one eye gets replaced by another. The cycle continued for another 24 hours, only to start another burst of intensification. By the evening of August 31, Hurricane Hunters
measured winds of 155 mph (250 km/h) and a pressure of 931 mbar (hPa; 27.49 inHg) while the powerful cyclone began to turn to the north due to nearby Tropical Storm Kevin and a low pressure area west of Baja California
. Wind shear
increased as the hurricane moved over progressively cooler water. Despite weakening slightly, Jimena was anticipated by meteorologists to still remain a major hurricane as the storm moved ashore. This did not occur and Jimena steadily weakened. On September 1, Hurricane Hunters
found Jimena weaker, reporting winds of 145 mph (230 km/h) and a pressure of 940 mbar (hPa; 27.76 inHg). About 12 hours after the flight, the winds of Jimena dropped below major hurricane intensity despite an increase of convection.
On 1200 UTC September 2, Jimena made landfall on Isla San Margarita, Baja California del Sur with winds of 105 mph (165 km/h) and a pressure of 971 mbar (hPa; 28.67 inHg). An hour later, Jimena made a second landfall (after re-entering the Pacific) at the same intensity near Cabo San Lazaro. It then moved over land, weakening into a Category 1 later that day, only to move back offshore as a Category 1 hurricane. The hurricane made a third landfall near San Junacio with 85 mph (150 km/h) winds. After its third landfall, Jimena returned to tropical storm status over land. After emerging into the Sea of Cortez, steering currents collapsed and increased wind shear continued to weaken Jimena. By late on September 3, Jimena was just a minimal tropical storm. It turned to the west, weakening into a tropical depression the next day. With winds of 30 mph (45 km/h), the system made a fourth and final landfall near Santa Rosalía, Baja California Sur
. Within five hours, the depression degenerated into a remnant low. Midday on September 5, the low had completely dissipated, but the remains of Jimena were tracked towards the west into the Pacific for a few more days.
, the NHC
noted the possibility locally heavy rainfall spreading across much of Central America and in extreme Southwestern Mexico
. As the storm moved parallel to the Mexican coast, interests in the region were asked to watch the progress of the system and officials in the area opened shelters due to the risk of high wind
s. The Sonora
state government issued a blue (initial) alert for 14 municipalities on the southern portion of the state the afternoon of August 31. Later on the day, the blue alert was upgraded to a green alert, citing the risk of large rainfall amounts.
Early on August 31, about 54 hours prior to landfall, the Government of Mexico
issued a hurricane watch from Bahia Magdalena to San Evaristo in the southern Baja California
peninsula. A state of emergency
was declared in five districts of Baja California Sur
requested via the local government. In La Paz
, residents rushed to get groceries before the stores closed and residents boarded up windows. In Los Cabos, residents frantically stocked up on supplies before the tropical cyclone struck. On August 31, civil defense
authorities in Los Cabos announced that they would have to evacuate 20,000 families from their homes. Officials urged a total of 10,000 people to evacuate from shacks. However, most people evacuated, though they feared that there items would be stolen if they had left. While they did struggle with evacuations, they managed to evacuate 15,000 people living in hurricane prone areas. However, many people such as tourists and the poor failed to evacuate, though 2,000 foreigners did leave the Los Cobos area. On August 30, Robbie Berg from the National Hurricane Center
noted that the hurricanes remnants may help fire relief in California
and also interests Baja California should monitor the progress of the system.
, the storm produced overcast skies, but ports in the area remained open. In addition, the states of Guerrero
, Colima
, and Jalisco
suffered mudslides, landslides, and heavy rain
from outer rainbands related to the system.
, Peutro San Colors reported a minimum pressure of 973 mb (hPa; 28.73 inHg). Ciudad Constitucion reported peak winds of 71 mph (114.3 km/h), with a peak gust of 90 mph (144.8 km/h), and a state-wide peak of 13.12 in (333.2 mm). A secondary peak rainfall occurred at Santa Rosalia
. However, no reports of storm surge
or storm tide
were received by the National Hurricane Center.
When the storm was over, Jimena's winds and heavy rain brought devastation across the Baja peninsula. One man was reported killed in Mulege
. Most of the homes and businesses there received extensive damage and water was 24 in (609.6 mm) deep. Damage there was considered worse than Hurricane John
in 2006
. One bridge in Mulge was under 6 ft (1.8 m) of water. The downtown area of Santa Rosalia was severely damaged with flash floods. Hurricane force winds battered the area for hours before diminishing to 45 mph (72.4 km/h) the next day. Water supplies ran low and two bridges were washed out. In a nearby canyon, floodwaters washed out many cars and livestock.
In Cabo San Lucas
, Jimena produced little damage. However, the entire town of Punta Chivato were flooded and damaged, with some being destroyed. In addition, 75% of homes were damaged in Puerto San Carlos, and power was lost in many areas including Comondú and Loreto
. In the town of Puerto Lopez Mateos, half of the cannery buildings were destroyed and every wood home was destroyed, thus leaving a quarter of the population homeless. Nearby, the storm nearly destroyed two isolated villages, Punta Abreojos village and Laguna San Ignacio. Both areas got hit by Jimena at its first landfall. Although in Bahia Asuncion damages was minor, the villages of Abreojos and San Ignacio Lagoon were badly damaged. Seventy percent of the electric network form Santa Rosalia to Ciuadad Constitucion was damaged due to power outages. In both of the towns, the Mexican Red Cross branches received some damage. The roads from San José del Cabo to Tijuana was affected because any nearby creeks overflowed their banks. The airports in Los Cabos, La Paz
and Loreto and ports were briefly closed, but were later re-opened after the storm passed since the airports received only minimal damage.
A total of 35,000 people were reported homeless and hit 29 transmission lines in the cites Cabo San Lucas, San José del Cabo, La Paz and Ciudad Constitución affecting 50,000 costumers. The worst was in the former, with a total of 27,000 costumers affected and 17 transmission lines. Severe damage also occurred in the agricultural sector; 400 hectares of citrus was lost, 80 hectares of greenhouses was destroyed. Losses in the sector were estimated to be at least MXN$ 500 million (US$37.3 million). Damages to infrastructure amounted to MXN$300 million (US$12.5 million). Total losses related to Hurricane Jimena reached 2.3 billion pesos
($173.9 million). Local water authorities reported that 14,000 people were waterless, because eight pipelines broke. The worst damage occurred in the aqueduct in Santa Rosalia. The officials estimated that the repair would cost about $652,224. A total of 72,000 people were affected and four people were reported dead.
The towns of Guaymas
and Empalme became unreachable from the rest of the state because Mexico Federal Highway 15 was closed due to flooding. Some river channels overflowed due to flooding. In addition, a total of 15 people were stuck on the roof of a middle school and was later rescued by air. A total of 775 people were evacuated in Bahia Kino, Guyams, Navojoa, and Álamos. Due to the damage caused by the hurricane, a state of emergency was declared in southern Sonora. Two people died near Guaymas during a car accident; two others were reported missing. According to a report by Mexico's Centro Nacional de Prevención de Desastres, the magnitude of the event was analyzed to be a once in 2000 year occurrence.
lifted deep tropical moisture that triggered flash flooding and severe weather
in the Mojave Desert
. In San Diego County, California
, a severe thunderstorm rolled through the area midday on September 5, breaking 19 pipelines and causing $100,000 in damage. Major flood
ing also occurred east of Barnwell on Ceader Canyon Road. South of Barnwell, hail and rainfall up to 1 in (25.4 mm) was reported. At the Nipton trading post, water and debris flowed on the roads. Flooding occurred on Interstate 15
, forcing the local highway patrol to escort cars on to the highway while part of U.S. Highway 95 was closed for 2 hours, and 17 minutes. Near the town of Ocotillo Wells, flash flooding was reported due to heavy rain
fall, causing an additional $20,000 in damage. Strong winds associated with the thunderstorms downed power lines and resulted in dust storm
s across the Imperial Valley
, some of which reduced visibility by up to 25%.
In Valle Vista, Arizona, water, rock, and other debris covered many roads. In addition, several power lines were down at the Bullhead City Airport
. Northwest of Golden Valley
, severe thunderstorms produced golf ball sized hail, roughly 1.75 in (44.5 mm) in diameter, that broke windows. In Riviera, seven mobile homes were blown over by winds up to 80 mph (128.7 km/h), resulting in four injuries. North of Mohave Valley, mudslides destroyed two homes and damaged twenty-five others, resulting in roughly $600,000 in losses. Heavy Rain
near Sedona
caused flooding along Highway 179. In Quartzsite, washes overflowed their banks, flooding nearby areas. In Tanca, about 1 in (25.4 mm) of rain fell in 30 minutes, resulting in flash flooding that washed out a road and damaged a business.
broke out due to lack of water. There was also a lack for shelter, as such this left many people sleeping in their cars. Within a week, the Mexican government assessed the damage form the hurricane, with 15 of them begin sent to Santa Rosalia and shortly thereafter, the Mexican Red Cross sent out relief efforts to the devastated area, especially in Santa Rosalia. A total of 4,0460 food kits were sent, 1,152 hygiene kits, 765 cleaning kits, 225 children's kits, and 181 kitchen kits.
Hurricane Norbert (2008)
Hurricane Norbert was the strongest tropical cyclone in the below-average 2008 Pacific hurricane season. Norbert originated as a tropical wave, developed into a tropical depression on October 3, and into a tropical storm the next day. Norbert ultimately rapidly intensified to a major...
as the strongest tropical cyclone to make landfall on western 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...
. Forming from 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...
late on August 28, off 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...
's Pacific coast, the system rapidly intensified
Rapid deepening
Rapid deepening, also known as rapid intensification, is a meteorological condition that occurs when the minimum sea-level atmospheric pressure of a tropical cyclone decreases drastically in a short period of time. The National Weather Service describes rapid deepening as a decrease of...
into a Category 2 hurricane the next day. Two days after developing, it strengthened into a Category 4 hurricane. After peaking close to Category 5 intensity on September 1, it encountered cold water and began to weaken. When the hurricane made landfall on the Baja California Peninsula
Baja California Peninsula
The Baja California peninsula , is a peninsula in northwestern Mexico. Its land mass separates the Pacific Ocean from the Gulf of California. The Peninsula extends from Mexicali, Baja California in the north to Cabo San Lucas, Baja California Sur in the south.The total area of the Baja California...
on September 3, it was only a Category 2 hurricane. The next day, the cyclone entered the Gulf of California
Gulf of California
The Gulf of California is a body of water that separates the Baja California Peninsula from the Mexican mainland...
, only to dissipate after turning back east towards Baja California.
When the storm made landfall, Jimena caused $173.9 million USD in damage. The system killed six people and left two others missing. In Baja California Sur
Baja California Sur
Baja California Sur , is one of the 31 states which, with the Federal District, comprise the 32 Federal Entities of Mexico. Before becoming a state on October 8, 1974, the area was known as the South Territory of Baja California. It has an area of , or 3.57% of the land mass of Mexico and comprises...
, the town of Mulege
Mulegé
Mulegé is an oasis town in the Mexican state of Baja California Sur, situated at the mouth of the Río de Santa Rosalía. It is the fourth-largest community in Mulegé Municipality...
was devastated with other areas in the region also receiving major damage. In Sonora
Sonora
Sonora officially Estado Libre y Soberano de Sonora is one of the 31 states which, with the Federal District, comprise the 32 Federal Entities of Mexico. It is divided into 72 municipalities; the capital city is Hermosillo....
, record rainfall fell, with some areas receiving more than 20 in (508 mm). The remnants also moved into the Southwestern United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, causing minor damage.
Meteorological history
Hurricane Jimena originated from 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...
that moved off the western coast of Africa on August 15, 2009. The wave traversed the Atlantic Ocean
Atlantic Ocean
The Atlantic Ocean is the second-largest of the world's oceanic divisions. With a total area of about , it covers approximately 20% of the Earth's surface and about 26% of its water surface area...
with little or no convective
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...
development. On August 25, 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...
began monitoring a broad area of low pressure, while the system was located over 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...
. The system moved westbound and entered the eastern Pacific Ocean
Pacific Ocean
The Pacific Ocean is the largest of the Earth's oceanic divisions. It extends from the Arctic in the north to the Southern Ocean in the south, bounded by Asia and Australia in the west, and the Americas in the east.At 165.2 million square kilometres in area, this largest division of the World...
later that day. Initially, there were no signs of additional development. However, shower and thunderstorm activity began to increase and 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...
developed within the wave on August 27. Around 1800 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 August 28, 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...
(NHC) to designate the system as Tropical Depression Thirteen-E. Upon becoming 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...
, the depression was situated roughly 220 miles (355 km) south of Acapulco
Acapulco
Acapulco is a city, municipality and major sea port in the state of Guerrero on the Pacific coast of Mexico, southwest from Mexico City. Acapulco is located on a deep, semi-circular bay and has been a port since the early colonial period of Mexico’s history...
, 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...
. Tracking westward in response to a mid-level ridge
Ridge (meteorology)
A ridge is an elongated region of relatively high atmospheric pressure, the opposite of a trough....
over Mexico, the depression intensified into a tropical storm on 0000 UTC August 29. In real time, however, it was not classified until early on August 29 while located 250 mi (402.3 km) west of Acapulco.
Tropical Storm Jimena featured only a small area of gale-force winds upon being named; however, the small size of the storm allowed for its subsequent intensification. Deep convection developed around the center of circulation
Atmospheric circulation
Atmospheric circulation is the large-scale movement of air, and the means by which thermal energy is distributed on the surface of the Earth....
and well-defined convective feeder band
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...
to the north. Rapid intensification
Rapid deepening
Rapid deepening, also known as rapid intensification, is a meteorological condition that occurs when the minimum sea-level atmospheric pressure of a tropical cyclone decreases drastically in a short period of time. The National Weather Service describes rapid deepening as a decrease of...
began to take place early on August 29 as extremely deep convection developed and microwave satellite imagery depicted a developing eye 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...
within the center of the storm. Jimena turned towards the northwest by this time, and moved over very 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, averaging 86 °F (30 °C). The hurricane was upgraded to Category 2 intensity in the late evening hours on August 30, and was upgraded to the season's third major hurricane – a storm with winds of 111 mph (178.6 km/h) or greater – on the morning of August 30 when the eye
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...
became visible on satellite imagery. Continuing to intensify, it was upgraded to a Category 4 hurricane just six hours after becoming a major hurricane and 24 hours after becoming a tropical storm. Meanwhile, the eye became better defined.
Late on August 29, the cyclone leveled off in intensity as a mid-level Category 4 hurricane due to an eyewall replacement cycle
Eyewall replacement cycle
Eyewall replacement cycles, also called concentric eyewall cycles, naturally occur in intense tropical cyclones, generally with winds greater than 185 km/h , or major hurricanes...
, where one eye gets replaced by another. The cycle continued for another 24 hours, only to start another burst of intensification. By the evening of August 31, 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...
measured winds of 155 mph (250 km/h) and a pressure of 931 mbar (hPa; 27.49 inHg) while the powerful cyclone began to turn to the north due to nearby Tropical Storm Kevin and a low pressure area west of 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...
. 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...
increased as the hurricane moved over progressively cooler water. Despite weakening slightly, Jimena was anticipated by meteorologists to still remain a major hurricane as the storm moved ashore. This did not occur and Jimena steadily weakened. On September 1, 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...
found Jimena weaker, reporting winds of 145 mph (230 km/h) and a pressure of 940 mbar (hPa; 27.76 inHg). About 12 hours after the flight, the winds of Jimena dropped below major hurricane intensity despite an increase of convection.
On 1200 UTC September 2, Jimena made landfall on Isla San Margarita, Baja California del Sur with winds of 105 mph (165 km/h) and a pressure of 971 mbar (hPa; 28.67 inHg). An hour later, Jimena made a second landfall (after re-entering the Pacific) at the same intensity near Cabo San Lazaro. It then moved over land, weakening into a Category 1 later that day, only to move back offshore as a Category 1 hurricane. The hurricane made a third landfall near San Junacio with 85 mph (150 km/h) winds. After its third landfall, Jimena returned to tropical storm status over land. After emerging into the Sea of Cortez, steering currents collapsed and increased wind shear continued to weaken Jimena. By late on September 3, Jimena was just a minimal tropical storm. It turned to the west, weakening into a tropical depression the next day. With winds of 30 mph (45 km/h), the system made a fourth and final landfall near Santa Rosalía, Baja California Sur
Santa Rosalía, Baja California Sur
Santa Rosalía is a city located on the Baja California peninsula, in the northern part of the Mexican state of Baja California Sur. It was named after Saint Rosalia, although the reason for the name is not quite clear since the Misión de Santa Rosalía is not located by the town, but rather in...
. Within five hours, the depression degenerated into a remnant low. Midday on September 5, the low had completely dissipated, but the remains of Jimena were tracked towards the west into the Pacific for a few more days.
Preparations
Upon crossing Central AmericaCentral 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...
, the NHC
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...
noted the possibility locally heavy rainfall spreading across much of Central America and in extreme Southwestern 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 the storm moved parallel to the Mexican coast, interests in the region were asked to watch the progress of the system and officials in the area opened shelters due to the risk of high wind
Wind
Wind is the flow of gases on a large scale. On Earth, wind consists of the bulk movement of air. In outer space, solar wind is the movement of gases or charged particles from the sun through space, while planetary wind is the outgassing of light chemical elements from a planet's atmosphere into space...
s. The Sonora
Sonora
Sonora officially Estado Libre y Soberano de Sonora is one of the 31 states which, with the Federal District, comprise the 32 Federal Entities of Mexico. It is divided into 72 municipalities; the capital city is Hermosillo....
state government issued a blue (initial) alert for 14 municipalities on the southern portion of the state the afternoon of August 31. Later on the day, the blue alert was upgraded to a green alert, citing the risk of large rainfall amounts.
Early on August 31, about 54 hours prior to landfall, 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 hurricane watch from Bahia Magdalena to San Evaristo in the southern 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. 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...
was declared in five districts of Baja California Sur
Baja California Sur
Baja California Sur , is one of the 31 states which, with the Federal District, comprise the 32 Federal Entities of Mexico. Before becoming a state on October 8, 1974, the area was known as the South Territory of Baja California. It has an area of , or 3.57% of the land mass of Mexico and comprises...
requested via the local government. In La Paz
La Paz, Baja California Sur
La Paz is the capital city of the Mexican state of Baja California Sur and an important regional commercial center. The city had a 2010 census population of 215,178 persons, but its metropolitan population is somewhat larger because of surrounding towns like el Centenario, el Zacatal and San Pedro...
, residents rushed to get groceries before the stores closed and residents boarded up windows. In Los Cabos, residents frantically stocked up on supplies before the tropical cyclone struck. On August 31, civil defense
Civil defense
Civil defense, civil defence or civil protection is an effort to protect the citizens of a state from military attack. It uses the principles of emergency operations: prevention, mitigation, preparation, response, or emergency evacuation, and recovery...
authorities in Los Cabos announced that they would have to evacuate 20,000 families from their homes. Officials urged a total of 10,000 people to evacuate from shacks. However, most people evacuated, though they feared that there items would be stolen if they had left. While they did struggle with evacuations, they managed to evacuate 15,000 people living in hurricane prone areas. However, many people such as tourists and the poor failed to evacuate, though 2,000 foreigners did leave the Los Cobos area. On August 30, Robbie Berg from 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...
noted that the hurricanes remnants may help fire relief in California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
and also interests Baja California should monitor the progress of the system.
Southwestern Mexico
In AcapulcoAcapulco
Acapulco is a city, municipality and major sea port in the state of Guerrero on the Pacific coast of Mexico, southwest from Mexico City. Acapulco is located on a deep, semi-circular bay and has been a port since the early colonial period of Mexico’s history...
, the storm produced overcast skies, but ports in the area remained open. In addition, the states of 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....
, Colima
Colima
Colima is one of the 31 states which, with the Federal District, make up the 32 Federal Entities of Mexico. It shares its name with its capital and main city, Colima....
, and Jalisco
Jalisco
Jalisco officially Estado Libre y Soberano de Jalisco is one of the 31 states which, with the Federal District, comprise the 32 Federal Entities of Mexico. It is located in Western Mexico and divided in 125 municipalities and its capital city is Guadalajara.It is one of the more important states...
suffered mudslides, landslides, and heavy rain
Heavy Rain
Heavy Rain is an interactive drama psychological thriller video game created by Quantic Dream exclusively for the PlayStation 3. The game is written and directed by Quantic Dream's founder and CEO David Cage....
from outer rainbands related to the system.
Baja California Sur
When the tropical cyclone passed over the Baja California PeninsulaBaja California Peninsula
The Baja California peninsula , is a peninsula in northwestern Mexico. Its land mass separates the Pacific Ocean from the Gulf of California. The Peninsula extends from Mexicali, Baja California in the north to Cabo San Lucas, Baja California Sur in the south.The total area of the Baja California...
, Peutro San Colors reported a minimum pressure of 973 mb (hPa; 28.73 inHg). Ciudad Constitucion reported peak winds of 71 mph (114.3 km/h), with a peak gust of 90 mph (144.8 km/h), and a state-wide peak of 13.12 in (333.2 mm). A secondary peak rainfall occurred at Santa Rosalia
Santa Rosalía, Baja California Sur
Santa Rosalía is a city located on the Baja California peninsula, in the northern part of the Mexican state of Baja California Sur. It was named after Saint Rosalia, although the reason for the name is not quite clear since the Misión de Santa Rosalía is not located by the town, but rather in...
. However, no reports of 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...
or storm tide
Storm tide
A storm tide is a tide with a high flood period caused by a storm. Storm tides can be a severe danger to the coast and the people living along the coast. The water level can rise to more than 5 meters above the normal tide....
were received by the National Hurricane Center.
When the storm was over, Jimena's winds and heavy rain brought devastation across the Baja peninsula. One man was reported killed in Mulege
Mulegé
Mulegé is an oasis town in the Mexican state of Baja California Sur, situated at the mouth of the Río de Santa Rosalía. It is the fourth-largest community in Mulegé Municipality...
. Most of the homes and businesses there received extensive damage and water was 24 in (609.6 mm) deep. Damage there was considered worse than Hurricane John
Hurricane John (2006)
Hurricane John was the eleventh named storm, seventh hurricane, and fifth major hurricane of the 2006 Pacific hurricane season. Hurricane John developed on August 28 from a tropical wave to the south of Mexico. Favorable conditions allowed the storm to intensify quickly, and it attained peak winds...
in 2006
2006 Pacific hurricane season
The 2006 Pacific hurricane season was the most active Pacific hurricane season since 2000 producing 19 tropical storms or hurricanes. Eighteen developed within the National Hurricane Center area of warning responsibility, which is east of 140ºW, and one storm formed between 140ºW and the...
. One bridge in Mulge was under 6 ft (1.8 m) of water. The downtown area of Santa Rosalia was severely damaged with flash floods. Hurricane force winds battered the area for hours before diminishing to 45 mph (72.4 km/h) the next day. Water supplies ran low and two bridges were washed out. In a nearby canyon, floodwaters washed out many cars and livestock.
In Cabo San Lucas
Cabo San Lucas
Cabo San Lucas , commonly called Cabo, is a city at the southern tip of the Baja California peninsula, in the municipality of Los Cabos in the Mexican state of Baja California Sur. As of the 2010 census, the population was 68,463 people...
, Jimena produced little damage. However, the entire town of Punta Chivato were flooded and damaged, with some being destroyed. In addition, 75% of homes were damaged in Puerto San Carlos, and power was lost in many areas including Comondú and Loreto
Loreto, Baja California Sur
Loreto was the first Spanish settlement on the Baja California Peninsula. It served as the capital of Las Californias from 1697 to 1777, and is the current seat of the municipality of Loreto in the Mexican state of Baja California Sur...
. In the town of Puerto Lopez Mateos, half of the cannery buildings were destroyed and every wood home was destroyed, thus leaving a quarter of the population homeless. Nearby, the storm nearly destroyed two isolated villages, Punta Abreojos village and Laguna San Ignacio. Both areas got hit by Jimena at its first landfall. Although in Bahia Asuncion damages was minor, the villages of Abreojos and San Ignacio Lagoon were badly damaged. Seventy percent of the electric network form Santa Rosalia to Ciuadad Constitucion was damaged due to power outages. In both of the towns, the Mexican Red Cross branches received some damage. The roads from San José del Cabo to Tijuana was affected because any nearby creeks overflowed their banks. The airports in Los Cabos, La Paz
La Paz, Baja California Sur
La Paz is the capital city of the Mexican state of Baja California Sur and an important regional commercial center. The city had a 2010 census population of 215,178 persons, but its metropolitan population is somewhat larger because of surrounding towns like el Centenario, el Zacatal and San Pedro...
and Loreto and ports were briefly closed, but were later re-opened after the storm passed since the airports received only minimal damage.
A total of 35,000 people were reported homeless and hit 29 transmission lines in the cites Cabo San Lucas, San José del Cabo, La Paz and Ciudad Constitución affecting 50,000 costumers. The worst was in the former, with a total of 27,000 costumers affected and 17 transmission lines. Severe damage also occurred in the agricultural sector; 400 hectares of citrus was lost, 80 hectares of greenhouses was destroyed. Losses in the sector were estimated to be at least MXN$ 500 million (US$37.3 million). Damages to infrastructure amounted to MXN$300 million (US$12.5 million). Total losses related to Hurricane Jimena reached 2.3 billion pesos
Mexican peso
The peso is the currency of Mexico. Modern peso and dollar currencies have a common origin in the 15th–19th century Spanish dollar, most continuing to use its sign, "$". The Mexican peso is the 12th most traded currency in the world, the third most traded in the Americas, and by far the most...
($173.9 million). Local water authorities reported that 14,000 people were waterless, because eight pipelines broke. The worst damage occurred in the aqueduct in Santa Rosalia. The officials estimated that the repair would cost about $652,224. A total of 72,000 people were affected and four people were reported dead.
Sonora
Jimena produced record rainfall in Sonora. By September 3, rainfall had reached 18 in (457.2 mm) and the state newspaper then noted the possible of a dam overflowing. A few days later, in Guaymas, rainfall from the storm had reached 21.92 in (556.8 mm), thus setting a state rainfall record. The peak 24 hour rainfall record was set by Jimena as it ultimately topped out at 26.1 in (662.9 mm).The towns of Guaymas
Guaymas
Guaymas is a city and municipality located in the southwest part of the state of Sonora in northwestern Mexico. The city is located 117 km south of the state capital of Hermosillo, and 242 miles from the U.S. border, and is the principal port for the state. The municipality is located in the...
and Empalme became unreachable from the rest of the state because Mexico Federal Highway 15 was closed due to flooding. Some river channels overflowed due to flooding. In addition, a total of 15 people were stuck on the roof of a middle school and was later rescued by air. A total of 775 people were evacuated in Bahia Kino, Guyams, Navojoa, and Álamos. Due to the damage caused by the hurricane, a state of emergency was declared in southern Sonora. Two people died near Guaymas during a car accident; two others were reported missing. According to a report by Mexico's Centro Nacional de Prevención de Desastres, the magnitude of the event was analyzed to be a once in 2000 year occurrence.
United States
While the storm was weakening, a cold frontCold front
A cold front is defined as the leading edge of a cooler mass of air, replacing a warmer mass of air.-Development of cold front:The cooler and denser air wedges under the less-dense warmer air, lifting it...
lifted deep tropical moisture that triggered flash flooding and severe weather
Severe weather
Severe weather phenomena are weather conditions that are hazardous to human life and property.- Examples Include :Severe weather can occur under a variety of situations, but three characteristics are generally needed: a temperature or moisture boundary, moisture, and , instability in the...
in the Mojave Desert
Mojave Desert
The Mojave Desert occupies a significant portion of southeastern California and smaller parts of central California, southern Nevada, southwestern Utah and northwestern Arizona, in the United States...
. In San Diego County, California
San Diego County, California
San Diego County is a large county located in the southwestern corner of the US state of California. Hence, San Diego County is also located in the southwestern corner of the 48 contiguous United States. Its county seat and largest city is San Diego. Its population was about 2,813,835 in the 2000...
, a severe thunderstorm rolled through the area midday on September 5, breaking 19 pipelines and causing $100,000 in damage. Major flood
Flood
A flood is an overflow of an expanse of water that submerges land. The EU Floods directive defines a flood as a temporary covering by water of land not normally covered by water...
ing also occurred east of Barnwell on Ceader Canyon Road. South of Barnwell, hail and rainfall up to 1 in (25.4 mm) was reported. At the Nipton trading post, water and debris flowed on the roads. Flooding occurred on Interstate 15
Interstate 15
Interstate 15 is the fourth-longest north–south Interstate Highway in the United States, traveling through the states of California, Nevada, Arizona, Utah, Idaho, and Montana from San Diego to the Canadian border...
, forcing the local highway patrol to escort cars on to the highway while part of U.S. Highway 95 was closed for 2 hours, and 17 minutes. Near the town of Ocotillo Wells, flash flooding was reported due to heavy rain
Heavy Rain
Heavy Rain is an interactive drama psychological thriller video game created by Quantic Dream exclusively for the PlayStation 3. The game is written and directed by Quantic Dream's founder and CEO David Cage....
fall, causing an additional $20,000 in damage. Strong winds associated with the thunderstorms downed power lines and resulted in dust storm
Dust storm
A dust / sand storm is a meteorological phenomenon common in arid and semi-arid regions. Dust storms arise when a gust front or other strong wind blows loose sand and dirt from a dry surface. Particles are transported by saltation and suspension, causing soil to move from one place and deposition...
s across the Imperial Valley
Imperial Valley
The Imperial Valley is an agricultural area of Southern California's Imperial County. It is located in southeastern Southern California, centered around the city of El Centro. Locally, the terms "Imperial Valley" and "Imperial County" are used synonymously. The Valley is bordered between the...
, some of which reduced visibility by up to 25%.
In Valle Vista, Arizona, water, rock, and other debris covered many roads. In addition, several power lines were down at the Bullhead City Airport
Bullhead City, Arizona
Bullhead City is a city located on the Colorado River in Mohave County, Arizona, USA, roughly south of Las Vegas, Nevada, and directly across the Colorado River from Laughlin, Nevada, whose casinos and ancillary services supply much of the employment for Bullhead City...
. Northwest of Golden Valley
Golden Valley, Arizona
Golden Valley is an unincorporated community and a census-designated place in Mohave County, Arizona, United States. The population was 4,515 at the 2000 census.-Name:...
, severe thunderstorms produced golf ball sized hail, roughly 1.75 in (44.5 mm) in diameter, that broke windows. In Riviera, seven mobile homes were blown over by winds up to 80 mph (128.7 km/h), resulting in four injuries. North of Mohave Valley, mudslides destroyed two homes and damaged twenty-five others, resulting in roughly $600,000 in losses. Heavy Rain
Heavy Rain
Heavy Rain is an interactive drama psychological thriller video game created by Quantic Dream exclusively for the PlayStation 3. The game is written and directed by Quantic Dream's founder and CEO David Cage....
near Sedona
Sedona, Arizona
Sedona is a city that straddles the county line between Coconino and Yavapai counties in the northern Verde Valley region of the U.S. state of Arizona...
caused flooding along Highway 179. In Quartzsite, washes overflowed their banks, flooding nearby areas. In Tanca, about 1 in (25.4 mm) of rain fell in 30 minutes, resulting in flash flooding that washed out a road and damaged a business.
Aftermath
Shortly after the hurricane made landfall, Mexico's natural disaster fund provided $1.45 million in aid to repair pipelines, highways, and buildings. The United Methodist Committee on Relief distributed food baskets to 720 survivors and provided 180 families with wood for rebuilding their homes. In addition, the Civil Protection Agency in Baja California, the Baja bush Pilots, and the Mexican Red Cross asked for donations of such as utensils, flashlights, lanterns, batteries, clothing, and light bedding. Following the hurricane, a riot in Santa RosaliaSanta Rosalia
Saint Rosalia , also called La Santuzza or "The Little Saint", is the patron saint of Palermo, Italy, El Hatillo, Venezuela, and Zuata, Anzoátegui, Venezuela.-Legend:...
broke out due to lack of water. There was also a lack for shelter, as such this left many people sleeping in their cars. Within a week, the Mexican government assessed the damage form the hurricane, with 15 of them begin sent to Santa Rosalia and shortly thereafter, the Mexican Red Cross sent out relief efforts to the devastated area, especially in Santa Rosalia. A total of 4,0460 food kits were sent, 1,152 hygiene kits, 765 cleaning kits, 225 children's kits, and 181 kitchen kits.