Hurricane Ismael
Baja California Peninsula, Northwestern Mexico, Southwestern United States | |
IBTrACS | |
Part of the 1995 Pacific hurricane season |
Hurricane Ismael was a weak, but deadly
Offshore, Ismael produced waves of up to 30 feet (9.1 m) in height. Hundreds of fishermen were unprepared for the hurricane, which was expected to move more slowly, and as a result 52 ships were wrecked, killing 57 fishermen. On land, Ismael caused 59 deaths in mainland Mexico and resulted in $26 million in damage (1995 USD$, 52 million 2024 USD). The hurricane destroyed thousands of houses, leaving 30,000 people homeless. Moisture from the storm extended into the United States, causing heavy rainfall and localized moderate damage in southeastern New Mexico.
Meteorological history
A poorly organized area of convection persisted about 170 miles (270 km) off the southern coast of
Ismael quickly developed a poorly defined
Preparations
Initially, Hurricane Ismael was predicted to remain over the open waters of the
Impact
Hurricane Ismael produced 30 feet (9.1 m) waves over the Gulf of California and coastal waters off of Mexico. The hurricane, which was forecast to move more slowly, left hundreds of fishermen unprepared[5] due to deficient communications between the boats and harbor authorities.[4] As a result, 52 boats were wrecked, of which 20 sank. 57 fishermen died offshore,[6] with dozens washing ashore as the high tides receded. About 150 fishermen survived the storm by waiting on islands, sandbars, or disabled fishing boats.[5] Navy rescue teams and other fishermen searched for days off the Mexican coast to find victims and survivors from the storm.[7]
While moving through northwestern Mexico, Hurricane Ismael dropped moderate to heavy rainfall including a state record of 7.76 inches (197 mm) in Sinaloa, resulting in the flooding of four municipalities. In one municipality, the passage of the hurricane destroyed 373 cardboard houses and damaged 4,790 others. The passage of the hurricane left 177 houses without drinking water and left four municipalities without power.[6] Damage was heaviest where the hurricane made landfall. In Los Mochis, the winds from Ismael knocked down houses and telephone poles, though no deaths were reported.[5] 59 people were killed in Sinaloa.[4]
Ismael produced heavy rainfall further to the north, peaking at 10.9 inches (280 mm) in Sonora. Severe flooding was reported in Huatabampo. The hurricane directly affected 24,111 people in 8 municipalities. Throughout Sonora, the strong winds destroyed 4,728 houses and removed the roofs of 6,827 homes. The hurricane also destroyed 107 schools and 2 health centers in the state. The passage of Hurricane Ismael damaged high-tension power lines and cable lines, causing interruptions to the communication system. The hurricane also weakened 2,163 miles (3,481 km) of gravel roads and damaged about 100 miles (160 km) of paved highways. 250 people lost their jobs in Sonora due to sunken or damaged fishing boats. In addition, about 83 square miles (210 km2) of crop lands were impacted. Damage in Sonora amounted to $8.6 million (1995 USD, $50 million 1995 MXN, $100 million 2024 USD).[6]
Throughout Mexico the hurricane left 30,000 people homeless.
Moisture from the remnants of Ismael extended into southwestern
Retirement
Due to the damage and deaths, the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) retired the name Ismael and replaced it with Israel, another Spanish name beginning with the letter "I" for use in the 2001 season. However, after leaders of the Anti-Defamation League and the Zionist Organization of America made public remarks in the spring of 2001 sharply criticizing usage of the name, hundreds of people sent e-mails or called the National Hurricane Center (NHC) to express their opposition to its use. In response, NHC director Max Mayfield urged the WMO to choose a different name.[13] The name Israel was replaced with Ivo during the season.[14]
See also
References
- ^ a b c d e f Britt Max Mayfield (1995-11-19). "Hurricane Ismael Tropical Cyclone Report". National Hurricane Center. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Archived from the original on August 31, 2009. Retrieved 2010-04-12.
- ^ a b Britt Max Mayfield (1995-09-12). "Tropical Storm Ismael Discussion Two". National Hurricane Center. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved 2010-04-12.
- ^ Britt Max Mayfield (1995-09-14). "Tropical Storm Ismael Discussion Six". National Hurricane Center. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved 2010-04-12.
- ^ a b c d El Presidente de la Comisión Nacional (1996-07-30). "La Recomendación 64/96, del 30 de julio de 1996 por Huracan Ismael" (in Spanish). Comisión Nacional de los Derechos Humanos. Archived from the original on 2010-09-03. Retrieved 2010-04-12.
- ^ a b c "Hurricane kills 91 in Mexico". National Hurricane Center. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Associated Press. 1995. Retrieved 2006-11-05.
- ^ a b c d Daniel Bitrán Bitrán (2001). "Caracterásticas del Impacto Socioeconómico de los Principales Desastres Ocurridos en México en el Período 1980 – 99" (PDF) (in Spanish). Centro Nacional de Prevención de Desastres. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2006-11-11. Retrieved 2006-11-09.
- ^ a b Sun-Sentinel Wire Services (1995). "Hurricane Toll in Mexico Passes 100; Marilyn Fades". National Hurricane Center. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved 2006-11-05.
- ^ Centro Nacional de Prevención de Desastres (2006). "Impacto Socioeconómico de los Ciclones Tropicales 2005" (PDF) (in Spanish). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2007-11-29. Retrieved 2006-11-09.
- ^ Hydrometeorological Prediction Center. Retrieved 2006-11-05.
- ^ National Climatic Data Center (1995). "Event Report for New Mexico". Archived from the original on 2011-05-19. Retrieved 2006-11-05.
- ^ National Climatic Data Center (1995). "Event Report for Texas". National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Archived from the original on 2012-01-12. Retrieved 2006-11-05.
- ISBN 978-0-9786280-0-0.
- ^ Hanna Rosin (2004-08-02). "Hurricane Names". The Washington Post. Retrieved 2010-04-13.
- ^ Koji Kuroiwa (2009-09-01). "Regional Association IV (North America, Central America and the Caribbean) Hurricane Operational Plan 2009 Edition" (PDF). World Meteorological Organization. Retrieved 2010-04-13.
External links
- National Hurricane Center Preliminary Report on Hurricane Ismael
- July 30, 1996 Mexican Government Report on Hurricane Ismael