Hurricane Henriette (2007)

Infobox Hurricane
Name=Hurricane Henriette
Type=hurricane
Year=2007
Basin=EPac
Image location=Henriette 04 sept 2007 1745Z.jpg


Formed=August 30, 2007
Dissipated=September 6, 2007
1-min winds=75
Pressure=972
Da

Fatalities=9 direct
Areas=Southwest United States, Southwestern and northwestern Mexico, including the Baja California Peninsula
Hurricane season=2007 Pacific hurricane season

Hurricane Henriette was the deadliest tropical cyclone of the 2007 Pacific hurricane season. The storm, which caused nine fatalities, formed from an area of disturbed weather on August 30, 2007, and became a tropical storm the next day. The cyclone moved parallel to the Mexican Pacific coast, but its close proximity to the shore resulted in heavy rainfall over land. The most affected city was Acapulco, Guerrero, where six people were killed by landslides, and where over 100 families had to be evacuated after the La Sabana River flooded. Henriette then turned north and headed towards the Baja California peninsula, and became a Category 1 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale. Henriette made its first landfall east of Cabo San Lucas at peak intensity, causing the death of one woman due to high surf.

Hurricane Henriette then emerged over the Sea of Cortez, and made its second landfall near Guaymas, Sonora. After causing heavy rains in Sonora, the storm dissipated over the Sierra Madre Occidental and its remnants went on to casue flooding in New Mexico and Texas. Damage totaled about $275 million (2007 MXN, $25 million 2007 USD). It hit Mexico on the same day Hurricane Felix hit Nicaragua, only one of two occurrences in which an Atlantic hurricane and a Pacific hurricane made landfall on the same day.

Meteorological history

Henriette originated from a tropical wave that departed the west coast of Africa on August 20, 2007.Cite web|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/pdf/TCR-EP112007_Henriette.pdf|title=Tropical Cyclone Report - Hurricane Henriette|accessyear=2008|accessmonthday=March 21|publisher=National Hurricane Center|year=2007|author=Richard D. Knabb|format=pdf|language=English] The wave produced some convection while in the Caribbean Sea but reached central America on August 28 before any significant development could occur. Early on August 30, the area of low pressure, now 400 miles (640 km) south-southeast of Acapulco, Mexico, started to gain clusters of strong convection. By the afternoon of August 30 the system continued to show strong convection and had developed a broad but well defined area of low to mid level cyclonic turning.cite web|author=Eric Christensen|date=2007-08-30|title= Tropical Weather Discussion|publisher=National Hurricane Center|accessdate=2007-08-30|url=ftp://ftp.met.fsu.edu/pub/weather/tropical/Pac-Dis/2007083015.AXPZ20] By 0600 UTC that day the system became a tropical depression about convert|360|mi|0 southeast of Acapulco and was designated as Tropical Depression Eleven-E.

Convection continued but the cyclone was encountering extensive easterly to north-easterly wind shear which stinted the strengthening of this storm through out its history.cite web|author=John Cangialosi|date=2007-08-30|title=Tropical Weather Discussion |publisher=National Hurricane Center|accessdate=2007-08-31|url=ftp://ftp.met.fsu.edu/pub/weather/tropical/Pac-Dis/2007083021.AXPZ20] The cyclone initially headed toward the west-northwest around a subtropical ridge that was centered over the western Gulf of Mexico. The depression moved north west, parallel with the west coast of Mexico due to being steered by the mid/upper-level ridge. On August 31, it strengthened to become Tropical Storm Henriette, 85 miles (137 km) south of Acapulco.cite web|author=Lixion Avila|date=2007-08-31|title=Tropical Depression 11-E Discussion Four|publisher=National Hurricane Center|accessdate=2007-08-31|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2007/ep11/ep112007.discus.004.shtml?]

It continued to move along the Mexican coast bringing heavy rains. With continued strong convection, Henriette maintained its strengthening and was predicted to reach hurricane strength. However, despite the low wind shear and apparent warm waters. Henriette did not strengthen as expected. This is believed to be due to its close proximity to land and colds waters being brought up due to Henriette's slow movement. The convection and strengthening continued and maintained itself as it moved away from Jalisco. Henriette turned westward and away from the Pacific coast of Mexico late on September 1 as the subtropical ridge built westward over northern Mexico.

Henriette continued to improve in structure and with the formation of a distinct eye feature, reached hurricane strength on September 4 as it turned north-northwestward toward the Baja California peninsula, ahead of a mid-latitude trough approaching the west coast of the United States.Cite web|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2007/ep11/ep112007.discus.019.shtml?|title=Hurricane Henriette discussion 19|accessdate=2008-07-24|publisher=National Hurricane Center|author=Michelle Mainelli] The hurricane reached its peak intensity of 85 mph (135 km/h) that morning while centered about 75 miles (120 km)south-southeast of Cabo San Lucas.

The center of Henriette made landfall just east of Cabo San Lucas on the afternoon of September 4 with maximum winds near convert|80|mi/h|km/h|abbr=on (130 km/h).cite web|author=NHC|date=2007-09-04|title=Monthly Tropical Weather Summery September|publisher=National Hurricane Center|accessdate=2007-09-06|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2007/tws/MIATWSEP_sep.shtml?] It was over land for only about six hours before emerging into the Sea of Cortez. The brief interaction with land caused a slight weakening, but Henriette remained a Category 1 hurricane for most of that day.cite web|author=Lixion Avila|date=2007-09-04|title=Tropical Depression 11-E Discussion Twenty-Two|publisher=National Hurricane Center|accessdate=2007-09-06|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2007/ep11/ep112007.discus.022.shtml?] The next day it made final landfall near Guaymas in the state of Sonora.cite web|author=Lixion Avila|date=2007-09-05|title=Tropical Depression 11-E Discussion Twenty-Six|publisher=National Hurricane Center|accessdate=2007-09-06|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2007/ep11/ep112007.discus.026.shtml?] Henriette weakened quickly over land and dissipated over the mountains of northwestern Mexico early on September 6. The remnants of Tropical Storm Henriette continued to track across west Texas and southeastern New Mexico as it was being absorbed by a cold front moving through New Mexico. The flow of moisture from originating from these remnants, moderate instability, and marginal shear contributed to flash flooding and severe thunderstorms.Cite web|url=http://www4.ncdc.noaa.gov/cgi-win/wwcgi.dll?wwevent~ShowEvent~684607|title=NOAA - Event Record Details - 08 Sep 2007|accessdate=2008-07-24|publisher=National Climatic Data Center]

Preparations

The formation of Henriette was not anticipated well in NHC Tropical Weather Outlooks. The incipient system was first mentioned only about 31 hours before it became a tropical depression, and the potential for the formation of a depression was explicitly stated beginning only about 13 hours prior to genesis.

On August 31, 2007 the National Meteorological Service in Mexico decreed zone of alert from Lagunas de Chacahua, Oaxaca to Cabo Corrientes, Jalisco. It requested the public to take precautions before the possible coming of rain, intense winds and storm surges in the south and southwestern coasts of Mexico. The Ministry of Education of Guerrero canceled classes at all schools in the evening and close the port navigation. Faced with the prospect of Henriette strengthening, The Head of the Harbor Bay in Acapulco stopped all travel for small craft and coastal fisheries. Also blue and yellow flags were raised as a preventive measure for bathers.Cite web|author=Staff writer | url=http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/notas/446252.html|title=Alerta en Guerrero por tormenta tropical Henriette|accessdate=2008-03-21|publisher=El Universal|year=2007|format=html|language=Spanish] On September 4, the port of Mazatlán, Sinaloa had to be shut down to all navigation due to the inclement weather produced by the hurricane. The port authority reported that Henriette produced waves surpassing 4 meters (13 ft) in height. The Carnival Pride cruise scheduled to arrive at the port had to be diverted out to sea as a result of the port's closure. In the city itself, school was suspended for two days, and officials stated that approximately 600 famiilies might have to be evacuated.cite news | title = Cierran puerto de Mazatlán debido al mal tiempo | date = 2007-09-04 | accessdate= 2008-07-13 | author =Yovana Gaxiola Aldana | url = http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/notas/447132.html | language = Spanish | publisher = El Universal] Further north, the port of Topolobampo, Sinaloa was also closed due to Henriette's threat, and 20 families were evacuated from their homes in an ejido.cite news | title = Cierran puertos y suspenden clases en Sinaloa por "Henriette" | date = 2007-09-04 | accessdate= 2008-07-13 | author =Javier Cabrera Martínez | url = http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/notas/447092.html | language = Spanish | publisher = El Universal]

In Sonora, the hurricane destroyed 450 homes and damaged another 5,000 dwellings in Etchojoa and Huatabampo, which both have large Mayo Indian populations. The storm's precipitation flooded nearby agricultural fields, stopping wheat production, forcing local government to fumigate the region to try to prevent a dengue fever outbreak.cite news|title=Ayudan a afectados por Henriette|last=Duarte|first=Carmen|date=2007-09-14|publisher=The Arizona Daily Star|pages=1|language=Spanish|accessdate=2008-07-19 Accessed via NewsBank.] In the Yaqui River valley, two people were killed, and another 70 homes were destroyed by Henriette's winds.cite news|url=http://www.azstarnet.com/sn/related/200167|title=Sonora cleanup begins|last=Duarte|first=Carmen|date=2007-09-07|publisher=The Arizona Daily Star|accessdate=2008-07-20] Throughout the state, 24,000 families were left homeless.cite news|title=How to help Sonora hurricane survivors|last=Huicochea|first=Alexis|date=2007-09-10|publisher=The Arizona Daily Star|accessdate=2008-07-19 Accessed via NewsBank]

In La Paz, the Municipal Direction of Civil defense informed that the first of 13 temporary shelters would be opened and anticipated the evacuation of more than 2000 people that lived in high-risk zones. In some areas, the local police recommended to the population, mostly those living in areas of high risk, that they should take care not to leave their homes unless necessary and to find evacuation routes and temporary shelters.Cite web|url=http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/notas/447071.html|title=Evacuan a población en La Paz por Henriette|accessdate=2008-05-10|publisher=El Universal|year=2007|author=Gladys Rodríguez Navarro|language=Spanish] Both Manuel Márquez de León International Airport in La Paz and Los Cabos International Airport in San José del Cabo were shut down, stranding 7,500–8,500 tourists. Henriette also forced the ports in Los Cabos to close completely, and the port in La Paz to close to small craft.cite news | url=http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/notas/447086.html | title=Estima Turismo entre 7 y 8 mil vacacionistas en Los Cabos | author= Gladys Rodríguez Navarro | date=2007-09-04 | publisher=El Universal | language=Spanish | accessdate=2008-07-13]

Impact

Henriette struck hardest in the resort town of Acapulco. Though the storm never passed closer than convert|70|mi|km|abbr=on to the town, heavy rains along the coast saturated the ground, leading to mudslides.Cite web|url=http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/hurricanes/archives/2007/h2007_henriette.html
title=Hurricane Henriette Strikes Hardest in Acapulco
accessdate=2008-07-11
publisher=NASA
year=2007
author=Steve Lang
format=html
language=English] Six people were reported dead as a result of rockslides in two suburban neighborhoods of the city and in the port itself.Cite web|url=http://www.oem.com.mx/elsoldeacapulco/notas/n402765.htm|title=Muertos y damnificados|accessdate=2008-07-13|author= Carlos Ortiz Moreno] Three were killed by a huge rock hitting their house, and the other three were killed when their dwellings partially collapsed.Cite web
url=http://www.9news.com/news/world/article.aspx?storyid=76543
title=Felix becomes Category 1 hurricane; Henriette gains strength
accessdate=2008-07-11
publisher=9News
year=2007
author=Colleen Locke
format=html
language=English] In addition, flooding from the overflowing of the River La Sabana, led to the evacuation of at least one hundred families from around the river by the Consejo Estatal de Proteccion Civil.

Jorge Antonio Pacheco Albert, Director of Civil Protection for the Port of Acapulco, reported that approximately 800 were injured during the passage of Henriette along the coast and that 337 people relocated to temporary shelters.Cite web|url=http://www.oem.com.mx/elsoldeacapulco/notas/n402765.htm|title=Deja Henriette 800 damnificados en Acapulco|accessdate=2008-07-13|publisher=El Universal|author=Laura Reyes Maciel] In Michoacán, Henriette damaged 10,000 square meters (107,000 sq. ft) of beach near Ixtapilla, destroying approximately 5,000 Olive Ridley turtle nests, comprising 10% of the endangered species's nests in the state.cite news|url=http://www.mimorelia.com/ver_nota.php?id=29868|title=Henriette se llevó en Ixtapilla más de 5 mil nidos de tortuga|author=Staff writer|date=2007-09-03|publisher=El Cambio de Michoacán|language=Spanish|accessdate=2008-07-19]

One woman died due to high surf near Cabo San Lucas on the Baja California peninsula.Cite web|url=http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,295628,00.html?sPage=fnc/specialsections/naturaldisaster|title=Hurricane Henriette Roars Into Baja California |accessdate=2008-07-11|publisher=FOX news|year=2007|author=Associated Press|format=html|language=English] Two fishermen were reported killed off the Sonora coast.Cite web
url=http://www.france24.com/france24Public/en/archives/news/americas/20070906-hurricane-henriette-mexico-two-reported-dead-fishermen.php
title=Hurricane Henriette pounds Mexico, 2 reported dead
accessdate=2008-07-11
publisher=France24
year=2007
author=Reuters
format=html
language=English] The road connecting Guaymas to Ciudad Obregón was closed due to damage from the overflow of the brook Cocoraque which stranded around 600 cars. Lázaro Cárdenas was affected when the Acalpican River broke its banks.Cite web|url=http://www.vanguardia.com.mx/diario/noticia/estados/nacional/henrietteseveras_perdidas_sufren_tres_estados/37908|title="HENRIETTE" Severas pérdidas sufren tres estados|accessdate=2008-07-24|publisher=Vanguardia|author=Universal] At least 50 houses located in the community of "El Habillal", were flooded by water levels of up to convert|1|m|ft|abbr=on. The residents had to leave their houses and be relocated in provisional housing.Cite web|url=http://translate.google.com/translate?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.novenet.com.mx%2Fseccion.php%3Fid%3D65614%26sec%3D2%26d%3D03%26m%3D09%26y%3D2007&hl=en&ie=UTF8&sl=es&tl=en|title=Azota "Henriette" al territorio nacional|accessdate=2008-07-13] The remnants of Henriette caused flash floods and surface water 8–12 inches (20–30 cm) deep which covered roads with depths up to 1.5 inches (4 cm) in the U.S. States of New Mexico and Texas. Hail also accumulated on roadways.Cite web|url=http://www4.ncdc.noaa.gov/cgi-win/wwcgi.dll?wwevent~ShowEvent~684512|title=NOAA - Event Record Details - 06 Sep 2007 - hail|accessdate=2008-07-24|publisher=National Climatic Data Center] Cite web|url=http://www4.ncdc.noaa.gov/cgi-win/wwcgi.dll?wwevent~ShowEvent~684601|title=NOAA - Event Record Details - 06 Sep 2007|accessdate=2008-07-24|publisher=National Climatic Data Center] Damage in Mexico totaled about $275 million (2007 MXN, $25 million 2007 USD). The name "Henriette" was not retired from use by the World Meteorological Organization, and will be used again in 2013.Cite web|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/aboutnames.shtml|title=Worldwide Tropical Cyclone Names|accessdate=2008-07-13]

ee also

* List of Pacific hurricanes
* 2007 Pacific hurricane season

References

External links

* [http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/ National Hurricane Center]