Hurricane Ismael (1983)

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Map key
  Tropical depression (≤38 mph, ≤62 km/h)
  Tropical storm (39–73 mph, 63–118 km/h)
  Category 1 (74–95 mph, 119–153 km/h)
  Category 2 (96–110 mph, 154–177 km/h)
  Category 3 (111–129 mph, 178–208 km/h)
  Category 4 (130–156 mph, 209–251 km/h)
  Category 5 (≥157 mph, ≥252 km/h)
  Unknown
Storm type
Disc Plain black.svg Tropical cyclone
Solid black.svg Subtropical cyclone
ArrowUp.svg Extratropical cyclone, remnant low, tropical disturbance, or monsoon depression

Hurricane Ismael originated from a northward bulge of the ITCZ in early August. On August 7, the Eastern Pacific Hurricane Center (EPHC) reported that this bulge had resulted in the formation of a tropical disturbance centered 500 mi (800 km) south of Acapulco. Late on August 8, the system was upgraded into a tropical depression. [1] Initially, the storm was expected to turn west and remain at sea; [2] however, the depression turned northwest instead. Six hours after becoming a tropical cyclone, the low was upgraded into Tropical Storm Ismael. [1]

After remaining a marginal tropical storm for 18 hours, Ismael began to deepen and by August 10, it was approaching hurricane intensity. [3] By this time, the storm was forecast to accelerate and approach Guadalupe Island in three days. [2] At 1800 UTC on August 10, Ismael was upgraded into a hurricane. At 0245 UTC the next day, an eye began to form as the system passed east of the outer Revillagigedo Islands. [1] Nine hours later, the EPHC upgraded the storm into a Category 2 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale (SSHWS); simultaneously, the storm reached its peak of 100 mph (160 km/h). At the time of its peak, Hurricane Ismael was located about 400 mi (640 km) west of Cabo San Lucas. [3] Sandwiched between a ridge to the west of the hurricane and a trough off the coast of California, Ismael turned west-northwest and accelerated. [1]

Late on August 11, Hurricane Ismael began to weaken as it encountered cooler waters. [1] According to the EPHC, the storm was downgraded to a Category 1 on the SSHWS late on August 11. The following day, Ismael was downgraded into a tropical storm about 380 mi (610 km) west of the Baja California Peninsula. [3] On August 13, Hurricane Hunters flew through the storm, penetrating the center of circulation twice. [1] During its first penetration, the aircraft reported winds of 40 mph (65 km/h) just east of the center and also noted that the weakening system had a poorly defined eye. Two hours later, the aircraft made its second pass through Tropical Storm Ismael, with the aircraft reporting winds of 35 mph (55 km/h). Based on this, the storm was downgraded into a tropical depression while centered about 250 mi (400 km) west of Point Ensenada. After turning north and entering even cooler waters, [1] the storm made landfall on Guadalupe. The depression dissipated later on August 14 about 20 mi (30 km) southwest of Guadalupe Island [3] which is not normally affected by tropical cyclones. [4]

Impact

California

The remnants of Ismael on August 14 Hurricane Ismael 1983-10-14.png
The remnants of Ismael on August 14

While still out at sea, Ismael brought rough seas that lead to one home on the Capistrano Beach being ruled unsafe. [5] [6] Although waves from the storm were less than expected, swells of 6–9 ft (1.8–2.7 m) were estimated along south-facing beaches near Santa Barbara. In Malibu, one home was damaged due to the increased surf. [7] In Laguna Beach, in southern Orange County, a 20-year-old woman was swept off rocks and later died. [8] [9] Overall, Hurricane Ismael was one of six tropical cyclones to bring high waves to the state within a span of a month. [10]

On August 11, the outer rainbands of Hurricane Ismael brought unseasonably high humidity and thunderstorms to Southern California. [11] Subsequently, flash flood watches were posted for much of Southern California. The remnants of the storm eventually moved over the area, resulting in significant flooding. [12] Some areas sustained 2 in (50 mm) of rain, [13] leading to water depths of 2 to 4 ft (61 to 122 cm) on roadways. [14] The towns of Joshua Tree, Yucca Valley, Twentynine Palms, California, and Landers were the hardest hit. [14] Nearly every road was washed out in the Yucca Valley. [15]

Almost 50,000 residents in Palm Springs were isolated due to brief, but heavy rains. [14] In addition, a tornado damaged two homes and over seven chimneys near Los Angeles. Heavy rains also drenched the cities of Riverside and San Bernardino while flooding several homes. [14] In the latter, many buildings were destroyed, forcing widespread evacuations. [16] In Rancho Mirage, 24 homes were damaged. [17] [18] One woman had to be rescued after she was swept 3 mi (4.8 km) downstream a river in Los Angeles. [19] Around 80,000 homes were left without power across the Inland Empire, though within 24 hours after the outage, power was restored to all but 4,000 residents. [20] Moreover, portions of Interstate 10, Interstate 15, and 215 were closed. The highway the lead into Palm Springs was closed as well, resulting in major traffic jams. [17] In all, minor injuries were reported. [16] However, three people died in San Bernardino when their car swept into a channel. [17] Damage from the storm totaled $19 million (1983 USD). [21]

Nevada

Heavy rains that preceded the storm forced thousands of gamblers along the Las Vegas Strip to be evacuated and left two people missing. [22] The remnants of the storm later moved into the region, bringing additional flooding. Many parking lots in the resort town of Laughlin were flooded. [17] Furthermore, the villages of Searchlight and Blue Diamond were isolated due to flooding. [16] Several major streets in Paradise were closed because of flooding and sandbag barriers were erected alongside Caesars Palace to prevent further flood damage. [17] In addition, record river levels were measured along the Amargosa River near Death Valley. [23]

Elsewhere

In the Mexican states of Baja California and Baja California Sur, the storm brought high clouds over the region for several days. [24] In Ensenada, minor flooding was recorded. [25] Along the peninsula, waves up to 8 ft (2.4 m) were measured. [26]

Residents of Davis County, Utah that were in close proximity of streams were put on alert due to the threat of flooding. [27] The remnants of Hurricane Ismael ultimately brought thunderstorms to Arizona and Utah. [28] In Mohave County, up to 3 in (76 mm) of rain was recorded. [17] Further south and west, in Phoenix, a thunderstorm flooded streets and brought down power lines. [29]

See also

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Hurricane Ismael
Ismael 10 August 1983.jpg
Hurricane Ismael on August 10