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Hurricane Sergio (2018)

Hurricane Sergio was a powerful and long-lived tropical cyclone that affected the Baja California Peninsula as a tropical storm and caused significant flooding throughout South Texas in early October 2018. Sergio became the eighth Category 4 hurricane in the East Pacific for 2018, breaking the old record of seven set in 2015. It was the twentieth named storm, eleventh hurricane, and ninth major hurricane of the season.

Meteorological history
The origins of Hurricane Sergio can be traced to a weather system that was located over northwestern South America on September 24. Although uncertain, there is a possibility that Sergio arose from a tropical wave that departed from the west coast of Africa on September 13. The National Hurricane Center (NHC) forecast on September 25 that a low-pressure area would form a few hundred miles south of the Gulf of Tehuantepec in about two days. A low-pressure system materialized a few hundred miles south-southeast of Mexico's southern coast around 12:00UTC on September 26. The NHC continued to track the disturbance for a few more days as the system traveled west-northwest, before it developed into Tropical Storm Sergio on September 29 at 12:00UTC, while approximately south of Zihuatanejo, Mexico. Unlike most other tropical cyclones, Sergio did not possess an inner wind core. Instead, the maximum sustained winds were located in a rainband approximately east of the center. on October 7|alt=Category 3 Hurricane Sergio acquiring some annular characteristics on October 7 Despite being located within a favorable environment of warm sea surface temperatures and low wind shear, Sergio only gradually intensified over the next couple of days, the system becoming a Category 1 hurricane on October 2 at 00:00UTC. Meanwhile, the storm tracked just south of west as a mid-level ridge developed to the north. The hurricane then began a period of rapid intensification, reaching Category 3 major hurricane status by 18:00UTC. Sergio then began another period of intensification, becoming the eighth Category 4 hurricane of the season on October 4 at 00:00UTC, breaking the old record of seven set in 2015. Six hours later, the system peaked with maximum sustained winds of and a minimum central pressure of , while located about southwest of Cabo San Lucas. The storm maintained peak intensity for 12 hours before weakening due to another eyewall replacement cycle. A faraway mid-latitude ridge caused Sergio to turn towards the southwest from October 5–6. Soon after, Sergio began another turn, rotating from the southwest to the northeast over the next few days due to the influence of a mid-latitude trough. The system gradually weakened over the next two days, falling to tropical storm status on October 9 at 18:00UTC, due to cooling sea surface temperatures. Sergio made landfall near Los Castros, Baja California Sur, around 12:00UTC on October 12, as a tropical storm. After crossing over the Baja California Peninsula and traversing the Gulf of California, the storm made a second landfall near Guaymas, Sonora, as a tropical depression around 18:00UTC, before dissipating over northwest Mexico around midnight. Rainfall from Sergio was discovered to contain 11.8% less Oxygen-18 than expected of convective-based storms across the Sonora River Basin. ==Preparations and impact==
Preparations and impact
Mexico on October 11|alt=Tropical Storm Sergio approaching the Baja California Peninsula on October 11 The Government of Mexico issued a tropical storm watch on October 10 along the western coast of the Baja California Peninsula from Punta Eugenia to Cabo San Lázaro and along the eastern coast from to San Evaristo. As Sergio rapidly approached the peninsula on the next day, the tropical storm watch on the west coast was upgraded to a tropical storm warning, while the watches on the east coast were upgraded to warnings later in the day. All watches and warnings were discontinued as Sergio moved inland. Plan DN-III-E and the Marine Plan were activated in advance for Baja California Sur, allowing the Mexican Army to help with disaster relief efforts and rescue operations. A blue alert, meaning minimal danger, was issued for Sinaloa and emergency shelters were opened due to rainfall and Sergio's proximity. Sergio made landfall in western Baja California Sur and later in Sonora, In Baja California Sur, Sergio's impact was mainly minimal, with homes experiencing power outages Multiple roads and schools in Loreto were damaged. Damage across the Baja California Sur amounted to MX$13.3million (US$691,000). In Sonora, almost 400 people had to evacuate to a temporary shelter as a result of flooding. as well as several power outages. Hermosillo experienced street flooding which impeded traffic and overflowed sewers in several areas; multiple power outages also occurred. A concert scheduled to take place in the city was canceled in the interest of public safety. In Punta de Aqua II, over of rain was reported. Mazatán and Plutarco Elías Calles reported rainfall totals of and , respectively. More than 1,000 schools were closed in Chihuahua and classes in 72 municipalities of Sinaloa were suspended. In the Chihuahuan municipality of Nuevo Casas Grandes, heavy rainfall flooded streets and houses. Throughout the state of Michoacán, the combined effects from Sergio and nearby Hurricane Rosa destroyed of crops. United States High waves from Sergio affected Hawaii and its remnants moved into Arizona, California and Texas, generating heavy rains and spawning multiple tornadoes. Sergio produced waves and rip currents along the shores of Hawaii's Big Island, Maui, Molokai, and Oahu on October 10. As a result, high surf advisories were issued for east-facing shores. These swells gradually relaxed over the next couple of days. No injuries or damage was reported in Hawaii. Damage on the fairgrounds and to the surrounding roads was estimated at US$50,000. A portion of Old U.S. Route 80 was closed between Gila Bend and Buckeye after rainfall exceeding per hour caused flooding in the area. Moderate to heavy rainfall in the deserts southeast of Phoenix caused flash flooding, halting traffic on State Route 187 between state routes 87 and 387. Runoff from heavy rainfall in the Maricopa Mountains flowed across State Route 238, resulting in multiple closures from Mobile to Bosque and US$2,000 in damage. Numerous other road closures occurred throughout the Phoenix Metropolitan Area as a result of flash floods, damage in the region totaling approximately US$73,000. Moisture from Sergio's remnants also entered Southern California, producing thunderstorms mainly to the south of Point Conception. Widespread storms caused flash floods throughout the Coachella Valley, with a 12-hour rainfall total of observed at Palm Desert. In nearby Indio, hail up to in diameter was reported. Floodwaters up to deep were reported on a segment of Interstate 10 near Cactus City. Multiple flood-related road closures also occurred near Rimlon and Thousand Palms. Total damage in California is estimated at $100,000. The remnants of Sergio moved through Texas from October 12–13, producing severe thunderstorms that caused US$475,000 in damage throughout the state. About US$15,000 in damage was reported after wind gusts damaged a storage unit between Eureka and Mildred. Wind gusts of caused about US$4,000 in damage to power lines and a carport near Greenwood. Outside of Shiloh, wind gusts destroyed a metal barn and either damaged or destroyed multiple trees, resulting in US$5,000 in damage. Wind gusts between were reported in numerous other counties. There were also reports of hail in several counties. Just outside Baxter, hail in diameter fell on several properties, causing US$5,000 in damage. Flash flooding affected the state, resulting in multiple road closures. In Wink, the intersection of State Highway 115 and Wildcat Drive was closed due to flooding. Outside of Midland, State Highway 158 experienced flooding near Interstate 20. At least ten tornadoes spawned in Texas as a result of the increased moisture. An EF2 tornado near Knickerbocker extensively damaged a metal building and either uprooted or snapped many trees, causing US$200,000 in damage. In Brady, an EF0 tornado uprooted one tree, which caused another to fall on a home, which triggered roof damage, resulting in US$150,000 in damage. Approximately US$25,000 in damage occurred near Sardis when an EF0 tornado damaged a corner of a gymnasium, broke out windows on cars, bent down light-poles and handicap signs in a parking lot, and threw a trailer into a nearby field. Two tornadoes occurred near Chat. The first was an EF0 tornado that damaged a few trees as well as shingles and fences at multiple homes, generating US$15,000 in damage. The second was an EF1 tornado that substantially damaged one home, damaged the roof and deck of another, destroyed a shed, and tossed a boat and RV trailer, resulting in about US$50,000 in damage. An EF0 tornado near Brandon caused about US$5,000 in tree damage. At least four more EF0 tornadoes occurred: two in Navarro County, one in Freestone County, and one in Panola County. ==See also==
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