&sq=&lang=&file=File:Ismael_10_August_1983.jpg) Hurricane Ismael on August 10 | |
| Meteorological history | |
|---|---|
| Formed | August 8, 1983 |
| Dissipated | August 14, 1983 |
| Category 2 hurricane | |
| 1-minute sustained (SSHWS/NWS) | |
| Highest winds | 100 mph (155 km/h) |
| Overall effects | |
| Fatalities | 4 confirmed, 1 presumed |
| Damage | $19 million (1983 USD) |
| Areas affected | Baja California Peninsula, California, Nevada, Utah, and Arizona |
| IBTrACS | |
Part of the 1983 Pacific hurricane season | |
Hurricane Ismael was responsible for significant flooding throughout the Inland Empire of the United States in August 1983. The cyclone was the tenth depression, ninth named storm, and fifth hurricane of the 1983 Pacific hurricane season. The origins of Hurricane Ismael were from a northward bulge of the Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) in early August, which resulted in the formation of a tropical depression on August 8. Six hours later, it was upgraded into Tropical storm Ismael. Continuing to intensify, Ismael was upgraded into a hurricane late on August 10 and subsequently developed an eye. After bypassing the Revillagigedo Islands, the storm reached its peak wind speed of 100 mph (160 km/h). Late on August 11, Hurricane Ismael began to weaken as it encountered cooler waters. The following day, Ismael was downgraded into a tropical storm. On August 14, the storm was downgraded into a tropical depression approximately 250 mi (400 km) west of Point Ensenada. After turning north, Ismael dissipated later that day near Guadalupe Island.
While still out at sea, Ismael brought 6–9 ft (1.8–2.7 m) waves to Southern California, though waves from the storm were less than expected. One person was swept away at a beach. The remnants of the storm later moved over the region, resulting in moderate rainfall. The Yucca Valley was the worst hit by the storm, where nearly every road was washed out. Almost 50,000 residents were isolated due to rains. A tornado was spotted near Los Angeles, causing minor damage. In San Bernardino, many buildings were destroyed. Around 80,000 homes were left without power across the Inland Empire. Moreover, three interstates were closed. In all, minor injuries were reported, three people died in San Bernardino when their car swept into a channel, and an engineer was killed returning to China Lake when her car was swept into a wash. Damage in the region totaled $19 million (1983 USD). After affecting California, the remnants of the hurricane moved into Nevada. Many parking lots in Laughlin were flooded; two small towns in Clark County were also isolated. Furthermore, several major streets along the outskirts of Las Vegas were closed because of flooding.