Hurricane Newton (2016)

Hurricane Newton

Hurricane Newton over Baja California Sur on September 6
Meteorological history
Formed	September 4, 2016
Remnant low	September 7, 2016
Dissipated	September 8, 2016
Category 1 hurricane
1-minute sustained (SSHWS/NWS)
Highest winds	90 mph (150 km/h)
Lowest pressure	977 mbar (hPa); 28.85 inHg
Overall effects
Fatalities	12 total
Damage	$95.8 million (2016 USD)
Areas affected	Baja California Peninsula, Northwestern Mexico, Southwestern United States
IBTrACS / [1]
Part of the 2016 Pacific hurricane season

Hurricane Newton was the first tropical cyclone to make landfall on the Baja California Peninsula at hurricane strength since Hurricane Odile in 2014. The fifteenth tropical depression, fifteenth named storm and ninth hurricane of the 2016 Pacific hurricane season, Newton formed from a tropical wave to the south of Mexico on September 4, 2016. Moving northwards through an environment conducive for additional development, Newton rapidly strengthened, reaching hurricane strength on the following day. Newton made landfall on the Baja California Peninsula just below peak strength on the same day. Interaction with the mountainous terrain of the peninsula caused some slight weakening, but Newton remained a hurricane until it entered the Gulf of California, at which time increasing wind shear caused Newton to weaken at a faster pace, and the system made landfall in Sonora late on September 6 as a strong tropical storm. The cyclone continued to rapidly weaken over the rugged terrain of Sonora, and it degenerated into a remnant low just south of the Mexico–United States border on September 7. The remnants of Newton dissipated early on the following day.

In advance of Newton's arrival, authorities in Mexico took several steps to ensure the safety of residents, tourists as well as property. A large number of watches and warnings were issued for various parts of Mexico. In Baja California Sur, ports and airports were closed before the storm, several evacuation centers were opened for stranded tourists and residents, military personnel were deployed, and policemen deployed to prevent post-storm looting. Heavy rains and strong winds from Newton and its outer bands wrought widespread damage in western Mexico. Several communities were flooded across many states, which led authorities to rescue stranded people from them. Thousands of houses were also damaged due to rainfall. Near the location of landfall, the storm led to loss of power and access to drinking water while other communities were isolated due to damage to road infrastructure. In the Gulf of California, a shrimp boat capsized due to rough seas, leading to five deaths. The post-tropical remnants of Newton later brought heavy rain to the Southeastern United States, leading to minor damage. Overall, Newton caused $95.8 million (2016 USD) in damage and 12 deaths.