 Potential Tropical Cyclone Seventeen-E off the coast of Oaxaca on October 16 | |
| Meteorological history | |
|---|---|
| Formed | October 16, 2019 |
| Dissipated | October 16, 2019 |
| Potential tropical cyclone | |
| 1-minute sustained (SSHWS/NWS) | |
| Highest winds | 35 mph (55 km/h) |
| Lowest pressure | 1005 mbar (hPa); 29.68 inHg |
| Overall effects | |
| Fatalities | 7 |
| Areas affected | Southern Mexico (especially Oaxaca), Guatemala, El Salvador |
Part of the 2019 Pacific hurricane season (unofficially) | |
Potential Tropical Cyclone Seventeen-E was a tropical disturbance that caused damaging floods in Southern Mexico, Guatemala, and El Salvador in mid-October 2019. A tropical wave entered the Eastern Pacific Ocean during October 13–14, and a low-pressure area developed by October 14 to the west of Nicaragua. Convection, also known as thunderstorm activity, associated with the system increased in both intensity and extent during October 15, while the system was south of Guatemala. The National Hurricane Center initiated advisories on the system as Potential Tropical Cyclone Seventeen-E on October 16, anticipating that the system would become a tropical cyclone before reaching the southern coast of Mexico. During its existence as a potential tropical cyclone, Seventeen-E had winds of 35 mph (55 km/h) and a pressure of 1,005 mbar (29.68 inHg). As the storm tracked northwestward towards the coast, its structure decayed, and the chance of tropical cyclogenesis decreased markedly. The disturbance made landfall between Bahias de Huatulco and Salina Cruz, Oaxaca, during mid-day October 16 and dissipated a few hours later.
A tropical storm watch was issued for the southern coast of Mexico on October 16. Torrential rainfall occurred throughout the Isthmus of Tehuantepec, Guatemala, and El Salvador. The highest rainfall occurred in the state of Oaxaca, where 445 mm (17.5 in) was recorded. There, rainfall flooded and damaged roads and caused rivers to spill their banks; hundreds of homes and other structures were inundated by floodwaters. Several communities were left isolated as a result of rivers flooding roads and bridges. A river also overflowed in Ometepec, Guerrero, sending floodwaters into Talapa. Plan DN-III-E, a disaster relief and rescue plan, was activated in Oaxaca, Guerrero, and Tabasco states. Troops from the Mexican Army were called in to assist with cleanup and rescue efforts in Oaxaca. The storm left a total of 7 people dead in Central America; 6 people were killed in El Salvador and 1 in Guatemala. Nearly 2,000 people were forced to evacuate in El Salvador. There, over 100 homes were inundated and more than 100 schools were damaged. Over 100 landslides occurred and nearly 5 dozen trees fell, damaging roads and homes. Around 10 percent of the country's seasonal bean crop was destroyed. In Guatemala, the streets of several towns were flooded, and landslides and felled trees blocked roads and damaged structures. The Guatemalan government readied emergency supplies for those affected by the storm.