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Tropical Storm Sara

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This article is about the 2024 Atlantic tropical storm. For other similarly named storms, see List of storms named Sarah.
Tropical Storm Sara
Tropical Storm Sara off the coast of Honduras on November 15
Meteorological history
FormedNovember 14, 2024
DissipatedNovember 18, 2024
Tropical storm
1-minute sustained (SSHWS/NWS)
Highest winds50 mph (85 km/h)
Lowest pressure997 mbar (hPa); 29.44 inHg
Overall effects
Fatalities5
Missing3
DamageUnknown
Areas affectedDominican Republic, Haiti, Honduras, Nicaragua, Guatemala, Belize, Mexico (Yucatán Peninsula)
Part of the 2024 Atlantic hurricane season

Tropical Storm Sara was a weak tropical cyclone that nonetheless caused severe flooding in Central America in November 2024. The eighteenth named storm of the 2024 Atlantic hurricane season, Sara developed from a disturbance over the central Caribbean Sea. It consolidated into a tropical depression early on November 14, and strengthened into Tropical Storm Sara later that same day. The next day, the storm grazed and slowly moved parallel to the northern coast of Honduras. Later, on the morning of November 17, Sara made landfall near Dangriga, Belize. Inland, the storm weakened into a tropical depression, then degenerated into a remnant low while over Mexico's Yucatán Peninsula.

Meteorological history

Map plotting the storm's track and intensity, according to the Saffir–Simpson scale
Map key
Saffir–Simpson scale
  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
triangle Extratropical cyclone, remnant low, tropical disturbance, or monsoon depression

On November 11, an area of low-pressure associated with a tropical wave formed south of Hispaniola over the central Caribbean Sea.[1] The system moved generally westward toward Central America into the next day, and the National Hurricane Center (NHC) noted the high possibility of further organization due to favorable environmental conditions.[2] Though its low-level circulation remained broad and elongated on the afternoon of November 13, the disturbance was deemed likely by the NHC to soon be bringing tropical storm or hurricane conditions to parts of Central America, and so was designated Potential Tropical Cyclone Nineteen.[3][4] Early during the morning of November 14, the system completed tropical cyclogenesis about 280 mi (450 km) east of Guanaja, Honduras, and was upgraded to Tropical Depression Nineteen.[5] That afternoon, the depression strengthened into Tropical Storm Sara.[6] On the evening of November 14, data from an Air Force Hurricane Hunter pass over Sara's the northern semicircle indicated that the storm had moved just inland or very near the northeastern coast of Honduras,[7] striking about 105 mi (165 km) west-northwest of Cabo Gracias a Dios.[8]

On November 15, Sara continued to slowly parallel the northern coast of Honduras, its center having reformed just offshore, between the Bay Islands and the mainland.[9] Then, later that day, the storm became stationary, and remained so into the next morning.[10][11] During the afternoon, the system began to move westward away from the Bay Islands into the Gulf of Honduras. Despite having stayed offshore, Sara remained a weak tropical storm with winds of 45 mph (75 km/h) due to the interaction between its broader circulation and the mountainous terrain of northern Honduras, and was struggling to produce deep convection.[12] Overnight, the system moved slowly west-northwestward at 5 mph (7 km/h).[13] Sara made landfall in Belize at around 14:00 UTC on November 17, near Dangriga, with sustained winds of 40 mph (65 km/h). Just before landfall, the storm underwent a burst of convection near the center, with bursting deep convection and lightning flashes.[14] About four hours after landfall, Sara weakened to a tropical depression inland over Belize.[15] The deteriorating system moved west-northwestward. Satellite imagery that evening showed a small area of convection persisting near and to the west of the estimated low-level center.[16] Sara soon lost its closed circulation, however, and degenerated into a trough of low pressure southwest of Campeche, Campeche. Its remnants proceeded then to emerge over the southwestern Gulf of Mexico.[17][18]

Preparations

On November 13, the governments of Honduras and Nicaragua issued hurricane watches and tropical storm warnings for the northeastern coast of Honduras from Punta Castilla to the Honduras–Nicaragua border and the northeastern coast of Nicaragua from the Honduras–Nicaragua border to Puerto Cabezas, respectively.[3] Guatemala's Caribbean and Belize's entire coast was placed under a tropical storm warning on November 15.[8][19]

President of Honduras Xiomara Castro declared a state of emergency for the nation.[20] Six departments in Honduras were placed under red warning and four under yellow.[21][22] Golosón and Juan Manuel Gálvez International Airports in Honduras were closed.[23] American and United Airlines waived some fees related to flight rescheduling.[24] Around 4,000 Hondurans moved to shelters as a result of Sara.[25]

The government of Belize's National Emergency Management Office activated its district committees.[26] Philip S. W. Goldson International Airport was closed.[27] From Middle Caye, 650 people left for the mainland.[27] Public transportation in San Pedro Town was suspended.[27]

In Mexico, the government rushed to repair buildings that lost their roofs due to strong winds earlier in the week.[28]

Impact

Casualties and damages by country
Country Deaths Missing
Dominican Republic 2 -
Haiti 1 2
Nicaragua - 1
Honduras 2 Un­known
Total 5 3

Hispanola

The nascent disturbance caused flooding in the Dominican Republic, resulting in the evacuation of 1,767 people, isolating 54 communities, destroying two homes and damaging 487 more. Two fishermen were left missing and were later found dead near Sabana de la Mar.[29] Floods also affected southern Haiti, killing one person, leaving two missing and damaging 3,554 houses in Sud Department.[30]

Central America

One person went missing and another was injured in Nicaragua. Around 800 houses and six schools were flooded, of which three were destroyed.[31]

Over 251 cities were isolated in Honduras.[25] Saopin bridge in La Ceiba collapsed due to flooding in the Cangrejal River.[32] A pedestrian bridge on the River Bermejo collapsed in San Pedro Sula.[33] The Ulúa and Chamelecón Rivers swelled up, approaching populated areas.[34] Three people were rescued in Gracias a Dios Department.[20] A man drowned in the department of Yoro.[10] A traffic accident occurred in Santa Cruz de Yojoa, killing another person.[35]

In Belize, Ambergris Caye saw flooding and beach erosion due to Sara.[27] Downtown San Ignacio was inundated.[36] Potable water in Guatemala was disrupted.[20]

Mexico

In Chetumal, Sara caused major flooding and damage.[37] Strong winds tore roofs off of houses, some of which had been reinstalled by trucks prior to the storm's arrival.[38] Garbage along the streets of Chetumal was piled up due to flooding as the sewers overflowed.[39]

Accuweather controversy

On November 12, the weather forecasting company AccuWeather forecasted that Sara would become a major Category 3 hurricane and make landfall in Florida as a Category 2 hurricane.[40] This forecast was subsequently republished by several news outlets, including Pensacola News Journal, who stated “Florida will be in Hurricane Sara's sights”, Newsweek, USA Today, and People Magazine, who stated, “A new tropical storm may make landfall in Florida next week, according to AccuWeather meteorologists.”[41][42][43][44] On November 14, Pensacola News Journal published an article showing the difference between the AccuWeather forecast and the official forecast from the National Hurricane Center, saying “Hurricane Sara and its path to Florida are now in limbo” due to multiple forecast scenarios.[45]

Once Tropical Storm Sara dissipated on November 18, several meteorologists pointed out the AccuWeather forecast, as Sara never even became a Category 1 hurricane and no impacts were observed in Florida. The chief meteorologist for WINK-TV, Matt Devitt, stated “The Accuweather cone was reckless and irresponsible. They put it out too early (again) when the forecast was still highly uncertain and before the NHC released their official forecast (they never called for Sara to become a hurricane).”[46] Paul Dellegatto, the chief meteorologist for WTVT stated, Accuweather’s “‘business model’ has apparently gone to getting clicks over responsible science.”[47]

See also

References

  1. ^ Reinhart, Brad (November 11, 2024). Tropical Weather Outlook (Report). Miami, Florida: National Hurricane Center. Retrieved November 13, 2024.
  2. ^ Kelly, Larry (November 13, 2024). Tropical Weather Outlook (Report). Miami, Florida: National Hurricane Center. Retrieved November 13, 2024.
  3. ^ a b Kelly, Larry (November 13, 2024). Potential Tropical Cyclone Nineteen Discussion Number 1 (Report). Miami, Florida: National Hurricane Center. Retrieved November 13, 2024.
  4. ^ Yablonski, Steven. "Potential Tropical Cyclone 19 forms, forecast to become Tropical Storm Sara and possibly impact Florida". FOX Weather. Retrieved November 13, 2024.
  5. ^ Suter, Ashley (November 14, 2024). "Tropical Depression Nineteen forms in the Caribbean; expected to become tropical storm today". Tampa Bay, Florida: WFLA. Retrieved November 14, 2024.
  6. ^ Czachor, Emily Mae (November 14, 2024). "Tropical Storm Sara forms in the Caribbean". CBS News. Retrieved November 14, 2024.
  7. ^ Reinhart, Brad (November 14, 2024). Tropical Storm Sara Discussion Number 6 (Report). Miami, Florida: National Hurricane Center. Retrieved November 15, 2024.
  8. ^ a b Castillo, Moisés (November 15, 2024). "Belize issues warnings as Tropical Storm Sara scrapes along Honduran coast, bringing heavy rain". AP News. Retrieved November 15, 2024.
  9. ^ Papin, Philippe (November 15, 2024). Tropical Storm Sara Discussion Number 8 (Report). Miami, Florida: National Hurricane Center. Retrieved November 15, 2024.
  10. ^ a b "Un Muerto Y Más De 47 Mil Personas Afectadas Por Tormenta Sara En Honduras; Seguirán Lluvia Oleaje Alto" [One Dead And More Than 47,000 People Affected By Storm Sara In Honduras; Rains And High Waves Will Continue]. El Universal. EFE. November 16, 2024. Retrieved November 16, 2024.
  11. ^ Filips, Sara (November 16, 2024). "Tropical Storm Sara nearly stationary, dumping heavy rainfall over central America". Tampa Bay, Florida: WFLA-TV. Retrieved November 16, 2024.
  12. ^ Papin, Philippe (November 16, 2024). Tropical Storm Sara Discussion Number 13 (Report). Miami, Florida: National Hurricane Center. Retrieved November 16, 2024.
  13. ^ Cangialosi, John (November 17, 2024). Tropical Storm Sara Advisory Number 15 (Report). Miami, Florida: National Hurricane Center. Retrieved November 17, 2024.
  14. ^ Papin, Philippe (November 17, 2024). Tropical Storm Sara Discussion Number 16 (Report). Miami, Florida: National Hurricane Center. Retrieved November 17, 2024.
  15. ^ Papin, Philippe (November 17, 2024). Tropical Depression Sara Intermediate Advisory Number 16A (Report). Miami, Florida: National Hurricane Center. Retrieved November 17, 2024.
  16. ^ Reinhart, Brad (November 17, 2024). Tropical Depression Sara Discussion Number 18 (Report). Miami, Florida: National Hurricane Center. Retrieved November 18, 2024.
  17. ^ Cangialosi, John (November 18, 2024). Remnants Of Sara Discussion Number 19 (Report). Miami, Florida: National Hurricane Center. Retrieved November 18, 2024.
  18. ^ McCloud, Cheryl (November 18, 2024). "Sara dissipates but could still impact Florida, Gulf Coast this week. See what to expect". Sarasota Herald-Tribune. Retrieved November 18, 2024.
  19. ^ Bridges, C. A. "National Hurricane Center tracking Tropical Storm Sara, will Florida be affected?". The DestinLog.com. Retrieved November 15, 2024.
  20. ^ a b c "Tropical Storm Sara Causes Severe Flooding in Honduras and Costa Rica". The Tico Times. November 17, 2024. Retrieved November 17, 2024.
  21. ^ "Cortés, en alerta roja por los estragos de la tormenta Sara en Honduras" [Cortés, in red alert for the ravages of Storm Sara in Honduras]. La Prensa (in Spanish). San Pedro Sula. November 16, 2024. Retrieved November 16, 2024.
  22. ^ Benitez, Kevin (November 16, 2024). "Elevan a alerta roja un departamento más del norte del país". Tiempo (in Spanish). Retrieved November 17, 2024.
  23. ^ "Cierran dos aeropuertos por fuertes lluvias: ¿Cuáles están operando?". El Heraldo (in Spanish). Retrieved November 15, 2024.
  24. ^ "Tropical Storm Sara to cause flooding across Central America". The Yucatan Times. November 15, 2024. Retrieved November 18, 2024.
  25. ^ a b "Tropical Depression Sara drenches Honduras and closes airports, at least one dead". Reuters. November 17, 2024. Retrieved November 17, 2024.
  26. ^ "Tropical Storm Warning Extended to Entire Belize Coast". Love FM Belize. November 15, 2024. Retrieved November 16, 2024.
  27. ^ a b c d "Tropical Storm Sara approaches Belize; heavy rainfall registered on the Cayes". San Pedro Sun. November 16, 2024. Retrieved November 17, 2024.
  28. ^ "Extensive bands of Tropical Storm Sara soaks coast". Riviera Maya News. November 17, 2024. Retrieved November 18, 2024.
  29. ^ "Lluvias dejan más de 50 comunidades incomunicadas" [Rains leave more than 50 communities isolated]. El Día (in Spanish). November 13, 2024. Retrieved November 14, 2024.
  30. ^ "Haiti - Floods (UN OCHA, NOAA-CPC) (ECHO Daily Flash of 18 November 2024)". ReliefWeb. November 18, 2024. Retrieved November 18, 2024.
  31. ^ "Un desaparecido, un herido y más de 2000 afectados por tormenta Sara en Nicaragua" [One missing, one injured and more than 2000 affected by storm Sara in Nicaragua]. Confidencial (in Spanish). November 16, 2024. Retrieved November 17, 2024.
  32. ^ "Aguaceros Generados Por Sara Colapsan Puente En Honduras" [Sara-Generated Showers Collapse Bridge In Honduras]. Tribuna Campeche (in Spanish). November 15, 2024. Retrieved November 16, 2024.
  33. ^ "Crecida del río Bermejo arrasa con puente peatonal en la Flor de Cuba de SPS" [Cresting of the River Bermejo sweeps with a pedestrian bridge in the Flor de Cuba de SPS]. La Prensa (in Spanish). November 16, 2024. Retrieved November 16, 2024.
  34. ^ "Un muerto y más de 47.000 personas afectadas por la tormenta tropical Sara en Honduras" [One dead and at least 47,000 people affected by Tropical Storm Sara in Honduras]. La Tribuna. Retrieved November 17, 2024.
  35. ^ "Accidente de tránsito en Santa Cruz de Yojoa deja un muerto y una herida" [Transit accident in Santa Cruz de Yojoa has one dead and another injured]. La Tribuna (in Spanish). November 16, 2024. Retrieved November 16, 2024.
  36. ^ "Cayo District Faces Flooding as Tropical Storm Sara Approaches". Love FM Belize. November 15, 2024. Retrieved November 17, 2024.
  37. ^ "Flooding in Chetumal due to tropical storm Sara". The Yucatan Times. November 17, 2024. Retrieved November 18, 2024.
  38. ^ "Extensive bands of Tropical Storm Sara soaks coast". Riviera Maya News. November 17, 2024. Retrieved November 18, 2024.
  39. ^ "FUERTES LLUVIAS DEJAN SÓLO AFECTACIONES MENORES: Saldo blanco en Chetumal, tras paso de la tormenta tropical "Sara"" [HEAVY RAINS LEAVES ONLY MINOR IMPACT: Chetumal remains untouched after the passage of tropical storm "Sara"]. Noticaribe (in Spanish). November 17, 2024. Retrieved November 18, 2024.
  40. ^ Rayno, Bernie. "Hurricane Sara is expected to form in the Caribbean and make landfall in Florida days later.⁣". X. AccuWeather. Retrieved November 18, 2024.
  41. ^ "Florida will be in Hurricane Sara's sights when it forms later this week. See impacts". PNJ. Pensacola News Journal. Retrieved November 18, 2024.
  42. ^ Pulver, Dinah Voyles. "Could Sara become a hurricane that hits Florida? Some forecasts say yes". USA Today. Retrieved November 18, 2024.
  43. ^ Flam, Charna. "New Tropical Storm Sara Likely to Develop in Caribbean, Here's How It Could Impact Florida". People. Retrieved November 18, 2024.
  44. ^ Skinner, Anna. "Potential Tropical Storm Sara's Path as Chances of Forming Jump by a Third". Newsweek. Retrieved November 18, 2024.
  45. ^ Girod, Brandon (November 14, 2024). "Hurricane Sara's future and Florida path in limbo as Tropical Storm Sara forms". Pensacola News Journal. Retrieved November 18, 2024.
  46. ^ Devitt, Matt. "This was 5 days ago from Accuweather. Sara just fell apart across the Yucatan Peninsula. It never became a Major Hurricane or even a Hurricane for that matter. Highest winds were 50 mph. They called for a Cat 2 Hurricane landfall in my viewing area of Southwest Florida, an area already on edge after 3 storm surge events this year from Debby, Helene and Milton. The Accuweather cone was reckless and irresponsible. They put it out too early (again) when the forecast was still highly uncertain and before the NHC released their official forecast (they never called for Sara to become a hurricane). I do believe Accuweather has good meteorologists, but the administrative / business decision to release these cones should be reconsidered in the offseason. It caused unnecessary stress to my viewers in Southwest Florida and dozens of "is this true?!" emails". X. WINK-TV. Retrieved November 18, 2024.
  47. ^ Dellegatto, Paul. "Just brutal. Their "business model" has apparently gone to getting clicks over responsible science". X. WTVT. Retrieved November 18, 2024.
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