Barry (2013)

A broad low pressure associated with a tropical wave that left Africa on 8 June moved into the southwestern Caribbean by 15 June and became better organized near northern Panama. The system moved northwest, crossed inland over northeastern Nicaragua and then emerged over the northwestern Caribbean early on 17 June. A tropical depression formed near Utila Island, Honduras (about 20 nmi north-northwest of La Ceiba) at 1200 UTC 17 June. The system tracked west-northwestward into Belize, crossed southern Belize and northern Guatemala, re-emerged over the southern Bay of Campeche, strengthened to a tropical storm on 19 June, turned west under a ridge, and moved inland over eastern Mexico before dissipating early on 21 June.

Barry made two landfalls. The first landfall was near Big Creek, Belize around 2200 UTC 17 June as a tropical depression with peak winds of about 30 kt (35 mph). The second, and final, landfall occurred near Laguna La Mancha, Veracruz, Mexico around 1115 UTC 20 June as a tropical storm with sustained winds near 40 kt (46 mph).

The maximum intensity recorded for Barry was 40 kt (46 mph) with an estimated minimum central pressure of 1003 mb, corresponding to a tropical storm (not a hurricane). These peak values were reached shortly before the 20 June landfall in Veracruz.

Storm surge and rainfall were mainly freshwater flooding and heavy rains rather than extreme surge. Notable rainfall totals reported by Mexico’s meteorological service included 6.30 inches (160 mm) at Tenochtitlan, Veracruz and 5.51 inches (140 mm) at Teziutlan, Puebla. Southern Belize received nearly 10 inches of rain in 24 hours, causing river overflows; rivers and culverts were damaged and homes flooded along Hope Creek. Wind reports included single-station or platform observations such as 34–35 kt measurements from PEMEX oil rigs in the Bay of Campeche.

Five direct deaths were attributed to Barry and its precursor rainfall: two in El Salvador (one presumed drowned after being swept away) and three in Mexico (including drownings in Oaxaca and Veracruz). The system caused flooding, mudslides, and wind damage across parts of Central America, Belize, Honduras, and eastern Mexico. In Honduras dozens of homes were damaged and hundreds were temporarily homeless around La Ceiba; in Veracruz multiple municipalities reported significant damage, evacuations (about 1,200 people), and injuries. No overall monetary damage estimate was available in the report.

The storm’s formation was poorly anticipated in early forecasts; the disturbance’s chance of development was raised to a medium category only about 18 hours before genesis. NHC track forecasts for Barry performed relatively well compared to typical recent errors, while intensity guidance showed mixed skill with several models outperforming the official intensity forecast at some lead times.