Ingrid (2013)

A broad area of disturbed weather in the northwestern Caribbean organized into a low on 11 September 2013 and moved over the Bay of Campeche. A tropical depression formed about 1800 UTC 12 September roughly 150 nautical miles east‑northeast of Veracruz, Mexico. The system strengthened into Tropical Storm Ingrid on 13 September, turned northward and became a hurricane late on 14 September, reached peak intensity early on 15 September, then weakened and moved ashore in northeastern Mexico before dissipating on 17 September.

Ingrid made landfall just south of La Pesca, Tamaulipas, around 1115 UTC 16 September 2013 as a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of about 55 kt (63 mph). Prior to landfall it had executed a loop and moved generally northwestward from the southwestern Gulf of Mexico before turning west‑northwest into northeastern Mexico, where it quickly weakened over land and dissipated on 17 September.

The storm’s peak intensity was estimated at 75 kt (approximately 86 mph) with a minimum central pressure of about 983 mb, making it a Category 1 hurricane at its strongest early on 15 September. Aircraft and dropsonde measurements, along with surface wind estimates, were used to determine the peak wind and pressure values.

Storm surge reports were limited; tides of about 1 foot above normal were observed along the lower Texas coast, and no tide data were available near the Mexican landfall point. Rainfall was heavy across parts of Mexico—especially Tabasco, Veracruz, and Tamaulipas—with notable totals including 20.11 inches at Tuxpan and 19.77 inches at Presa Vicente Guerrero (rainfall totals are for 11–20 September). Many other locations in northeastern and eastern Mexico reported totals in excess of 10 inches.

Mexico reported 32 fatalities associated with Ingrid (a breakdown into direct and indirect deaths was not provided). In combination with nearby Eastern Pacific Hurricane Manuel, Ingrid produced widespread flooding and numerous destructive mudslides across several Mexican states. Insured losses in Mexico were estimated at about $230 million (USD). Watches and warnings were issued for the coast of Mexico with hurricane warnings in place about 39 hours before landfall; track forecasts were generally good, while intensity forecasts proved more challenging.