View source for Hurricane Flossie (1995)

{{Short description|Category 1 Pacific hurricane in 1995}}
{{infobox weather event
| name = Hurricane Flossie
| image = Flossie 1995-08-10 2045Z.png
| caption = Hurricane Flossie south of the [[Baja California peninsula]]
| formed = August&nbsp;7, 1995
| dissipated = August&nbsp;14, 1995
}}{{infobox weather event/NWS
| winds = 70
| pressure = 978
}}{{infobox weather event/Effects
| year = 1995
| fatalities = 8
| damage = 5000000
| areas = Mexico, [[Arizona]]
| refs = 
}}{{infobox weather event/Footer
| season = [[1995 Pacific hurricane season]]
}}
'''Hurricane Flossie''' was a tropical cyclone which impacted Mexico and [[Arizona]] in August 1995. The seventh [[tropical cyclone]], sixth named storm and fourth hurricane of the [[1995 Pacific hurricane season]], Flossie formed out of a large circulation as a tropical depression on August&nbsp;7. The tropical depression slowly moved westward, and strengthened into a tropical storm late on August&nbsp;8, though it was not designated as Tropical Storm Flossie until August&nbsp;9. Flossie turned more northwest and gradually strengthened, eventually reaching hurricane strength on August&nbsp;10, and reached peak intensity 12 hours later. After this, Flossie turned westward and started to weaken, being downgraded to a tropical storm on August&nbsp;12 and a tropical depression on August&nbsp;13, before finally dissipating on August&nbsp;14.

Flossie caused heavy impacts in Mexico and Arizona, with rain totals nearly reaching {{Convert|10|in|mm}} in parts of the [[Baja California Peninsula]] and {{Convert|4|in|mm}} in Arizona. In Mexico, two people drowned in [[Cabo San Lucas]], and another five died in the cities of [[Puerto Vallarta]] and [[Mazatlán]]. In Arizona, one person died while attempting to drive through a flash flood, while at least eleven more were injured. Water, electricity and telephone services were cut off to many Arizonan customers. Damage in Arizona totaled to at least $5 million (1995 USD).

== Meteorological history ==
{{Storm path|Flossie 1995 track.png}}A large cyclonic circulation was located within the eastern [[Pacific Ocean]] throughout early August. Containing a low pressure area, it eventually became a tropical depression with {{Convert|35|mph|km/h|round=5|abbr=on}} winds at approximately 12:00 [[UTC]] on August&nbsp;7, while roughly 300 miles west–southwest of [[Acapulco]]. It proceeded to move west–northwest over the next day, and at 18:00 UTC on August&nbsp;8, the depression strengthened further to a tropical storm.<ref name="flossietcr" /> Operationally, the storm was not identified until 03:00 UTC on August&nbsp;9, upon which it was designated Tropical Depression Seven-E.<ref name="Gabrielle1">{{cite web|author=Rappaport|first=Edward N.|date=August 8, 1995|title=Tropical Depression Seven-E-E Discussion Number 1|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/storm_wallets/atlantic/atl1995/gabriell/tropdisc/nal0895.001|access-date=January 23, 2022|publisher=[[National Hurricane Center]]}}</ref> The next advisory, six hours later, designated it as Tropical Storm Flossie.<ref name="Gabrielle12">{{cite web|author=Rappaport|first=Edward N.|date=August 9, 1995|title=Tropical Storm Flossie Discussion Number 2|url=https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/storm_wallets/epacific/ep1995/flossie/tropdisc/nep0795.002|access-date=January 23, 2022|publisher=[[National Hurricane Center]]}}</ref> Turning more northwest, the storm moved parallel to the Mexican coast while gradually strengthening.<ref name="flossietcr">{{cite web|author=Rappaport|first=Edward N.|year=1995|title=Hurricane Flossie Tropical Cyclone Report|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/1995flossie.html|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060621065350/http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/1995flossie.html|archive-date=2006-06-21|access-date=2011-01-31|publisher=National Hurricane Center}}</ref>

[[Wind shear]] around the storm decreased, aiding development, and by 06:00 UTC on August&nbsp;10, Flossie strengthened into a hurricane. Six hours later, Flossie reached peak winds of {{convert|80|mph|km/h|abbr=on}}, and another six hours later, deepened to its lowest pressure at {{convert|978|mb|inHg|2}}. Around this time, Flossie made its closest approach to land, being located around {{convert|75|mi|km}} southwest of the [[Baja California Peninsula]].<ref name="flossietcr" /> Operationally, Flossie was assessed as having maintained peak winds of {{convert|75|mph|km/h|abbr=on}} and a lowest pressure of {{convert|987|mb|inHg|abbr=on}} from when it was operationally designated as a hurricane, at 18:00 UTC on August&nbsp;10, to 09:00 UTC on August&nbsp;12.<ref>{{Citation|last1=Mayfield|title=Hurricane Flossie storm wallets: Marine Advisories 8–16|date=July 1, 1996|url=https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/storm_wallets/epacific/ep1995/flossie/marine|last2=Jarrell|last3=Pasch|last4=Rappaport|last5=Lyons}}</ref> Flossie proceeded to move over cooler waters, weakening and turning further westward. At 06:00 UTC on August&nbsp;12, the storm weakened below hurricane strength, and weakened to below tropical storm strength 24 hours later.<ref name="flossietcr" /> Flossie ultimately dissipated on August&nbsp;14;<ref name="flossietcr" /> advisories had been stopped three hours earlier.<ref name="Gabrielle13">{{cite web|author=Pasch|first=Richard|date=August 13, 1995|title=Tropical Depression Flossie Discussion Number 22|url=https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/storm_wallets/epacific/ep1995/flossie/tropdisc/nep0795.022|access-date=January 23, 2022|publisher=[[National Hurricane Center]]}}</ref> Throughout most of the storm's life, it moved at a speed somewhere between {{convert|6|and|12|mph|km/h|abbr=on}}.<ref name="flossietcr" /> Flossie also negatively impacted [[Tropical Storm Gabrielle (1995)|Tropical Storm Gabrielle]]'s development in the Atlantic.<ref name="HPC">{{cite web|author=David B. Roth|date=January 27, 2007|title=Tropical Storm Gabrielle - August 9–14, 1995|url=http://www.wpc.ncep.noaa.gov/tropical/rain/gabrielle1995.html|access-date=August 16, 2012|publisher=[[Hydrometeorological Prediction Center]]}}</ref>

== Preparations and impact ==

=== Mexico ===
[[File:Flossie 1995 rainfall.gif|alt=A color-coded map showing where and how much rain fell across Mexico.|thumb|A map of Flossie's rainfall in Mexico]]
Mexico issued a [[tropical storm warning]] at 15:00 UTC on August&nbsp;9 from Punta Tejupan to [[Cabo Corrientes, Jalisco|Cabo Corrientes]]; this warning was discontinued six hours later. A [[tropical storm watch]] was issued for the portions of [[Baja California Sur]] south of [[La Paz, Baja California Sur|La Paz]] at 21:00 UTC on August&nbsp;9; at 15:00 UTC on August&nbsp;10, the watch was upgraded to a warning. The warning was extended from [[San Juanico, Baja California Sur|San Juanico]] to [[Loreto, Baja California Sur|Loreto]] on August&nbsp;11 at 10:00 UTC. All warnings for Baja California Sur were discontinued at 00:00 UTC on August&nbsp;12.<ref name="flossietcr" /> Ports in [[Cabo San Lucas]] and [[Mazatlán]] were closed on August&nbsp;10 in preparation for the storm.<ref name=":1">{{Cite news|date=August 11, 1995|title=Mexico bombarded by tropical storms|page=4|work=[[Arizona Daily Star]]|agency=[[Associated Press]]|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/93023403/mexico-bombarded-by-tropical-storms/|access-date=January 20, 2022|via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}</ref>

Flossie killed five people in the cities of [[Puerto Vallarta]] and Mazatlán.<ref>{{Cite news|date=August 13, 1995|title=Pertubación ciclónica Gabrielle alivia sequía en el norte del país|language=Spanish|page=23|work=[[El Nuevo Herald]]|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/92952190/pertubacin-ciclnica-gabrielle/|access-date=January 19, 2022|via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> Another two deaths occurred in [[Cabo San Lucas]], where a man and his son drowned.<ref name="FlossieMarkCabo">{{Cite news|last=Thomas|first=Pete|date=August 16, 1995|title=Hurricane Flossie Leaves Mark in Cabo|page=46|work=[[Los Angeles Times]]|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/92952328/hurricane-flossie-leaves-mark-in-cabo/|access-date=January 19, 2022|via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> Three fishermen went missing from [[Punta Perula]] (south of Puerto Vallarta) on August 8.<ref name=":1"/> [[Swell (ocean)|Swells]] over {{Convert|10|ft|m|adj=}} struck Cabo San Lucas, which also recorded a {{Convert|55|mph|km/h|abbr=on}} wind gust; not far away, [[San José del Cabo]] recorded a {{Convert|63|mph|km/h|abbr=on}} gust.<ref name="flossietcr" /><ref name="FlossieMarkCabo" /> Approximately 1,000 people were evacuated in the area.<ref>{{Cite news|date=August 12, 1995|title=Gabrielle gathers strength over Gulf|page=12|work=[[Daily Press (California)|Daily Press]]|agency=Associated Press|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/92969511/gabrielle-gathers-strength-over-gulf/|access-date=January 19, 2022|via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> A cruise ship along the Mexican coast was forced to return to port.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Broersma|first=Dirk|date=August 15, 1995|title=VOYAGE TO NOWHERE|page=1|work=[[News-Pilot]]|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/93005431/voyage-to-nowherepassengers/|access-date=January 19, 2022|via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> The Palmilla Fleet lost five of her six ships in the Palmilla Bay, north of Cabo San Lucas.<ref name="FlossieMarkCabo" /> The highest rain totals were {{Convert|9.72|in|mm}} in [[San Felipe, Baja California|San Felipe]] and [[Los Cabos Municipality|Los Cabos]].<ref name="hpc">{{cite report|url=https://www.wpc.ncep.noaa.gov/tropical/rain/flossie1995.html|title=Hurricane Flossie - August 7-13, 1995|author=M. Roth|first=David|date=1995|publisher=Hydrometeorological Prediction Center|access-date=January 18, 2022}}</ref>

=== United States ===
[[File:Ambulance rescue during Hurricane Flossie in 1995.jpg|alt=A man in a stretcher being taken to an ambulance, with damaged buildings in the background behind him.|thumb|An image showcasing injuries and property damage from Flossie in Arizona]]
Flossie brought hurricane-force wind gusts,<ref name="azap" /> {{Convert|0.75|in|cm|adj=on}} hail,<ref name="Puerto Rico Event Report: Flood2">{{cite web|last=|first=|year=1995|title=Tucson Event Report: Hail|url=https://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=10316269|work=[[National Climatic Data Center]]|publisher=[[National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration]]|accessdate=January 19, 2022}}</ref> and up to {{Convert|4|in|mm|abbr=}} of rain to Arizona.<ref name=":0">{{Cite news|last=Haussler|first=Alexa|date=August 13, 1995|title=Tucsonans patch, clean after Friday's big storm – Damage, Continued from Page 1|page=17A|work=Arizona Daily Star|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/92987574/tusconans-patch-clean-after-fridays/|access-date=January 19, 2022|via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> [[Flash flood warning]]s were issued for [[Santa Cruz County, Arizona|Santa Cruz]], [[Graham County, Arizona|Graham]] and [[Pinal County, Arizona|Pinal]] counties on the night of August&nbsp;10; all were canceled an hour after issuing. Another set of warnings were issued throughout the night of August&nbsp;11 and the morning of August&nbsp;12; two were issued for Graham County, covering two and a half hours, while another two were issued in [[Gila County, Arizona|Gila County]], covering four hours.<ref>{{Cite web|last=|first=|title=IEM :: NWS Watches Warnings Advisories Download|url=https://mesonet.agron.iastate.edu/request/gis/watchwarn.phtml|access-date=January 25, 2022|website=Iowa Environmental Mesonet|publisher=[[Iowa State University]]|language=en}}</ref> A woman drowned in [[Tucson]] after attempting to drive through a flash flood and being swept into a canyon; two people attempted to save her, but were unable to.<ref name="azap" /><ref name=":0" /> Another eleven motorists in the area were stranded;<ref name="azap">{{cite news|date=August 12, 1995|title=Rain, Wind Lash Tucson; Flood Kills Motorist|work=Los Angeles Times|agency=Associated Press|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1995-08-12-mn-34253-story.html|url-status=live|access-date=January 31, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130412113247/http://articles.latimes.com/1995-08-12/news/mn-34253_1_flood-kills-motorist|archive-date=April 12, 2013}}</ref> one motorist also floated down the same [[Arroyo (creek)|arroyo]] as the woman who died, but was able to escape.<ref name=":0" /> A total of eight people were injured in a five-car pileup on [[Interstate 19]]; fallen power poles blocked some portions of the highway, and a {{Convert|6|mi|km|adj=on}} stretch had to be closed for several hours.<ref name=":2">{{Cite news|last1=Peckham|first1=Norman|last2=Graham|first2=Mike|last3=Cole|first3=Norma|date=August 12, 1995|title=Storm does heavy damage as it sweeps across the city|page=3|work=[[Tucson Citizen]]|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/93023347/storm-does-heavy-damage-as-it-sweeps/|access-date=January 20, 2022|via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> Another three people were injured after their mobile homes were turned over as a result of gusty winds.<ref>{{Cite news|date=August 13, 1995|title=Winds, rain pound state|page=3|work=[[Arizona Daily Sun]]|agency=Associated Press|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/92989973/winds-rain-pound-state/|access-date=January 19, 2022|via=Newspapers.com}}</ref>

Flossie damaged a warehouse belonging to the [[Muscular Dystrophy Association]], containing 10,000 videotapes of [[The Jerry Lewis MDA Labor Day Telethon|annual association Jerry Lewis telethons]].<ref name=":0" /> At least 35,000 electricity customers lost power at the height of the storm; 1,000 of them were still without power the next day.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Haussler|first=Alexa|date=August 13, 1995|title=Tucsonans patch, clean after Friday's big storm|page=1|work=Arizona Daily Star|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/92986614/tusconans-patch-clean-after-fridays/|access-date=January 19, 2022|via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> A reservoir providing water to 50,000 people in Tucson was contaminated by the storm and had to be closed;<ref>{{Cite news|last=Bagwell|first=Keith|date=August 15, 1995|title=Reservoir shut down due to storm damage|page=2B|work=Arizona Daily Star|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/93023536/reservoir-shut-down-due-to-storm-damage/|access-date=January 20, 2022|via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> it resumed service 17 days later.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Bagwell|first=Keith|date=August 30, 1995|title=Treated TCE water returns to the pipeline|page=3B|work=Arizona Daily Star|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/93025075/treated-tce-water-returns-to-the/|access-date=January 20, 2022|via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> The entire town of [[Green Valley, Arizona|Green Valley]] lost power due to the storm.<ref>{{Cite news|date=August 12, 1995|title=Tucson motorist dies in flash flood|page=186|work=[[Arizona Republic]]|agency=and also partially by the Associated Press|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/93003182/tucson-motorist-dies-in-flash-flood/|access-date=January 19, 2022|via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> [[US West]] landline service was knocked out for "hundreds of residents and businesses" around Tucson; two weeks later, many customers were still without landline service.<ref>{{Cite news|last=F. Rawlinson|first=John|date=August 25, 1995|title=U S West still flooded with storm repair work|page=3B|work=Arizona Daily Star|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/93025260/u-s-west-still-flooded-with-storm/|access-date=January 20, 2022|via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> Multiple roofs were blown off of houses.<ref name="Puerto Rico Event Report: Flood2" /> An [[American Red Cross]] shelter was put up in Tucson on August&nbsp;11; it expected to receive around 200 people,<ref>{{Cite news|last1=Salkowski|first1=Joe|last2=Haussler|first2=Alexa|date=August 12, 1995|title=Huge storm hits Tucson with death and chaos|page=1|work=Arizona Daily Star|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/93023181/huge-storm-hits-tucson-with-death-and/|access-date=January 19, 2022|via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> but did not receive anyone.<ref name=":2"/> Property damage in Arizona totaled to at least $5 million (1995 USD), of which over $2 million came around Tucson.<ref name="Puerto Rico Event Report: Flood22">{{cite web|last=|first=|year=1995|title=Tucson Event Report: Thunderstorm Wind|url=https://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=10316270|work=National Climatic Data Center|publisher=National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration|accessdate=January 19, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last=Volante|first=Enric|date=August 16, 1995|title=Storm's damage might hit $5 million|page=1|work=Arizona Daily Star|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/93024793/storms-damage-might-hit-5-million/|access-date=January 20, 2022|via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> Moisture from Flossie caused a flash flood warning to be issued in [[Cibola County, New Mexico]].<ref>{{Cite news|last=Daniels|first=Bruce|date=August 12, 1995|title=Pressure System Keeps Monsoons at Bay|page=2|work=[[Albuquerque Journal]]|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/93005198/pressure-system-keeps-monsoons-at-bay/|access-date=January 19, 2022|via=Newspapers.com}}</ref>

== See also ==
{{Portal|Tropical Cyclones|Arizona|Mexico}}
* [[Hurricane Henriette (1995)]] – Made landfall in the Baja California Peninsula later in 1995
* [[Hurricane Ismael]] – Caused significant damage and over 100 deaths in Mexico a month after Flossie
* [[Hurricane Nora (1997)]] – Struck the Baja California Peninsula and Arizona 2 years later
* [[List of Arizona hurricanes]]
* [[List of Baja California Peninsula hurricanes]]

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

{{1995 Pacific hurricane season buttons}}

[[Category:1995 Pacific hurricane season]]
[[Category:Pacific hurricanes in Mexico]]
[[Category:Hurricanes in Arizona]]
[[Category:1995 in Arizona]]
[[Category:August 1995 events in Mexico]]
[[Category:Category 1 Pacific hurricanes]]
[[Category:August 1995 events in the United States]]
[[Category:1995 natural disasters in the United States]]