Hurricane Isis (1998)

Hurricane Isis (1998)

Hurricane Isis at peak intensity just east of the Baja Peninsula on September 2
Meteorological history
Formed	September 1, 1998
Remnant low	September 3, 1998
Dissipated	September 8, 1998
Category 1 hurricane
1-minute sustained (SSHWS/NWS)
Highest winds	75 mph (120 km/h)
Lowest pressure	988 mbar (hPa); 29.18 inHg
Overall effects
Fatalities	14
Damage	$100 million
Areas affected	Baja California Peninsula, Northern Pacific coast of Mexico, Southwestern United States, Northwestern United States
IBTrACS
Part of the 1998 Pacific hurricane season

Hurricane Isis was the only hurricane to make landfall during the 1998 Pacific hurricane season. The ninth tropical storm and sixth hurricane of the season, Isis developed on September 1 from an interaction between a tropical wave and a large surface circulation to the southwest of Mexico. It moved northward, striking the extreme southeastern portion of the Baja California peninsula before attaining hurricane status in the Gulf of California. Isis made landfall at Topolobampo in the Mexican state of Sinaloa on September 3, and quickly lost its low-level circulation. The remnants persisted for several days before dissipating over the U.S. state of Idaho on September 8.

In Mexico, Isis destroyed over 700 houses and killed 14 people; this is primarily due to its heavy rainfall which peaked at over 20 inches (510 mm) in southern Baja California Sur. The rainfall caused widespread damage to roads and railways, stranding thousands of people. Moisture from the remnants of Isis extended into the southwestern United States, resulting in light rainfall, dozens of traffic accidents, and power outages to thousands of residents in San Diego County, California.