| Tropical depression (SSHS) | |
|---|---|
| Tropical Depression Nine near peak intensity on September 19. | |
| Formed | September 19, 2001 |
| Dissipated | September 20, 2001 |
| Highest winds | 1-minute sustained: 35 mph (55 km/h) |
| Lowest pressure | 1005 mbar (hPa; 29.68 inHg) |
| Fatalities | None reported |
| Areas affected | Nicaragua, El Salvador |
| Part of the 2001 Atlantic hurricane season | |
Tropical Depression Nine was the ninth tropical depression of the 2001 Atlantic hurricane season. It formed off the Nicaraguan coast on September 19 and made landfall three hours later. The system quickly dissipated the next morning causing no reports of damage or deaths. The remnant of the depression would eventually form Pacific Hurricane Juliette.
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The origins of Tropical Depression Nine can be found in a tropical wave that moved off the west coast of Africa on September 11.[1] On September 16 the wave entered the Caribbean Sea. On September 19, as the wave had reached the south-western Caribbean Sea, thunderstorm activity had increased in both coverage and intensity.[1] Satellite imagery indicates that Tropical Depression Nine formed at 1800 UTC that day. At the time, the system was 50 miles (80 km) north-northwest of San Andres Island.[1]
At the time, it was noted that the system had two centers of circulation, one east of Costa Rica and one east of Puerto Cabezas, Nicaragua. Because the thunderstorm activity was more intense and persistent at the northern circulation (the one east of Nicaragua), advisories were started using that center.[2] At the time, forecasting models were predicting that the depression would make landfall in Nicaragua[2] and then enter the Eastern Pacific Ocean within 36 hours.[2] However, some models separated the system into two systems, with the northern center going into the Bay of Campeche and the southern center going westward through Costa Rica and into the Pacific while strengthening into a "significant tropical cyclone".[2] Also, at the time, upper level outflow was circular and was indicative of a more "mature" tropical cyclone.[2]
Within three hours of being upgraded into a tropical depression, it made landfall near Punta Cabezas, Nicaragua with winds of 35 mph (55 km/h) and weakening was immediately forecast.[1][3] Three hours later, the last advisory was issued as the lower level center became poorly defined because of interaction with the mountain of Central America and deep thunderstorm activity had diminished.[4] It was also noted that the depression had a potential to redevelop if it moved into the Pacific ocean in the next few days.[4] Although the depression never redeveloped, the tropical wave associated with it was responsible for the formation of Pacific Hurricane Juliette.[1][5]
When the depression first formed, a tropical storm watch was issued from Bluefields, Nicaragua to Dangriga, Belize. When the depression made landfall, this warning was discontinued.[2][4] Residents in El Salvador were advised to avoid rivers due to possible flooding but no mandatory evacuations were put in place. A green alert was issued in Nicaragua due to the threat of heavy rains and high winds. This alert remained in effect until September 21. Three children were injured by a fallen tree in the country.[6] The highest sustained winds on land from the depression were reported at Punta Cabezas, Nicaragua with winds of 30 mph (50 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 1006 mbar (hPa).[1] A total of 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain was recorded in Bluefields while up to 150 mm (5.9 in) was estimated to have fallen in mountainous areas.[7] Even though the depression passed over Central America, there are no reports of damage or deaths in the region due to the depression.[1]
In El Salvador, heavy rains from the depression helped alleviate drought conditions; however, flooding also inundated 200 homes in San Salvador along the Acelhuate River.[8] Fifteen farms were inundated by flooding, five of which were destroyed. Seventy people evacuated to shelters set up after the storm by the local Red Cross and armed forces. Military crews were quickly deployed to help clean up the damages on September 22.[9]