| Tropical Storm (SSHS) | |
|---|---|
| Dalila near peak intensity. | |
| Formed | July 22, 2007 |
| Dissipated | July 27, 2007 |
| Highest winds | 1-minute sustained: 60 mph (95 km/h) |
| Lowest pressure | 995 mbar (hPa; 29.38 inHg) |
| Fatalities | 11 direct |
| Areas affected | Jalisco, Socorro Island, and Baja California Sur |
| Part of the 2007 Pacific hurricane season | |
Tropical Storm Dalila was a tropical storm that was active in the 2007 Pacific hurricane season. The seventh tropical cyclone and the fourth named tropical storm of the season, Dalila came from a tropical wave that entered the Eastern Pacific Ocean on July 17, 2007. It became a tropical depression five days later. It remained disorganized at times and eventually reached a peak intensity of 60 miles per hour on July 25 before degenerating into a remnant low two days later on July 27.
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An area of disturbed weather was first noticed a few hundred miles south-southwest of the Gulf of Tehuantepec on the morning of July 19. The National Hurricane Center noted the possibility of some slow development of the system over the following 48 hours.[1] 24 hours later, the circulation of the disturbance started to become more consolidated and better defined, leading the NHC to declare the possibility of the formation of a tropical depression.[2] Late on July 21, the National Hurricane Center initiated advisories on Tropical Depression Seven-E.[3] while 400 miles south of Manzanillo, Colima, Mexico.
The tropical depression initially moved west-northwestward for the first day of its existence until it turned northwestward around a mid-level ridge centered over Central Mexico.[4] The shear that had been preventing the tropical depression from strengthening began to decrease late July 23 and the depression strengthened into a tropical storm and was named Dalila while 350 miles southeast of Socorro Island in Mexico. Thereafter, the shear continued to weaken and Dalila reached a peak intensity of 60 miles per hour while 50 miles southeast of Socorro Island[4]. The center of the storm passed over or near the island during the early hours of July 25 while still at peak intensity[4]. The next day, Dalila began to weaken as it passed over cooler waters. Dalila weakened into a tropical depression on the 27th and degenerated into a remnant low twelve hours later. The remnant low countined to move west-northwestward over the next few days before slowing down and dissipating while 700 miles south of the Baja California peninsula on July 29[4].
Even though Dalila passed over Socorro Island with winds of 60 miles per hour, there was no reported deaths or damages.[4] As the storm weakened, it produced rough seas and heavy rains over parts of Baja California Sur.[5] Rainfall in excess of 400 mm (16 in) fell in parts of western Mexico on July 22.[6] The heavy rains triggered flooding in Jalisco that killed 11 people.[7][8] Three people drowned in a van after driving into a flooded road. Another van was also washed away by floodwaters, leading to the drowning of the driver. The fifth fatality also resulted from drowning near a hydroelectric plant.[9][10] Four people were killed after a train derailed on a flooded track. Five other people were injured by the crash, two of which were critically injured.[8] Flood waters up to 2 m (6.6 ft) covered numerous roads, stranding 45 vehicles and resulting in 21 accidents. Fifty homes were destroyed by the storm, leaving 200 people homeless.[11] The Government of Mexico supplied the affected residents with special care, blankets, and cardboard sheets.[12]