View source for Hurricane Cesar–Douglas

{{Short description|Category 4 Atlantic and Pacific hurricane in 1996}}
{{Other storms|List of storms named Cesar|the 1996 hurricane|List of storms named Douglas}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=June 2019}}
{{Infobox weather event
| image = Douglas 1996-08-01 1745Z.png
| caption = Hurricane Douglas near peak intensity on August&nbsp;1
| formed = July 24, 1996
| dissipated = August 6, 1996
}}{{Infobox weather event/NWS
| winds = 115
| pressure = 946
}}{{Infobox weather event/Effects
| year = 1996
| fatalities = 113{{efn|111 as Cesar, 2 as Douglas}}
| missing = 29
| damage = 203000000
| areas = {{flatlist|
*[[Windward Islands]]
*[[Trinidad and Tobago]]
*[[Leeward Antilles]]
*[[Venezuela]]
*[[Colombia]]
*[[Mexico]]
*[[Socorro Island]]
*[[Panama]]
*[[Guatemala]]
*[[El Salvador]]
}}
| refs = IBTrACS: [https://ncics.org/ibtracs/index.php?name=v04r00-1996207N12297 Cesar], [https://ncics.org/ibtracs/index.php?name=v04r00-1996211N13270 Douglas]
| ibtracs = 
}}{{Infobox weather event/Footer
| season = 1996 [[1996 Atlantic hurricane season|Atlantic]] and [[1996 Pacific hurricane season|Pacific hurricane]] seasons
}}

'''Hurricane Cesar–Douglas''' was one of the few [[tropical cyclone]]s to survive the [[List of Atlantic–Pacific crossover hurricanes|crossover]] from the Atlantic to east Pacific basin, and was the last to receive a new [[tropical cyclone naming|storm name]] upon doing so. '''Hurricane Cesar''' was the third named storm and second hurricane of the [[1996 Atlantic hurricane season]]. The system formed in the southern Caribbean Sea and affected several countries in South America before crossing [[Nicaragua]] and entering the [[Eastern Pacific]] where it was renamed '''Hurricane Douglas''', the fourth named storm, third hurricane, and first and strongest major hurricane of the [[1996 Pacific hurricane season]]. The storm killed 113&nbsp;people in [[Central America|Central]] and [[South America]] and left 29&nbsp;others missing, mainly due to flooding and mudslides.

== Meteorological history ==
{{Storm path|Cesar-Douglas 1996 track.png}}
The origins of Hurricane Cesar were from a [[tropical wave]] and an elongated [[area of low-pressure]] that emerged into the Atlantic from the west coast of Africa on July 17. For several days, the wave moved westward without any organization, although an [[anticyclone]] aloft provided conditions favorable for [[tropical cyclogenesis|development]]. On July 22, [[convection (meteorology)|convection]], or thunderstorms, increased along the wave as it approached the southern [[Windward Islands]]. Surface [[atmospheric pressure|pressure]] steadily dropped as the system moved through the [[Lesser Antilles]], and a [[atmospheric circulation|circulation]] began developing near [[Trinidad and Tobago]]. Based on surface and satellite data, it is estimated the system developed into Tropical Depression Three at 18:00&nbsp;[[UTC]] on July 24 near [[Isla Margarita]], off the north coast of [[Venezuela]].<ref name="CTCR"/> Operationally, the [[National Hurricane Center]] (NHC) did not consider it as a tropical depression until 18&nbsp;hours later.<ref name="CTCR"/><ref name="unisys">{{cite web|publisher=Unisys Corporation|year=2009|title=Operational Track Data on Hurricane Cesar|access-date=September 27, 2010|url=http://weather.unisys.com/hurricane/atlantic/1996H/CESAR/track.dat|format=[[List of file formats#Database|DAT]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110629111300/http://weather.unisys.com/hurricane/atlantic/1996H/CESAR/track.dat|archive-date=June 29, 2011|url-status=dead}}</ref>

With an unusually strong [[ridge (meteorology)|high pressure area]] located over [[The Bahamas]], the tropical depression moved westward through the southern Caribbean near the northern coast of South America. Around 1200&nbsp;UTC on July 25, it struck the island of [[Curaçao]], which reported sustained winds of {{convert|45|mph|km/h|abbr=on}}. The observation indicated the depression attained tropical storm status,<ref name="CTCR"/> although operationally the depression wasn't upgraded until the next day, at which point the NHC named the storm Cesar.<ref name="unisys"/> After crossing Curaçao, the storm moved near or over [[Guajira Peninsula]] in extreme northern [[Colombia]]. Its proximity to South America prevented significant strengthening, until late on July 26 when the storm reached the open waters of the southwest Caribbean Sea.<ref name="CTCR"/>

[[File:Cesar 1996-07-28 0415Z.png|thumb|right|Hurricane Cesar making landfall in Nicaragua on July 27]]

On July 27, Cesar attained hurricane status about halfway between [[Nicaragua]] and [[Colombia]]. Later that day, the hurricane passed over [[San Andrés (island)|San Andrés]] island. As Cesar approached Central America, a {{convert|17|mi|km|adj=on}} [[Eye (cyclone)|eye]] formed, surrounded by deep convection in the form of an eyewall. At about 0400&nbsp;UTC on July 28, Hurricane Cesar made [[landfall]] just north of [[Bluefields]], Nicaragua with winds of {{convert|75|mph|km/h|abbr=on}}. It moved quickly west-northward through the country, weakening to tropical storm status and emerging into the eastern Pacific Ocean by July 29.<ref name="CTCR"/> This made Cesar the most recent tropical cyclone to traverse from the Atlantic to east Pacific basin until [[Hurricane Otto]] achieved the same feat in 2016.<ref name="NOAA 1">{{cite web|last1=Stephen|first1=Caparotta|last2=Walston|first2=D|last3=Young|first3=Steven|last4=Padgett|first4=Gary|last5=Delgado|first5=Sandy|title=What tropical storms and hurricanes have moved from the Atlantic to the Northeast Pacific or vice versa?|url=http://www.aoml.noaa.gov/hrd/tcfaq/E15.html|website=NOAA|access-date=March 29, 2016}}</ref> In addition, following the dissipation of Cesar–Douglas there was a policy change which determined that future storms would retain their original name upon crossing into another basin.<ref name="Bay News 9">{{cite web|last1=Linker|first1=Josh|title=Weather Blog: Does a storm keep the same name?|url=http://www.baynews9.com/content/news/baynews9/news/article.html/content/news/articles/bn9/2016/11/22/weather_blog_does_a_.html|website=Bay News 9|access-date=November 25, 2016}}</ref> Upon reaching the Pacific, the system was [[tropical cyclone naming|renamed]] Tropical Depression Seven-E,<ref name="tdpa"/> but in a post-analysis it was determined the cyclone remained a tropical storm status while crossing Central America.<ref name="dtcr"/> Once its status as a tropical storm was determined operationally, it was named Tropical Storm Douglas. At the time, the agreement through the [[World Meteorological Organization]] was for storms to be renamed if they crossed from the Atlantic to the Pacific.<ref name="dtcr"/>

As the storm moved westward, it quickly intensified, with an eye-like feature developing by 09:00&nbsp;UTC on July 29.<ref>{{cite web|author=Richard Pasch|date=July 29, 1996|title=Tropical Storm Douglas Discussion Two|publisher=National Hurricane Center|access-date=September 27, 2010|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/storm_wallets/epacific/ep1996/douglas/tropdisc/nep0796.001}}</ref> Shortly thereafter, Douglas attained hurricane status about {{convert|115|mi|km|abbr=on}} southwest of the Guatemala/Mexico border.<ref name="dtcr"/> Around that time, [[tropical cyclone prediction model]]s anticipated two scenarios for the future of Douglas; one was a northwest track to make landfall near [[Acapulco]], and the other was a continued west-northwest track while remaining offshore.<ref>{{cite web|author=Jerry Jarrell|date=July 29, 1996|title=Tropical Storm Douglas Discussion Three|publisher=National Hurricane Center|access-date=September 27, 2010|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/storm_wallets/epacific/ep1996/douglas/tropdisc/nep0796.003}}</ref> Hurricane Douglas ultimately took the latter track.<ref name="dtcr"/> By late on July 29, the eye of the hurricane was well-defined on Mexican radar, and with favorable upper-level [[outflow (meteorology)|outflow]], warm [[sea surface temperature]]s, and a climatologically favorable region for intense hurricanes, the NHC forecast Douglas to strengthen to winds of {{convert|115|mph|km/h|abbr=on}}.<ref>{{cite web|author=Jerry Jarrell|date=July 29, 1996|title=Hurricane Douglas Discussion Five|publisher=National Hurricane Center|access-date=September 27, 2010|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/storm_wallets/epacific/ep1996/douglas/tropdisc/nep0796.005}}</ref> The next day, its structure became atypical of a strengthening hurricane, and the eye was briefly not seen on satellite imagery.<ref>{{cite web|author=Lixion Avila|date=July 30, 1996|title=Hurricane Douglas Discussion Eight|publisher=National Hurricane Center|access-date=September 27, 2010|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/storm_wallets/epacific/ep1996/douglas/tropdisc/nep0796.008}}</ref>

On July 31, Douglas became much better organized as it turned more west-northwestward,<ref>{{cite web|author=Richard Pasch|date=July 31, 1996|title=Hurricane Douglas Discussion Eleven|publisher=National Hurricane Center|access-date=September 27, 2010|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/storm_wallets/epacific/ep1996/douglas/tropdisc/nep0796.011}}</ref> and it attained [[tropical cyclone scales|major hurricane status]], or a Category&nbsp;3 on the [[Saffir–Simpson scale]], about {{convert|205|mi|km}} southwest of [[Manzanillo, Colima|Manzanillo]]. By early on August 1, Douglas reached peak winds of {{convert|130|mph|km/h|abbr=on}}, equivalent to a low end Category 4. Later that day, the hurricane attained its lowest pressure of 946&nbsp;[[bar (unit)|mbar]], about {{convert|275|mi|km}} south of the southern tip of the [[Baja California peninsula]]. Douglas maintained peak intensity for 36&nbsp;hours,<ref name="dtcr"/> until August 2 when the eye became less-organized as the overall convection began to weaken.<ref>{{cite web|author=Miles B. Lawrence|date=August 2, 1996|title=Hurricane Douglas Discussion Eighteen|publisher=National Hurricane Center|access-date=September 27, 2010|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/storm_wallets/epacific/ep1996/douglas/tropdisc/nep0796.018}}</ref> Weakening continued due to cooler waters as Douglas turned to the west, and on August 3 the hurricane deteriorated to tropical storm status.<ref name="dtcr"/> As a tropical storm, there was minimal deep convection, although the center remained very well-defined.<ref>{{cite web|author=Max Mayfield|date=August 4, 1996|title=Tropical Storm Douglas Discussion Twenty-Six|publisher=National Hurricane Center|access-date=September 27, 2010|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/storm_wallets/epacific/ep1996/douglas/tropdisc/nep0796.026}}</ref> On August 5, Douglas weakened to tropical depression status, and by the next day could no longer be classified as a tropical cyclone. The remnant circulation continued westward for several days.<ref name="dtcr"/>

==Preparations==
Prior to Cesar's arrival in Venezuela, a tropical storm warning was issued for areas west of [[La Vela de Coro]] to the border with Colombia; the warning was discontinued later that day.<ref name="CTCR"/> The government of Colombia issued a tropical storm warning on July 25 from the border with Venezuela to [[Barranquilla]] as well as the islands of [[Aruba]] and [[Curaçao]]. These warnings were discontinued later that day after the storm's passage.<ref name="CTCR"/>

As Cesar approached Central America, hurricane warnings were posted in Nicaragua 31 hours before landfall, leaving ample time to prepare for the hurricane. With [[Hurricane Joan–Miriam|Hurricane Joan]] occurring only 8 years prior, 10,724 people were evacuated before and during the hurricane to take refuge at special camps.<ref name="Red Alert">{{cite web|url=http://wwwnotes.reliefweb.int/w/RWB.NSF/480fa8736b88bbc3c12564f6004c8ad5/391edff2a8ac62c1c1256376003963fa?OpenDocument |title=Tropical Storm Puts Nicaragua on Red Alert |date=July 28, 1996 |publisher=ReliefWeb |access-date=January 22, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927182839/http://wwwnotes.reliefweb.int/w/RWB.NSF/480fa8736b88bbc3c12564f6004c8ad5/391edff2a8ac62c1c1256376003963fa?OpenDocument |archive-date=September 27, 2007  }}</ref>

On July 29, shortly after Cesar emerged into the Pacific Ocean and was reclassified Tropical Depression Seven-E, the government of Mexico issued a [[tropical cyclone warnings and watches|tropical storm watch]] from [[Puerto Madero, Chiapas|Puerto Madero]] to [[Acapulco]].<ref name="tdpa">{{cite web|author=Richard Pasch|date=July 29, 1996|title=Tropical Depression Seven-E Public Advisory 1A|publisher=National Hurricane Center|access-date=September 25, 2010|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/storm_wallets/epacific/ep1996/douglas/public/paep0796.001}}</ref> About 12&nbsp;hours later, after the depression intensified into Tropical Storm Douglas, the Mexican government canceled the watch and issued a new tropical storm warning from [[Salina Cruz]] to Acapulco; this was due to the large extent of tropical storm force winds associated with Douglas and its proximity to the south coast of Mexico. Another tropical storm watch was briefly issued on July 30 from Acapulco to [[Manzanillo, Colima|Manzanillo]].<ref name="dtcr">{{cite web|author=Lixion A. Avila|publisher=National Hurricane Center|date=October 24, 1996|title=Hurricane Douglas Preliminary Report|access-date=November 24, 2016|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/data/tcr/EP071996_Douglas.pdf}}</ref>

==Impact==
{| class="wikitable" align="right"
|+ '''Impact by Country'''
|-
! Country
! Deaths
! Missing
! Damage
! Sources
|-
| [[Colombia]]
| 14
| 0
| $440,000
|<ref name="Colombia1">{{cite web|author=Richard J. Quirk III |publisher=Center for Disaster Management and Humanitarian Assistance |date=October 15, 1999 |access-date=September 26, 2010 |title=Annex B to USCINCSO FuncPlan 6150-98 |url=http://www.cdmha.org/toolkit/cdmha-rltk/PUBLICATIONS/FP6150-99/6150b.doc |format=[[DOC (computing)|DOC]] |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110725151401/http://www.cdmha.org/toolkit/cdmha-rltk/PUBLICATIONS/FP6150-99/6150b.doc |archive-date=July 25, 2011  }}</ref><ref name="Colombia2">{{cite web|author=The Associated Press|publisher=ReliefWeb|date=July 30, 1996|access-date=September 26, 2010|title=Hurricane Douglas leaves at least 35 dead as it crosses from Caribbean to Pacific|url=http://www.reliefweb.int/rw/rwb.nsf/db900sid/ACOS-64C2CM?OpenDocument}}</ref><ref name="Colombia3">{{cite web|author=Staff Writer |publisher=El Tiempo |date=July 29, 1996 |access-date=September 27, 2010 |title=San Andrés Toma Aire Luego Del Huracán César |url=http://www.eltiempo.com/archivo/documento/MAM-419665 |language=es |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120929094059/http://www.eltiempo.com/archivo/documento/MAM-419665 |archive-date=September 29, 2012  }}</ref>
|-
| [[Curaçao]]
| 1
| 0
| Unknown
|<ref name="Curacao"/>
|-
| [[Costa Rica]]
| 39
| 29
| $151&nbsp;million
|<ref name="ECLAC">{{cite web|publisher=United Nations Economic Commission for Latin America and the Ceribbean |date=October 23, 1996 |access-date=January 14, 2013 |title=Effects of the Damage Caused by Hurricane Cesar on the Development of Costa Rica in 1996 |url=http://www2.cepal.org.mx/www3/rzapata/Documentos%20de%20Desastres/Hurricane%20Cesar%20Costa%20Rica%201996.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240409040707/http://www2.cepal.org.mx/www3/rzapata/Documentos%20de%20Desastres/Hurricane%20Cesar%20Costa%20Rica%201996.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-date=April 9, 2024 |type=Report }}</ref>
|-
| [[El Salvador]]
| 12
| 0 
| $10,000
|<ref name="IDD">{{cite web|publisher=Centre for Research on the Epidemiology of Disasters|year=2013|access-date=January 14, 2013|title=International Disaster Database|url=http://www.emdat.be/database|archive-date=September 6, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160906135830/http://www.emdat.be/database|url-status=dead}}</ref>
|-
| [[Guatemala]]
| 0
| 0
| $500,000
|<ref name="IDD"/>
|-
| [[Honduras]]
| 0
| 0
| $500,000
|<ref name="IDD"/>
|-
| Mexico
| 2
| 0 
| $10,000
|<ref name="IDD"/>
|-
| [[Nicaragua]]
| 42
| 0 
| $50.5&nbsp;million
|<ref name="IDD"/><ref>{{cite web|publisher=Global Facility for Disaster Reduction and Recovery |year=2013 |access-date=January 14, 2013 |title=Hurricane Cesar Nicaragua 1996 |url=https://www.gfdrr.org/node/625 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140201223629/https://www.gfdrr.org/node/625 |archive-date=February 1, 2014  }}</ref>
|-
| [[Venezuela]]
| 3
| 0 
| Unknown
|<ref name="VenezuelaDeaths">{{cite news|newspaper=Hamilton Spectator|date=July 27, 1996|title=Three dead after Cesar storms Caracas|location=Caracas, Venezuela}}</ref>
|-
! Total
! 113
! 29
! $202.96&nbsp;million
!
|}
Hurricane Cesar was a moisture-laden tropical cyclone that dropped heavy rains along its path through the southern [[Caribbean Sea]] and Central America. Damage was moderate to extreme due to mudslides and flooding, and at least 113 people were killed.

===Lesser Antilles and South America===
The precursor tropical wave to Cesar produced rains and gusty winds through a large portion of the Lesser Antilles.<ref name="CTCR">{{cite web|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/data/tcr/AL031996_Cesar.pdf|title=Hurricane Cesar Preliminary Report|last=Avila|first=Lixion|date=August 27, 1996|publisher=National Hurricane Center|access-date=November 24, 2016}}</ref> In Venezuela, heavy rains from the storm triggered flooding and landslides that killed at least five people.<ref name="VenezuelaDeaths"/> In the capital city of [[Caracas]], 45 people were left homeless as a result of the storm.<ref>{{cite news|author=Staff Writer|work=USA Today|date=July 27, 1996|title=Tropical Storm Cesar|page=12A}}</ref> Although the storm passed directly over the region, the [[ABC islands (Lesser Antilles)|ABC islands]] off the coast of Colombia and Venezuela received little rainfall, peaking at {{convert|0.15|in|mm|abbr=on}} on Curaçao. Peak gusts were also measured at {{convert|60|mph|km/h|abbr=on}} on the island.<ref name="CTCR"/> The winds caused minor damage to roofs and trees across all three islands, as well as rough surf that drowned one person in Curaçao.<ref name="Curacao">{{cite web|url=http://www.meteo.an/Include/Climate2/documents/HurricanesandTropicalStorms.pdf |title=Hurricanes and tropical storms in the Netherlands Antilles and Aruba |page=18 |publisher=Meteorological Service of the Netherlands Antilles and Aruba |access-date=November 6, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120402171906/http://www.meteo.an/Include/Climate2/documents/HurricanesandTropicalStorms.pdf |archive-date=April 2, 2012  }}</ref>

As a tropical storm, Cesar struck the northern coastline of [[Colombia]], bringing heavy rains and gusty winds. At least three people were killed in storm related incidents,<ref name="Colombia1"/> two of which occurred when an avalanche buried a house in [[Pueblo Bello]] in the northern part of the country.<ref>{{cite news|author=Staff Writer|newspaper=Lakeland Ledger|date=July 28, 1996|title=Caesar Blamed for Avalanche|access-date=September 28, 2010|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=4bwwAAAAIBAJ&pg=5570,4264762&dq=cesar+colombia&hl=en}}</ref> Cesar brought torrential rains to the [[Archipelago of San Andrés, Providencia and Santa Catalina]] offshore eastern [[Nicaragua]]. Eleven people were killed across the archipelago, including eight children who died in a landslide.<ref name="Colombia2"/> Across the islands, 60 homes lost their roofs and numerous trees were felled due to high winds. The local governor stated that losses from Cesar reached 800&nbsp;million [[Colombian peso|COP]] ($440,00&nbsp;USD).<ref name="Colombia3"/>

===Nicaragua===
Torrential rainfall was the immediate effect of Cesar, peaking at {{convert|10.7|in|mm}} at [[Bluefields, Nicaragua]] with many other locations reporting over {{convert|6|in|mm}}. The intense precipitation led to widespread mudslides and overflown rivers across the mountainous country. The most affected region was [[Lake Managua]] where the water level was approaching dangerous levels.<ref name="Emergency">{{cite web|url=http://wwwnotes.reliefweb.int/w/RWB.NSF/480fa8736b88bbc3c12564f6004c8ad5/7244b209ab92a1a1c125637600520244?OpenDocument |title=Nicaragua Declares Emergency After Storm |date=July 29, 1996 |publisher=[[Reuters Foundation]] |access-date=January 22, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927192831/http://wwwnotes.reliefweb.int/w/RWB.NSF/480fa8736b88bbc3c12564f6004c8ad5/7244b209ab92a1a1c125637600520244?OpenDocument |archive-date=September 27, 2007  }}</ref> The storm wrought extensive damage throughout the country, leaving roughly $50.5&nbsp;million in damage behind. Large portions of the country's crops were affected, resulting in a food shortage following the hurricane. According to Nicaraguan officials, more than 2,500 homes, 39 bridges and {{convert|40|km|mi|abbr=on}} of road were destroyed by Cesar. In all, the storm killed 42 people and left an estimated 100,000 homeless.<ref>{{cite web|publisher=Enfoque Integral Para El Análisis Probabilista Del Riesgo |title=Análisis Probabilista De Amenazas y Riesgos Naturales Revisión De Eventos Históricos Importantes |year=2009 |access-date=September 27, 2010 |url=http://www.ecapra.org/capra_wiki/es_wiki/images/8/84/Eventos_Hist%C3%B3ricos_Importantes_NIC.pdf |page=53 |language=es |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120313043319/http://www.ecapra.org/capra_wiki/es_wiki/images/8/84/Eventos_Hist%C3%B3ricos_Importantes_NIC.pdf |archive-date=March 13, 2012  }}</ref>

===Costa Rica===
Like Nicaragua, [[Costa Rica]] received heavy rainfall from Cesar, leading to mudslides and widespread flooding. River flooding damaged 51 houses and washed away 213 more; 72 bridges were also destroyed. The road network was significantly damaged.<ref name="28dead">{{cite web|url=http://wwwnotes.reliefweb.int/w/RWB.NSF/480fa8736b88bbc3c12564f6004c8ad5/9539a0c82a137d7ec1256377004dc520?OpenDocument|title=Hurricane Cesar Kills 28 in Central America|date=July 29, 1996|publisher=Reuters Foundation|access-date=January 22, 2010|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927194511/http://wwwnotes.reliefweb.int/w/RWB.NSF/480fa8736b88bbc3c12564f6004c8ad5/9539a0c82a137d7ec1256377004dc520?OpenDocument|archive-date=September 27, 2007}}</ref> Costa Rica requested international aid subsequent to the storm. Across the country, at least 39 people were killed and damage amounted to $151&nbsp;million. Additionally, 29 people were listed as missing.<ref name="ECLAC"/>

===El Salvador===
As Cesar continued westward, it produced heavy flooding and mudslides in western [[El Salvador]], killing 9 in the community of José Cecilio del Valle. Four others drowned in other parts of the country.<ref name="28dead"/>

===Mexico===
Hurricane Douglas brought up to {{convert|6|in|mm}} of rain on the south coast of Mexico and resulted in a {{convert|4|ft|m|adj=on}} storm surge. Two deaths by drowning were reported in Cabo San Lucas.<ref name="35dead">{{cite web|url=http://wwwnotes.reliefweb.int/w/RWB.NSF/480fa8736b88bbc3c12564f6004c8ad5/225921ce1d150f66c1256377003249a6?OpenDocument |title=Hurricane Douglas leaves at least 35 dead as it crosses from Caribbean to Pacific |date=July 30, 1996 |agency=[[Associated Press]] |access-date=January 22, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927183033/http://wwwnotes.reliefweb.int/w/RWB.NSF/480fa8736b88bbc3c12564f6004c8ad5/225921ce1d150f66c1256377003249a6?OpenDocument |archive-date=September 27, 2007  }}</ref>

==Retirement==
{{See also|List of retired Atlantic hurricane names}}
The name ''Cesar'' was retired in spring of 1997, and will not be used again in the Atlantic basin. It was replaced with ''[[Tropical Storm Cristobal|Cristobal]]'' in the [[2002 Atlantic hurricane season|2002 season]]. As the system had little impact on land while named ''Douglas'', that name was not retired from the Eastern Pacific rotating name lists, and so was used again.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Tropical Cyclone Names|publisher=National Hurricane Center|location=Miami, Florida|date=July 23, 2002|url=https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/aboutnames.shtml|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20021001030424/http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/aboutnames.shtml|archive-date=October 1, 2002|access-date=February 1, 2024}}</ref>

==See also==
{{Portal|Tropical cyclones}}
*[[List of Atlantic–Pacific crossover hurricanes]]
*[[List of storms named Douglas|Other storms named Douglas]]
*[[List of Category 1 Atlantic hurricanes]]
*[[List of Category 4 Pacific hurricanes]]
*[[Hurricane Irene–Olivia]] (1971)
*[[Hurricane Joan–Miriam]] (1988)
*[[Tropical Storm Bret (1993)]]
*[[Hurricane Bonnie (2022)]]
*[[Hurricane Julia (2022)]]

==Notes==
{{notelist}}

==References==
{{reflist|colwidth=30em}}

==External links==
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20130802021117/http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/1996cesar.html NHC Cesar Report]
*[http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/1996douglas.html NHC Douglas Report]

{{Retired Atlantic hurricanes}}
{{Category 4 Pacific hurricanes}}
{{List of Atlantic–Pacific crossover hurricanes}}
{{1996 Atlantic hurricane season buttons}}
{{1996 Pacific hurricane season buttons}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Cesar (1996)}}
[[Category:1996 Atlantic hurricane season|Cesar-Douglas]]
[[Category:1996 Pacific hurricane season|Cesar-Douglas]]
[[Category:Category 1 Atlantic hurricanes|Cesar-Douglas]]
[[Category:Category 4 Pacific hurricanes|Cesar-Douglas]]
[[Category:Retired Atlantic hurricanes|Cesar-Douglas]]
[[Category:Hurricanes in Nicaragua|Cesar-Douglas]]
[[Category:Hurricanes in Costa Rica|Cesar-Douglas]]
[[Category:Hurricanes in Colombia|Cesar-Douglas]]
[[Category:Hurricanes in El Salvador|Cesar-Douglas]]
[[Category:Pacific hurricanes in Mexico|Cesar-Douglas]]
[[Category:1996 in Mexico|Hurricane Cesar-Douglas]]
[[Category:1996 in Costa Rica|Hurricane Cesar-Douglas]]
[[Category:1996 in El Salvador|Hurricane Cesar-Douglas]]
[[Category:Hurricanes in the ABC islands (Leeward Antilles)]]
[[Category:July 1996]]
[[Category:August 1996]]