It continued to the north, and after passing a short distance east of Baja California Sur it made landfall on Topolobampo in the state of Sinaloa with winds of 80 mph (130 km/h).

Moisture from the storm extended into the United States, causing heavy rainfall and localized moderate damage in southeastern New Mexico.

Convective banding became better organized, and late on September 12 it developed into Tropical Depression Ten-E while located about 350 miles (560 km) south-southwest of Manzanillo, Colima.

The depression moved to the northwest, and following an increase in deep convection it intensified into Tropical Storm Ismael early on September 13.

[1] Upon attaining tropical storm status, Ismael was located in an area of warm water temperatures with well-established upper-level outflow.

[2] Initially the storm moved to the northwest, though in response to the interaction with an upper-level low over Baja California Ismael gradually turned to the north.

[2] Ismael steadily strengthened as it moved northward, though it failed to organize significantly; early on September 14 the center remained poorly defined despite winds of 70 mph (110 km/h).

Ismael rapidly weakened as the circulation crossed the high terrain of the Sierra Madre Occidental, and it dissipated early on September 16 about 55 miles (89 km) south of the Mexico/United States border.

However, when a northward motion became apparent, the government of Mexico issued a tropical storm warning from Manzanillo, Colima, to Cabo Corrientes, Jalisco and for the Islas Marias.

The hurricane, which was forecast to move more slowly, left hundreds of fishermen unprepared[5] due to deficient communications between the boats and harbor authorities.

[7] While moving through northwestern Mexico, Hurricane Ismael dropped moderate to heavy rainfall including a state record of 7.76 inches (197 mm) in Sinaloa, resulting in the flooding of four municipalities.

[11] The remnants of Ismael produced over 3 inches (76 mm) of rain in southwestern Oklahoma and northern Arkansas,[9] with moisture extending eastward into the Mid-Atlantic States.

[12] Due to the damage and deaths, the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) retired the name Ismael and replaced it with Israel, another Spanish name beginning with the letter "I" for use in the 2001 season.

However, after leaders of the Anti-Defamation League and the Zionist Organization of America made public remarks in the spring of 2001 sharply criticizing usage of the name, hundreds of people sent e-mails or called the National Hurricane Center (NHC) to express their opposition to its use.