Hurricane Gert (1999)
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This article is about the Atlantic hurricane of 1999. For other uses, see the main article Hurricane Gert.
| Category 4 hurricane (SSHS) | ||
|---|---|---|
 Hurricane Gert at peak intensity |
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| Formed | September 11, 1999 | |
| Dissipated | September 23, 1999 | |
| Highest winds |
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| Lowest pressure | 930 mbar (hPa) | |
| Damage | $1.5 million (1999 USD) [1] $1.7 million (2005 USD) |
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| Fatalities | 2 direct | |
| Areas affected |
Bermuda, Atlantic Canada | |
| Part of the 1999 Atlantic hurricane season |
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Hurricane Gert was the seventh named storm and the forth major hurricane of the moderately active 1999 Atlantic hurricane season. A Cape Verde-type hurricane, Gert formed on September 11 off the coast of Africa before heading west-northwest and reaching a peak wind speed of 150 mph by September 15 over the open central Atlantic east-northeast of the Leeward Islands. Although Gert's center did not make landfall, its strength caused heavy surf along Bermuda and Atlantic Canada, which left two fatalities. Gert's outer rainbands also brought heavy rains and 75 mph winds to Bermuda and Atlantic Canada.
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[edit] Storm history
A tropical wave moved off the coast of Africa on September 11. The disturbance continued to move westward and strengthened to Tropical Depression Nine at 1200 UTC. After forming, the disorganized depression moved westward at 20 mph (17 knots, 32 km/h), where it strengthened into Tropical Storm Gert on September 12.
Still moving westward, Gert further intensified and became a hurricane on September 13. Located 1200 miles (1931 km) east of the Windward Islands, Hurricane Gert developed a well-defined eye and its winds increased to 125 mph (110 knots, 204 km/h). On September 15, Gert reached Category 4 status, and the winds then peaked at 150 mph (241 km/h) and the barometric pressure dropped to 930 millibars as the center was located 60 miles (97 km) north of Guadeloupe.
On September 16, a dropzone released by a hurricane hunter plane recorded wind speeds of 160-170 mph (261-275 km/h) and an unofficial pressure of 868 millibars. However, data from another dropzone recorded winds of 140 mph (225 km/h) at the surface.[2] On September 17, Gert underwent recurvature and began to weaken when the storm interacted with an approaching upper level system. At 1500 UTC, the winds dropped to 120 mph (194 km/h). The next day, Gert briefly regained strength before weakening again on September 21. Because of the influence of the approaching upper level system, Gert rapidly moved to the northeast. The center of Gert passed 150 miles (241 km) of Bermuda. Gert then weakened to a tropical storm as it by passed the Canadian Maritimes on September 22, before merging with an extratropical storm. [2]
[edit] Preparations
Gert's approach to Bermuda prompted officials to issue a tropical storm warning on September 19, and then a hurricane warning the next day. Forecasters expected Gert to pass 100 miles east of the island. The next day, however, forecasters predicted that Gert would pass 75 miles east of Bermuda and that the center of the storm would not make landfall.[3] At the same time, residents prepared for the storm as they evacuated from low-lying areas and schools were closed in order to be used as storm shelters. Nearly 700 residents left their homes while many tourists evacuated off the island. Cruise ships were diverted to safer areas and many flights were cancelled. [4] As predicted, Gert's center was far away from the island, causing the warnings to be discontinued on September 21.[5] In Newfoundland, offshore oil rigs stopped operations and workers were quickly evacuated. [4]
[edit] Impact
As Gert's center bypassed Bermuda, the storm dropped 0.53 inches (13.4 mm) of rain and wind gusts of 75-80 mph (121-130 km/h). [5] Even though it did not make landfall, the storm still brought heavy surf to the island. The surf damaged a house and made roads impassable.[4] There were also reports of moderate beach erosion [6] and several dolphins escaped when their pool broke apart by the flying debris. [7] Because of advanced warnings, there were no reports of deaths or injuries in Bermuda. On the East Coast of the United States, Gert generated a freak wave that caused two fatalities in Maine. [8] In Newfoundland there were no rainfall totals [9] and gale force winds were reported. A 50 ft wave damaged a sea wall and sank several fishing boats. Two storage sheds were also destroyed by the storm. Three people were swept out to sea by the heavy surf, all were rescue. In all, the storm left $1.5 million dollars (1999 USD) in damage in Newfoundland but there were no deaths or injuries. [1]
Because the damage from Hurricane Gert was not extreme, the name was not retired by the World Meteorological Organization, so it was used again in 2005 and will be used for the 2011 Atlantic hurricane season.
[edit] Miscellanea
Gert was one of five category 4 hurricanes to form during the 1999 season, a record currently tied with the 2005 season.
