Hurricane Gert (1999)
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| Category 4 hurricane (SSHS) | ||
|---|---|---|
.gif) 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; 27.46 inHg) | |
| Fatalities | 2 direct | |
| Damage | $1.4 million (1999 USD) $1.8 million (2009 USD) |
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| 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 fourth 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] Meteorological 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.[1] 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) east 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. [1] Gert was one of five Category 4 hurricanes to form during the 1999 season, a record tied with the 2005 season.
[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.[2] 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. [3] As predicted, Gert's center was far away from the island, causing the warnings to be discontinued on September 21.[4] In Newfoundland, offshore oil rigs stopped operations and workers were quickly evacuated. [3]
[edit] Impact
As Gert's center bypassed Bermuda on October 21, the storm produced 10-minute sustained winds of 45 mph (72 km/h),[5] with gusts as high as 110 mph (180 km/h).[6] Additionally, peak one-minute sustained winds ranged from 76 to 81 mph (122 to 130 km/h). Rainfall amounted to 0.53 in (13 mm).[5] Rough surf battered the island, resulting in extensive beach erosion. The well-known Natural Arches were damaged, and part of a house collapsed into the sea.[6] During the storm, a dolphin pool was destroyed, injuring the animals; they later escaped captivity into the Atlantic Ocean.[7] Severe damage was reported along the southern shore of the island. Approximately 11,000 residents suffered temporary power outages.[8] Several roads were flooded, and the intense winds downed trees. However, the storm's worst effects remained offshore.[9]
Gert is attributed to generating a rogue wave that swept two people out to sea at Acadia National Park, along the coast of Maine, on September 20;[5][10] the crew of a lobster boat later found their bodies. Although the storm never approached the United States, seas in the area generally ran 3 to 5 ft (0.91 to 1.5 m).[11]
[edit] See also
[edit] Sources
- ^ a b Gert 1999 report
- ^ Tropical Discussion on Gert
- ^ a b Gerts impact on Newfoundland
- ^ NHC Report on Gert
- ^ a b c Miles B. Lawrence (July 22, 2000). "Hurricane Gert Preliminary Report". National Hurricane Center. http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/1999gert.html. Retrieved on 2009-06-21.
- ^ a b Staff Writer (September 22, 1999). "World: Americas: Hurricane Gert wreaks havoc in Bermuda". BBC News. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/454284.stm. Retrieved on 2009-06-21.
- ^ Staff Writer (September 23, 1999). "Hurricane lashes, frees captive dolphins". USA Today. http://www.usatoday.com/weather/huricane/1999/atlantic/wgdolphn.htm. Retrieved on 2009-06-21.
- ^ Staff Writer (September 22, 1999). "Hurricane Gert batters Bermuda". USA Today. http://www.usatoday.com/weather/huricane/1999/atlantic/wgbrmuda.htm. Retrieved on 2009-06-21.
- ^ Enid Henry (October 10, 1999). "What's Doing in; Bermuda". The New York Times. http://www.nytimes.com/1999/10/10/travel/what-s-doing-in-bermuda.html. Retrieved on 2009-06-21.
- ^ Miles B. Lawrence, et al (2001). "Atlantic Hurricane Season of 1999". National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. http://ams.allenpress.com/perlserv/?request=get-document&doi=10.1175%2F1520-0493(2001)129%3C3057%3AAHSO%3E2.0.CO%3B2. Retrieved on 2009-06-21.
- ^ Staff Writer (September 20, 1999). "Two die when swept into ocean by high waves". Associated Press.
