Hurricane Gert
| Category 2 hurricane (SSHWS/NWS) | |
 Hurricane Gert approaching the Mexican coastline | |
| Formed | September 14, 1993 |
|---|---|
| Dissipated | September 21, 1993 |
| Highest winds | 1-minute sustained: 100 mph (165 km/h) |
| Lowest pressure | 970 mbar (hPa); 28.64 inHg |
| Fatalities | 76 direct |
| Damage | $166 million (1993 USD) |
| Areas affected | Nicaragua, Honduras, El Salvador, Costa Rica, Mexico |
| Part of the 1993 Atlantic hurricane season 1993 Pacific hurricane season | |
Hurricane Gert was a Category 2 hurricane that crossed Central America and Mexico in 1993, maintaining its structure and restrengthening every time it reached a body of water. Gert caused moderate damage and deaths as it moved through mountainous terrain. The system was re-designated Tropical Depression Fourteen-E when it reached the waters of the eastern Pacific Ocean.
Meteorological history
Tropical storm (39–73 mph, 63–118 km/h)
Category 1 (74–95 mph, 119–153 km/h)
Category 2 (96–110 mph, 154–177 km/h)
Category 3 (111–129 mph, 178–208 km/h)
Category 4 (130–156 mph, 209–251 km/h)
Category 5 (≥157 mph, ≥252 km/h)
Unknown
Extratropical cyclone, remnant low, tropical disturbance, or monsoon depressionOn September 5, a tropical wave exited the coast of Africa and moved rapidly westward. It was initially unable to develop due to its rapid momentum, but as it slowed down, a weak surface low was able to form as the wave crossed the Leeward Islands. It moved across northern South America with generally favorable conditions; warm water temperatures and favorable upper level winds. When the only inhibiting factor, land, was removed, the wave quickly developed curved bands and deep convection over the southwestern Caribbean Sea. Based on its organization, the wave was upgraded to Tropical Depression Eight on September 14.
As the depression's large circulation moved west-northwestward, it was able to intensify, reaching tropical storm strength on September 15. It made landfall just hours later near Bluefields, Nicaragua, and weakened back to a tropical depression. Because of some contact with both Atlantic and Pacific waters, Gert maintained its circulation, and when it reached the extreme western Caribbean Sea on September 17, it quickly re-strengthened to a tropical storm. Gert again made landfall, this time near Belize City, Belize, on September 18.
A mid-tropospheric ridge forced Gert slowly westward, where after crossing the Yucatán Peninsula it reached the Gulf of Mexico on September 18. Finally over open waters for the first time of its life, Gert quickly re-intensified to a tropical storm on September 19. Intensification continued, and the storm was upgraded to Hurricane Gert on September 20. Continuing to strengthen up until landfall, Gert made landfall in Mexico near Tuxpan, Veracruz, on September 20 as a 100 mph (160 km/h) hurricane. It moved quickly westward over the mountainous Mexican terrain. When the large circulation of Gert entered the eastern North Pacific late on September 21, the tropical cyclone became Tropical Depression Fourteen-E and quickly re-organized. Conditions initially appeared favorable and satellite data suggest that it could have been a minimal tropical storm for a short period, but cooler waters caused it to dissipate on September 26.[1]
Impact
| Country | Deaths |
|---|---|
| Honduras | 21 |
| Nicaragua | 8 |
| El Salvador | 4 |
| Costa Rica | 10 |
| Mexico | 42 |
| Total | 86 |
Gert was a large and persistent tropical cyclone, dropping heavy rains throughout its path. It always remained close enough to the coast to quickly re-strengthen and redevelop convection. A total of 76 people were killed from Central America through Mexico, mainly from flooding and mudslides.
Central America
As a forming tropical storm, Gert brought torrential rainfall to Central America, leaving 100,000 people homeless from its heavy flooding. Mudslides were reported in mountainous areas, causing considerable damage, especially to roads. Excluding Honduras, 13 people died across the region.[2]
Though Gert crossed Belize, there were no reports of damage or deaths. Nearby Chetumal in the Mexican state of Quintana Roo experienced heavy rainfall amounting to 7.4 inches (188 mm).[2]
Honduras
A maximum of 6.77 inches (172 mm) of rain was recorded in Tegucigalpa, and many other parts of the country received similar amounts. Continuous flooding since Tropical Storm Bret one month prior led to extensive banana and citrus crop damage across low-lying fields. Gert's rainfall demolished numerous roads and bridges, as well as many buildings. Damage totaled at $10 million (1993 USD). The evacuation of tens of thousands of people, combined with well-executed warnings, allowed for a low death toll of 21 people, compared to other similar hurricanes.[3]
Mexico
Like in Central America, Tropical Storm Gert caused heavy rains and flooding in Mexico. The Pánuco River in Veracruz reached its highest level in 40 years, forcing 12,000 from their homes in Veracruz and Tamaulipas.[4] The highest amount recorded in Veracruz was 13.35 inches (339 mm) of rain in Tempoal. 5.8 inches (147 mm) of rain occurred in Tuxpan, while Tampico to the north in neighboring Tamaulipas fared much worse.[2] Half of the city was inundated from mudslides, damaging the road network in the city, and over 200,000 were evacuated. Massive crop damage, mainly to coffee, corn, bean, soy, and other vegetables, occurred outside the city, damage throughout the area was increased as flooding persisted in the following weeks.[5]
Further inland, extensive rainfall amounts were recorded in the mountainous regions of San Luis Potosí, with a maximum of 16.8 inches (427 mm) in Tanzablanca in one day. Other heavily flooded areas include Gallinas and Tierra Blanca, both reporting almost 13 inches (330 mm) of rain in one day. Throughout Mexico, 29,075 houses were damaged or destroyed, and 145,000 acres (590 km2) of crops were destroyed from heavy flooding. In all, Gert caused $156 million in damage (1993 USD) and 42 casualties.[2]
See also
References
- ^ NHC report on Tropical Depression Fourteen-E
- ^ a b c d NHC Gert Report Page 3
- ^ UN Department of Humanitarian Affairs (September 2, 1993). "Honduras Floods Sep 1993 UN DHA Situation Reports 1 - 4". ReliefWeb. Archived from the original on September 27, 2007. Retrieved October 3, 2011.
- ^ "1993 Global Register of Extreme Flood Events". Dartmouth College. July 2003. Retrieved October 3, 2011.
- ^ UN Department of Humanitarian Affairs (October 1, 1993). "Mexico Tropical Storm Oct 1993 UN DHA Situation Reports 1 - 3". ReliefWeb. Retrieved October 3, 2011.
External links
- NHC reports on Hurricane Gert and Tropical Depression Fourteen-E
- HPC rainfall report on Gert/T.D. #14E
- 1993 Monthly Weather Review
- Honduras Effects
- Mexico Effects
- Veracruz Effects
Tropical cyclones of the 1993 Atlantic hurricane season | ||
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