Response Updates

All About Hurricane Gert

Reported by Convoy of Hope

In 1981, Hurricane Gert made its debut on the World Meteorological Organization’s annual list of named tropical storms. There are six rotating lists, but because 1987 was a below-average hurricane season, Gert was a no-show after Hurricane Floyd proved to be the last named storm of the year.

Gert would reach hurricane status in 1993 and 1999, tropical storm status in 2005 and 2011, and again be a named hurricane in 2017.

Tropical Storm Gert — the seventh potential tropical storm of the season — was announced by the National Hurricane Center on August 21, but was already unraveling in its westerly course across the Atlantic. But it coincided with Tropical Storms Emily and Franklin, which continued to demonstrate growth.

Tropical Storm Gert or Hurricane Gert — it all depends on wind speed.

All named storms are tropical cyclones, or rotating, organized systems of clouds and thunderstorms that originate over tropical or subtropical waters and have a closed low-level circulation.

As a tropical depression, Gert would have sustained wind speeds of less than 39 mph. Tropical depressions are not named but are tracked to determine if they are growing into tropical storms or hurricanes. 

Hurricane

When Gert’s sustained wind speed reached 39 mph it was classified as a tropical storm and its name released. Had that speed reached 74 mph, Gert would have been a hurricane.

Although hurricanes grab headlines, even a tropical storm can pose a threat to lives and property.

When Was Hurricane Gert?

With a hurricane name periodically making a reappearance, it’s natural to wonder if another storm with that name is famous for any reason. Perhaps you’ve asked yourself, “When did Hurricane Gert hit?” or “What year was Hurricane Gert?”

“Gert” has been the name of six tropical cyclones, reaching hurricane status four times — in 1981, 1993, 1999, and 2017.

Where Did Hurricane Gert Hit?

  • • In 1981, Gert achieved Category 2 status during the Atlantic hurricane season after making landfall as a tropical storm on several Caribbean islands. As a hurricane, it didn’t hit any populated areas. 
  • In 1993, another Category 2 Hurricane Gert made repeated landfall in Central America and Mexico. 
  • • Hurricane Gert in 1999 was the strongest hurricane with that name, growing to a Category 4 storm but running out its life cycle in the Atlantic with a close approach to Bermuda. 
  • • In 2017, hurricane swells from Gert had no impact on land.

Where Did Hurricane Gert Hit?

flooding near Yellowstone Wyoming
  • • In 1981, Gert achieved Category 2 status during the Atlantic hurricane season after making landfall as a tropical storm on several Caribbean islands. As a hurricane, it didn’t hit any populated areas. 
  • In 1993, another Category 2 Hurricane Gert made repeated landfall in Central America and Mexico. 
  • • Hurricane Gert in 1999 was the strongest hurricane with that name, growing to a Category 4 storm but running out its life cycle in the Atlantic with a close approach to Bermuda. 
  • • In 2017, hurricane swells from Gert had no impact on land.

What Category Was Hurricane Gert?

The Gert hurricanes of 1981, 1993, and 2017 achieved Category 2 status, and in 1999 Hurricane Gert qualified as a major hurricane with a Category 4 rating. Categories 3 and above are major hurricanes, with Category 5 topping out the scale.

What Time Will Hurricane Gert Make Landfall?

If you’re asking, “What time did Hurricane Gert make landfall?” during previous storms, it won’t help you prepare for Gert this year.

With any current storm predicted to reach your region, it’s important to monitor weather reports and view satellite images to stay alert to the predicted landfall. It’s a mistake to wait until the last minute to reach a safe area. This article will be updated as more details about 2023’s Gert become available.

How Many People Died in Hurricane Gert?

Reading up on historic storms, you might naturally ask, “Did anyone die in Hurricane Gert?”

In the case of Gert, there was no loss of life reported in 1981, but 12 years later at least 116 people died in the extensive flooding and mudslides resulting from the Category 2 storm of 1993.

Although the Category 4 storm of 1999 did not directly kill anyone, it created a rogue wave that swept two people out to sea from the coast of Maine. A lobster boat crew later recovered their bodies. 

Kentucky Flooding Image

Similarly, Hurricane Gert in 2017 created rip tides along the East Coast of the United States. Two men in separate locations drowned in connection with the storm.

What Was the Path of Hurricane Gert?

If you have a world map or globe, take a moment to visualize the mapped paths of Gert’s four hurricane appearances.

  • • In 1981, Gert’s path moved from West Africa across the Atlantic, grazing past the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico. Gert continued curving southeast again and dissipated in the Atlantic. 
  • • In 1993, the National Hurricane Center monitored Gert as its path drew close to Central America before crossing that region and Mexico and dissipating in the Pacific. 
  • • Gert’s 1999 path began near West Africa but crossed the Atlantic and moved northward without reaching the Caribbean or the U.S. coast. 
  • • In 2017, Gert’s beginnings north of Puerto Rico led to a journey north and then northeast that kept it moving across the Atlantic and dying out at sea.

Convoy of Hope & Hurricanes

Convoy of Hope is a nonprofit, faith-based organization with a driving passion to feed the world through children’s feeding initiatives, community outreach, and disaster response.

When a hurricane is headed toward a community, Convoy of Hope’s Disaster Services team follows weather updates closely. Well ahead of a predicted landfall, a response plan comes together at Convoy’s World Distribution Center, and a convoy of trucks with needed resources heads to the affected area.

Convoy remains prepared throughout the Atlantic hurricane season to respond if any of the potential named storms take shape.

Convoy of Hope trucks criss cross across the country delivering supplies
Colorado – In response to COVID-19, Convoy of Hope trucks have driven tens of thousands of miles across the country to deliver relief supplies
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