Hurricane Gert (1993) facts for kids

Hurricane Gert was a very strong and dangerous tropical storm that hit Central America and Mexico in September 1993. It caused a lot of damage and sadly, many lives were lost.

Gert was a powerful tropical cyclone with winds reaching 105 miles per hour. It hit many of the same places that another big storm, Hurricane Diana, had hit just three years earlier. Gert's winds were even stronger than Diana's. Sadly, 90 people died because of Hurricane Gert, and 43 others went missing. Even with all the damage it caused, the name "Gert" was not "retired" like some other very destructive storm names. This means the name could be used again for future storms.

What is a Hurricane?

A hurricane is a giant, spinning storm that forms over warm ocean waters. It has very strong winds and brings heavy rain. Hurricanes are also called tropical cyclones. They get their energy from the warm water and can cause a lot of destruction when they reach land.

Gert's Path and Impact

Hurricane Gert started as a tropical depression, which is a weaker type of storm. It grew stronger as it moved across the ocean. When it reached land, especially in countries like Nicaragua, Honduras, El Salvador, Belize, Costa Rica, and Mexico, it caused widespread damage.

Damage Caused by Gert

The strong winds and heavy rains from Hurricane Gert led to many problems.

• Homes and buildings were damaged or destroyed.
• Roads and bridges were washed out, making it hard for people to travel.
• Farmlands were flooded, ruining crops.
• Electricity and clean water supplies were cut off in many areas.
• Natural areas, like the Manuel Antonio National Park in Costa Rica, suffered great destruction. Trees were knocked down, and the landscape was changed.

The heavy rainfall was a major problem, especially in the Huasteca region of Mexico. This rain caused severe flooding and mudslides, which are when a lot of mud and rocks slide down hills. These mudslides were very dangerous and contributed to the loss of life and property.

Why Storm Names Matter

Storms like hurricanes are given names to help people and weather forecasters keep track of them. It makes it easier to talk about a specific storm and warn people about its danger. Usually, if a storm causes a lot of damage or deaths, its name is "retired." This means the name won't be used again for another storm. This is done out of respect for the victims and to avoid confusion. However, for Hurricane Gert, its name was not retired, which is unusual given the devastation it caused.

Images for kids

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  Satellite image of Tropical Depression Fourteen-E

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  The Manuel Antonio National Park, located in the Central Pacific Conservation Area, suffered great destruction from the storm.

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  Surface weather analysis map of Gert as a tropical depression, with the center L located inland near the Honduras–Nicaragua border

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  Rainfall from Gert across Mexico, showing high concentrations in the Huasteca region

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  A satellite animation of Gert traversing the Bay of Campeche and Mexico