Hurricane Gert (1999) facts for kids
Hurricane Gert was a very powerful storm that happened in 1999. It was one of the strongest hurricanes that year. It started near Africa and grew super strong as it moved across the Atlantic Ocean.
Contents
Understanding Hurricane Gert
Gert's Journey Begins
Hurricane Gert began on September 11, 1999. It started as a small storm off the coast of Africa. As it traveled over the warm ocean waters, it gathered more energy. This made it grow bigger and stronger very quickly.
Reaching Peak Power
By September 15, Hurricane Gert became incredibly powerful. Its winds reached speeds of 150 miles per hour (240 km/h). This made it a "major hurricane." A major hurricane is a storm with winds of 111 mph or higher. It's like a giant spinning top of wind and rain!
Gert's Path and Effects
After reaching its peak strength, Hurricane Gert started to curve. It moved towards the northwest, then turned north. It passed very close to a place called Bermuda. Bermuda is a group of islands in the Atlantic Ocean.
What Happened in Bermuda?
Even though the center of Hurricane Gert did not hit land directly, it still caused problems. In Bermuda, the strong winds and heavy rain led to many power outages. This meant that homes and businesses lost electricity.
Gert's End and Impact on Canada
On September 23, Gert changed into an extratropical storm. This means it became a different type of weather system. It then turned northeast and joined with another storm.
As it passed southeast of Atlantic Canada, Gert still caused big waves. These strong waves hit Newfoundland, an island in Canada. The waves caused a lot of damage to boats and things along the coast.
