/guid/9202a8c04000641f800000000093dc31 rename

Hurricane Gert was a Category 2 hurricane that crossed Central America and Mexico, maintaining its...

Hurricane Gert was a Category 2 hurricane that crossed Central America and Mexico, 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 redesignated Tropical Depression Fourteen-E when it reached the waters of the eastern Pacific Ocean. On 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