Hurricane Gilbert remains one of the deadliest, costliest, and most intense hurricanes on record. It wreaked havoc in the Caribbean and the Gulf of Mexico for nearly 9 days during the 1988 Atlantic hurricane season.
Gilbert was born September 8, 1988 as the 12th tropical depression of the season near the Windward Islands. While feeding off the warm waters (27°C) of the Caribbean, Gilbert quickly strengthened to tropical storm status on September 9 and became the seventh named storm of the season. It strengthened even more and became a major hurricane on September 10, which is also the climatological peak of the Atlantic hurricane season. Its west-northwesterly movement brought Gilbert to first make landfall in Jamaica. The eyewall crossed completely over Jamaica on September 12 with 240 km/h winds, putting it at category four on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale. It was the first hurricane to make direct landfall in Jamaica since 1951.
Here are 25 Key facts about Hurricane Gilbert:
1. Hurricane Gilbert occurred in 1988.
2. It is considered one of the most powerful Atlantic hurricanes on record.
3. Gilbert reached Category 5 status on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale.
4. The storm formed on September 8, 1988, near the eastern Caribbean.
5. It rapidly intensified, reaching Category 5 within 72 hours.
6. Gilbert’s maximum sustained winds peaked at 185 mph (298 km/h).
7. The hurricane made landfall in Jamaica on September 12, causing significant damage.
8. It then crossed the Yucatan Peninsula, hitting Cozumel and Cancun, Mexico.
9. Gilbert’s intense winds and storm surge caused widespread devastation in Mexico.
10. After crossing the Yucatan, the hurricane re-entered the Gulf of Mexico.
11. It made a second landfall near La Pesca, Mexico, on September 16.
12. Gilbert’s impact extended to Texas, causing flooding and evacuations.
13. The hurricane had a large size, with tropical storm-force winds extending over 500 miles (800 km) from the center.
14. The total death toll from Gilbert was over 300 people.
15. Significant rainfall accompanied the storm, contributing to flooding in several regions.
16. Gilbert’s rapid intensification led to advancements in hurricane forecasting and monitoring.
17. The hurricane caused extensive damage to infrastructure, agriculture, and homes.
18. The total economic losses from Gilbert were in the billions of dollars.
19. Many residents in affected areas were left without power for an extended period.
20. The devastation prompted international aid efforts to assist affected countries.
21. Gilbert’s impacts were felt across multiple countries in the Caribbean and Central America.
22. The storm surge in some areas exceeded 20 feet (6 meters).
23. Gilbert’s name was retired from the list of Atlantic hurricane names.
24. The aftermath of Gilbert led to improved disaster preparedness in the affected regions.
25. The 1988 hurricane season, marked by Gilbert, was one of the most active and destructive in Atlantic history.
