Hurricane Gilbert facts for kids
| Category 5 major hurricane (SSHWS/NWS) | |
Forecast map
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| Formed | September 8, 1988 |
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| Dissipated | September 19, 1988 |
| Highest winds | 1-minute sustained: 185 mph (295 km/h) |
| Lowest pressure | 888 mbar (hPa); 26.22 inHg |
| Fatalities | 341 direct |
| Damage | $5.5 billion (1988 USD) |
| Areas affected | Windward Islands, Venezuela, Haiti, Dominican Republic, Jamaica, Central America, Yucatán Peninsula, northern Mexico, Texas, South Central United States |
| Part of the 1988 Atlantic hurricane season | |
Hurricane Gilbert was a very powerful tropical cyclone which caused much damage to the Caribbean, Mexico and parts of South Texas in the 1988 Atlantic hurricane season. Before Hurricane Wilma in 2005, Hurricane Gilbert was the strongest hurricane ever recorded in the Atlantic in terms of Barometric pressure.
This hurricane was similar to Hurricane Beulah and Hurricane Allen, but Hurricane Gilbert was unique in many ways. Gilbert killed 341 people and left $5.5 billion in damage.
Similar storms to Hurricane Gilbert
In addition to Beulah and Allen, Hurricanes Charlie (1951), Emily during 2005 and Dean in 2007 had tracks similar to Hurricane Gilbert. Emily and Dean were Category 5 hurricanes.
Retirement
Because Gilbert left a powerful impact, the name Gilbert was retired. The name "Gordon" was used in 1994, 2000, and 2006.
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Tropical cyclones of the 1988 Atlantic hurricane season |
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Images for kids
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Gilbert approaching Jamaica on September 12
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Buildings destroyed after Hurricane Gilbert
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Rainfall in the United States and Mexico from Gilbert
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Damage at Kelly Air Force Base, Texas
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Aftermath in San Antonio
See also
In Spanish: Huracán Gilbert para niños
