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 an extremely strong tropical cyclone (a huge, spinning storm) that caused a lot of damage. It hit the Caribbean, Mexico, and parts of South Texas in 1988. This powerful storm was part of the 1988 Atlantic hurricane season.
Before Hurricane Wilma in 2005, Hurricane Gilbert was the strongest hurricane ever recorded in the Atlantic. This was measured by its very low barometric pressure, which means the air pressure at its center was incredibly low.
Hurricane Gilbert was similar to other big storms like Hurricane Beulah and Hurricane Allen. However, Gilbert was special in many ways. It sadly caused the deaths of 341 people. The storm also left behind about $5.5 billion in damage.
Powerful Storms Like Hurricane Gilbert
Hurricane Gilbert was a very powerful storm. Other hurricanes have had similar paths across the Atlantic. These include Hurricane Charlie in 1951, Hurricane Emily in 2005, and Hurricane Dean in 2007.
Both Hurricane Emily and Hurricane Dean were also very strong. They reached Category 5 status, which is the highest level for a hurricane. This means they had extremely high winds and caused a lot of destruction.
Why Hurricane Gilbert's Name Was Retired
When a hurricane causes a lot of damage or deaths, its name is often "retired." This means the name will not be used again for another storm. The name "Gilbert" was retired because of the huge impact it had.
After Gilbert, the name "Gordon" was used instead for hurricanes in 1994, 2000, and 2006. Retiring a name helps people remember how serious a storm was and prevents confusion with future hurricanes.
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
