Hurricane Gustav facts for kids
| Category 4 major hurricane (SSHWS/NWS) | |
Gustav nearing its maximum strength while approaching southern Cuba
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| Formed | August 25, 2008 |
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| Dissipated | September 4, 2008 |
| Highest winds | 1-minute sustained: 150 mph (240 km/h) |
| Lowest pressure | 941 mbar (hPa); 27.79 inHg |
| Fatalities | 112 direct, 41 indirect |
| Damage | $6.61 billion (2008 USD) |
| Areas affected | Dominican Republic, Haiti, Jamaica, Cayman Islands, Cuba, Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Arkansas |
| Part of the 2008 Atlantic hurricane season | |
Hurricane Gustav was a very powerful storm that happened in 2008. It was one of the biggest hurricanes during the 2008 Atlantic hurricane season. Gustav started on August 25 and lasted until September 4.
This hurricane hit three different countries: Haiti, Cuba, and the United States. It caused a lot of damage, about $6.61 billion worth. Sadly, 112 people died directly because of the storm, and another 41 died indirectly.
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Hurricane Gustav: A Powerful Storm
Hurricane Gustav was a major hurricane, meaning it was very strong. It was one of five major hurricanes that year. When a hurricane is very strong, it can cause a lot of destruction.
Gustav began as a tropical storm and quickly grew stronger. It moved across the Caribbean Sea, gaining power as it went.
Gustav's Path and Landfalls
Gustav first made landfall in Haiti on August 26. This means the center of the storm crossed over land there. After Haiti, it moved towards Jamaica and the Cayman Islands, causing heavy rain and strong winds.
The storm then headed for Cuba, where it became a very dangerous Category 4 hurricane. It hit western Cuba with winds of 150 miles per hour. This caused a lot of damage to buildings and trees.
Finally, Gustav moved into the Gulf of Mexico and headed for the United States. It made its final landfall in Louisiana on September 1 as a Category 2 hurricane. Even though it was weaker, it still brought strong winds and flooding to states like Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama.
Why Hurricane Names Are Retired
Sometimes, a hurricane name is "retired." This means the name will never be used again for another storm. This happens when a hurricane causes a lot of damage or deaths. It's a way to remember the serious impact of the storm.
In the spring of 2009, the name Gustav was retired because of the widespread damage and loss of life it caused. The name Gonzalo was chosen to replace Gustav in 2014.
Images for kids
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Hurricane Gustav making landfall in Haiti on August 26
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Hurricane Gustav, just after making landfall in Jamaica, August 29
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Infrared Satellite loops of Hurricane Gustav crossing western Cuba as a major category 4 storm.
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Buildings being boarded up in Uptown New Orleans, August 28
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Maj. Gen. Bennett C. Landreneau speaks about the Louisiana Army National Guard's preparation for Gustav on August 28.
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Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Administrator David Paulison with officials preparing for Gustav on August 30.
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A truck buried under rubble in Haiti
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Waters churned up by Hurricane Gustav off the coast of Northern Cuba
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Total rainfall from Gustav in the United States
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Tipped and flooded home in Terrebonne Parish, Louisiana.
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Hurricane Gustav in the southeastern Gulf of Mexico as a Category 3 storm
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Flooding in front of a sign in New Iberia, Louisiana.
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Waves crash against a stop sign in Bay St. Louis, Mississippi, as Hurricane Gustav hits the Gulf Coast.
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Wind damage to the landmark Eola Hotel in Natchez, Mississippi.
See also
In Spanish: Huracán Gustav para niños
