Hurricane Gilberto: 38 years since the Category 5 storm hit Quintana Roo

September 14 marks the 38th anniversary of Hurricane Gilberto, one of the most intense and destructive meteorological phenomena to strike the Yucatán Peninsula. The Category 5 cyclone made landfall in Cozumel, Quintana Roo, around 8:00 AM on September 14, 1988, before moving across the mainland of Quintana Roo toward Yucatán.

The hurricane caused widespread devastation, including the destruction of homes, infrastructure, and vegetation. High winds downed trees and utility poles, while storm surges and heavy waves impacted coastal communities and the tourism sector. Many areas were left without basic services or communications following the storm.

Hurricane Gilberto resulted in 225 fatalities and caused approximately $76 million in economic losses.