The most impressive hurricane in the Atlantic Basin
From NOAA:
Remembering the Most Intense 1988 Atlantic Hurricane: Gilbert
Gilbert emerged off the western coastline of Jamaica and began a period of extraordinarily rapid intensification. Early on September 13, 1988, the ferocious hurricane strengthened to Category 4 status as the northern wall of Gilbert's eye pounded the Grand Cayman Island with wind gusts of 155 mph. The storm's intensification continued as the cyclone reached Category 5 status on the afternoon of the September 13 eventually peaking with winds of 185 mph. (http://go.usa.gov/VpXY)
Image: NOAA-9 satellite false color composite image at 5:18 p.m. EDT, on September 13, 1988. Image courtesy of the NOAA Library and the NOAA Nation Climatic Data Center.