text: tropical depression one ( 1988 ) tropical depression one was the wettest tropical cyclone in cuba since hurricane flora of 1963 . the first tropical cyclone of the 1988 atlantic hurricane season , the system developed on may 30 from an area of disturbed weather in the northwestern caribbean sea . the tropical depression headed northeastward , making landfall in la habana province , cuba without intensifying . crossing cuba , the depression became very disorganized as it emerged into the straits of florida and degenerated into an open trough on june 2 . although only a tropical depression , the system flooded central and western cuba with over 40 inches ( 1000 mm ) of rain , causing 37 fatalities , damage to over 1 , 000 houses , and the evacuation of about 65 , 000 residents . meteorological history on may 31 , tropical depression one developed in the western caribbean sea , a day before the start of the atlantic hurricane season . the depression moved northeastward , passing just northwest of isla de la juventud before striking the cuban mainland south of havana . as it crossed the country , its strongest rainfall was east of the center , and the depression failed to intensify beyond winds of 30 mph ( 45 km / h ) . the national hurricane center never expected it to strengthen further , due to unfavorable wind shear . after a hurricane hunters flight could not detect a circulation , the depression degenerated into an open trough east of florida on june 2 . impact and aftermath while crossing cuba , the depression dropped heavy rainfall , affecting the provinces of cienfuegos , villa clara , sancti spíritus , camagüey , and ciego de ávila . the precipitation peaked at 40 . 35 in ( 1 , 025 mm ) in cienfuegos province , of which 34 . 13 in ( 867 mm ) fell in one day . at the time , it was the second highest rainfall total in the country , only behind hurricane flora in 1963 , although hurricane dennis in 2005 later surpassed the depression . rainfall reached 22 . 76 in ( 578 mm ) in cienfuegos and 21 . 90 in ( 556 mm ) in sancti spíritus . the heavy rainfall caused flooding in camagüey that damaged about 5 , 700 houses and destroyed 200 . the flooding also damaged 15 schools and hospitals , as well as several crop buildings . the floods left widespread areas without electricity or communications . six bridges were destroyed in central and western cuba , which , in addition to damaged roads and rail lines , severely disrupted the country 's transportation infrastructure . a total of 131 roads were unpassable due to the flooding , and 55 rail lines were damaged . the flood waters prompted officials to evacuate 65 , 000 residents in low lying areas , including using helicopters and amphibious vehicles . a tornado was reported in the city of camagüey , destroying five soviet planes and several buildings . by the day after the depression dissipated , the cuban government reported nine deaths , although the death toll was later finalized at 37 . the depression also killed thousands of livestock . following the severe flooding , the red cross sent aid to the victims of tropical depression one in cuba . the red cross had sent medical units , tents , blankets , and other necessary item to the victims by plane . overall about 90 , 000 people were affected . with most of the rainfall occurring east of the center , the depression did not produce significant precipitation in florida . precipitation of around 1 in ( 25 mm ) spread across the miami area , peaking at 3 . 18 in ( 81 mm ) in pompano beach .