hurricane gilbert produced a storm surge and brought up to of rain in the mountainous areas of jamaica, causing inland flash flooding. 49 people died. prime minister edward seaga stated that the hardest hit areas near where gilbert made landfall looked "like hiroshima after the atom bomb." the storm left $700 million (1988 usd) in damage from destroyed crops, buildings, houses, roads, and small aircraft. two people eventually had to be rescued because of mudslides triggered by gilbert and were sent to the hospital. the two people were reported to be fine. no planes were going in and out of kingston, and telephone lines were jammed from jamaica to florida.