the overall property damage was estimated at $2.98 billion (1988 usd). earlier estimates put property damage from gilbert at $2.5 billion but were as high as $10 billion. a final count of hurricane gilbert's victims is not possible because many people remained missing in mexico, but the total confirmed death toll was 433 people. gilbert was the worst hurricane in the history of jamaica and the most destructive tropical cyclone on record to strike mexico. due to its widespread impact, extensive damage, and extreme loss of life, the name "gilbert" was retired in the spring of 1989 by the world meteorological organization and was the first name to be retired since hurricane gloria in 1985. the name will never again be used for another atlantic hurricane. the name was replaced by "gordon" during the 1994 atlantic hurricane season.