as gilbert lashed kingston, its winds knocked down power lines, uprooted trees, and flattened fences. on the north coast, waves hit , a popular tourist resort where hotels were evacuated. kingston's airport reported severe damage to its aircraft, and all jamaica-bound flights were cancelled at miami international airport. unofficial estimates state that at least 30 people were killed around the island. estimated property damage reached more than $200 million. more than 100,000 houses were destroyed or damaged and the country's banana crop was largely destroyed. hundreds of miles of roads and highways were also heavily damaged. reconnaissance flights over remote parts of jamaica reported that eighty percent of the homes on the island had lost their roofs. the poultry industry was also wiped out; the damage from agricultural loss reached $500 million (1988 usd). hurricane gilbert was the most destructive storm in the history of jamaica and the most severe storm since hurricane charlie in 1951.