The 1988 Atlantic hurricane season was a moderately active season that proved costly and deadly, with 15 tropical cyclones directly affecting land. The first cyclone to attain tropical storm status was Alberto on August 8; the final storm of the year, Tropical Storm Keith, became extratropical on November 24. The season produced 19 tropical depressions, including 12 tropical storms. There were five hurricanes, including three major hurricanes (Category 3 or higher on the Saffir–Simpson scale). Hurricane Gilbert (pictured) was at the time the strongest Atlantic hurricane on record. It tracked through the Caribbean Sea and the Gulf of Mexico and caused devastation in Mexico and many island nations, particularly Jamaica. Its passage caused damage valued at US$2.98 billion and more than 300 deaths, mostly in Mexico. Hurricane Joan, striking Nicaragua as a Category 4 hurricane, caused damage valued at about $1.87 billion and more than 200 deaths.

Read more: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1988_Atlantic_hurricane_season

_______________________________ Today's selected anniversaries:

1431:

Hundred Years' War: Joan of Arc was burned at the stake in Rouen, France, after being convicted of heresy. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joan_of_Arc

1536:

Jane Seymour, a former lady-in-waiting, became Queen of England by marrying King Henry VIII. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jane_Seymour

1815:

The East Indiaman ship Arniston was wrecked during a storm at Waenhuiskrans, near Cape Agulhas, present-day South Africa, with the loss of 372 lives. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arniston_(East_Indiaman)

1948:

A dike holding the Columbia River broke, causing a flood that destroyed Vanport, Oregon, U.S., only five years after the city was built. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vanport,_Oregon

1998:

A 6.5 Mw earthquake struck northern Afghanistan, killing at least 4,000 people, destroying more than 30 villages, and leaving 45,000 people homeless in the Afghan provinces of Takhar and Badakhshan. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/May_1998_Afghanistan_earthquake

_____________________________ Wiktionary's word of the day:

geofence:

https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/geofence

___________________________ Wikiquote quote of the day:

The freedom of all is essential to my freedom.   --Mikhail Bakunin https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Mikhail_Bakunin