What was the strongest hurricane ever recorded in the western hemisphere?

Hurricane Gilbert, which formed in September 1988, holds the record for the strongest hurricane ever recorded in the western hemisphere. It reached a maximum sustained wind speed of 178 mph, making it an extremely powerful storm. Gilbert also had a central pressure reading of 888 millibars, which at the time was the lowest ever recorded for a hurricane in the Atlantic Basin. The impact of Gilbert was profound, as it caused significant damage across Jamaica and Mexico, highlighting the destructive capabilities of hurricanes with such intensity. This information solidifies Gilbert's place in meteorological history, distinguishing it from other hurricanes listed in the options, which, while also significant, did not reach the same level of strength as Hurricane Gilbert.