1955 was a very active hurricane season mainly due to an active La Nina pattern. Also 1955 was part of the first active phase in the Atlantic Basin which was from 1925-1969. There was a total of 5 destructive hurricanes. Hurricane Hilda was the 3rd destructive hurricane from 1955.

On September the 6th a tropical wave emerged off the coast of Africa. However, due to up welling from the previous hurricanes the wave did not develop for a few days. On September the 9th the wave was now just to the north of the Antilles and started to develop convection and a center started to emerge. What would become the National Hurricane Center issued a bulletin that the wave was becoming better organized.

On September the 10th it was declared a tropical depression and was getting organized quickly. Later that evening it was declared tropical storm Hilda with 50 mph winds. Early on September the 12th Hilda became a Hurricane just to the north of the Dominican Republic and continued to strengthen. A ridge to the North begin to pull Hilda southwestward. Hilda made landfall in Cuba as a 90 mph high end category 1 hurricane.

Hilda emerged in the Caribbean as a tropical storm having weakened due to going over the mountains of Cuba. However it was advised that Hilda would become a hurricane again due to the very warm water. On September the 14th Hilda became a hurricane again and begin to rapidly organize. On September the 15th Hilda became a major category 3 hurricane with winds up to 115 mph. Later that evening Hilda made landfall near peak intensity in Cozumel Mexico.

On September the 17th Hilda emerged in the Gulf as a strong tropical storm but started to show signs of restrengthening when moving over water. Later that day Hilda had winds up to 100 making it a category 2 hurricane. On the 18th Hilda reached its peak with 120 mph winds and a pressure of 952 millibars. Later on the 18th Hilda made a final landfall in Mexico.

Hilda was a very destructive hurricane. In Cuba Hilda killed 20 people and caused $ 20 million in damages. Most of Hilda's damage was done in Mexico were the storm made landfall twice. In Mexico Hilda caused $100 million in damages and 284 deaths. Overall, Hilda caused 304 deaths and $120 million in damages.

Despite the damage Hilda was not retired from the 1955 season. One reason is it was likely overshadowed by Hurricane Janet which made landfall in Mexico twice as a category 5 and category 2 hurricane. Janet also killed over 1,000 people in Mexico. However, Hilda would later be retired but that was due to 1964's Hurricane Hilda.

Hurricane Hilda was the second deadliest hurricane of the 1955 season. It was also the first of 2 major hurricanes to make landfall in Mexico. Hilda though was a sign of what was to come for Mexico a few weeks later. Hilda may have played a role in the Cuba revolution. Cuba President Bautista was criticized for how his govt handled the hurricane. Some historians have argued this hurricane may have gave momentum to Fidel Castro, but that is highly debated.

Regardless, Hilda was a historic hurricane and was the 3rd destructive hurricane from the 1955 season. In terms of deaths it was only overshadowed by another Hurricane that would come a few weeks later.