Before the hurricane struck, residents in Mexico expected that Hurricane Hilda would be weaker and strike near Tampico. When the storm was announced via radio about three hours before landfall, most people were already asleep and unable to prepare. Tides rose in advance of the storm, and before it made landfall, 10% of Tampico was still flooded from previous Hurricane Gladys. In Tampico, Hilda's strong winds blew away an anemometer after the instrument recorded winds of ; peak winds were later estimated at around . At the city's port, Hilda damaged boats and ferries, some of which washed out to sea. The hurricane destroyed the roofs of about half of the city's houses, as well as several schools and large buildings. Hilda produced severe flooding in Tampico that was reported to have covered 90% of the city's streets. Although smaller than the previous Hurricane Gladys, Hilda dropped heavy rainfall that flooded local rivers. Overall, 11,432 people were directly affected by Hilda. The hurricane caused 300 deaths and $120 million in damage, mostly due to the flooding.