 While passing through the Lesser Antilles , the precursor tropical wave caused locally heavy rainfall and wind gusts between 29 and 35 mph ( 47 and 56 km / h ) . Shortly before developing into a tropical cyclone , flooding in mountainous areas of Guatemala caused 23 fatalities . In its early stages , Gordon produced locally heavy rainfall in Cuba and the Yucatan Peninsula . The storm produced abnormally high tides along the west coast of Florida , which caused widespread , but minor coastal flooding . At least 65 homes and businesses were flooded , while numerous coastal roads , including Bayshore Boulevard and the Courtney Campbell Causeway , were closed due to water inundation . One fatality occurred near Pensacola , after a surfer drowned in rough seas . Strong winds in the state caused damage to houses , businesses , power lines , and trees . Two tornadoes in Southwest Florida extensively damaged 2 condominiums and at least 24 houses . A third tornado along the east coast of Central Florida caused minimal damage to trees and roofs . Minor flooding occurred in some areas due to rainfall reaching 9 @.@ 48 inches ( 241 mm ) in Mayo . In North Carolina , flooding caused two indirect fatalities when a car lost control and crashed into a tractor trailer . In other states , light rainfall caused mostly minor effects . Overall , Gordon was responsible for $ 10 @.@ 8 million in damage . 
