Hurricane Opal continued northeast and weakened a little and made its last landfall in Santa Rosa Island, Florida on October 4 while a category 3 hurricane. As Opal approached the coast, it began to weaken as it made landfall at Pensacola After pummeling … Opal was the strongest hurricane of the 1995 Atlantic hurricane season. Here is a table of some of the highest rainfall totals recorded: Hurricane Opal Rainfall Accumulation Map (Courtesy: National Climate Data Center). The tropical wave that would become Hurricane Opal emerged from the west coast of Africa on September 11. Local Data Opal moved slowly across the Yucatan Peninsula, emerging … Storms with very heavy rain developed over Central Alabama ahead of a cold front along the Mississippi River. Hurricane Opal was a major hurricane that formed in the Gulf of Mexico in September 1995. Submit Storm Report, Radar Imagery Please Contact Us. Beach Forecast Many people believe that wearing an opal if it is not your birthstone or buying an opal for … Hurricanes are named by the National Weather Service. At landfall, Opal was a Category 3 hurricane The Tropical Depression Eighteen made landfall in the Yucatán Peninsula shortly afterword. After that Hurricane Opal strengthened fast and reached it's top winds of 150 mph (making it a category 4) on October 4, only two days after becoming a hurricane. Mobile/Pensacola8400 Airport Blvd Bldg 11Mobile, AL 36608251-633-6443Comments? Late on the night of August 17, the storm hit Bay Saint Louis in Mississippi. Michael is the strongest hurricane to hit the continental US since Andrew. NWS Opal Local Write-Ups and Webpages: HURRICAN NORA HITS BEACH AT ROCKY POINT, MEXICO 9/25/97 1. NCDC Technical Report - Opal US Dept of Commerce Interesting facts about Hurricane Opal? It is one of the most powerful storms to hit the U.S. on record. … – because we’re about to check out ten facts on one of nature’s most powerful forces – hurricanes! The. Anybody living along the northern Gulf Coast in 1995 will tell you they heard some unsettling news when they woke up the morning of October 4th. On the bright side, sometimes a hurricane loses strength, and it turns into a storm on its landfall. Local Past Events the hurricane was centered about 290 miles south southwest of Pensacola, FL around Please try another search. It affected the states of Idaho, Missouri, Pennsylvania, Florida, Alabama, Tennessee, Kentucky, Ohio and New York. NW Florida Radar Gulf Shores area hurricane facts and hurricane proof house info. Here is a list of the maximum sustained winds and peak wind gusts recorded during the storm: Data from reconnaissance aircraft show that Opal’s minimum central pressure at landfall was 942mb. Maximum sustained winds were estimated to have been 115 mph at landfall across a narrow swath at the coast between Destin and Panama City and near the extreme eastern portion of Choctawhatchee Bay. Climate Plot for Mobile Satellite, Climate Here is a list of minimum pressure reports from various locations near the center of the hurricane: More Information (Technical Papers and Assessments), NOAA Coastal Services Interactive Map Hurricane Opal Hurricane Opal started its life as a tropical depression on Sept. 27, 1995, near Cozumel, Mexico. Despite Opal’s fast forward speed, its interaction with an approaching cold front resulted in significant heavy rain across much of southwest and south central Alabama as well as the western Florida Panhandle. Opal then accelerated to the By this time, Opal began to drift north as a large upper After a summer with very little rain, heavy rains brought flash flooding to Jefferson County, the day prior to Hurricane Opal`s landfall. south-southeast of Cozumel, Mexico. Hurricane Erin was the first hurricane to strike the United States since Hurricane Andrew in 1992. Tropical Depression Opal became extratropical over the Ohio River Valley on October 5th. Opal was the 9th hurricane of the highly active 1995 Atlantic hurricane season. 1.Third costliest hurricane at the time(1995). Actually, it doesn’t have to be as good as it sounds. Tropical Weather Opal also caused heavy damage in the mid-Atlantic states before dissipating. Graphical Hurricane Opal formed on September 27, 1995 as a tropical depression 70 miles Opal was responsible for 50 deaths in Mexico and Guatemala due to flooding caused by heavy rains. On September 30 Tropical Depression Eighteen strengthened into Tropical Storm Opal. Hurricane Opal formed on September 27, 1995 as a tropical depression 70 miles. Tornado Museum Opal was the strongest hurricane of the 1995 Atlantic hurricane season. Afterward, 50 people had died from flooding by Opal in Guatemala and Mexico, with another 13 deaths in the United States directly or indirectly related to Opal. Hold on tight, gang – and we mean super tight! Observations Here are some other facts that show the power of this "monstrous storm." Tropical Storm Opal emerging into the Gulf. Aviation Weather On the morning of October 2nd, Opal intensified to a hurricane while centered 150 This page was last modified on 8 April 2021, at 17:09. National Weather Service About Our Office north northeast on October 3rd and 4th and underwent a period of rapid intensification Observed Precipitation 3. The fifth tropical cyclone, fifth named storm, and second hurricane of the unusually active 1995 Atlantic hurricane season, Erin developed from a tropical wave near the southeastern Bahamas on July 31. Upon learning this, thousands of residents decided to evacuate at the last minute, which resulted in grid lock on many major highways, including Interstate 65. US ACE & FEMA Hurricane Opal Assessment Preliminary damage estimates were $3 billion. SKYWARN Get Prepared Many of these residents ended up seeking refuge in local shelters as Opal closed in on the western Florida Panhandle. Opal was the 9th hurricane of the highly active 1995 Atlantic hurricane season. depression was upgraded to Tropical Storm Opal on the morning of September 30th. Hurricane Watch A hurricane is possible within 36 hours. Bad Luck. On October 2 it turned northeast and strengthened into Hurricane Opal. There were 9 fatalities reported in the mainland United States, including 1 local fatality in Crestview, FL due to an F2 tornado. 2.It spawned a F2 tornado. The National Hurricane Center also maintains the official Tropical Cyclone Report for Hurricane Opal … Clipping found in The Facts in Clute, Texas on Oct 2, 1995. Nationwide, Forecasts Some recent hurricanes have been named Opal, Andrew, Marilyn, Hugo and Fran. StormReady Forecast Discussion Air Quality, Current Weather Opal was the strongest hurricane of the 1995 Atlantic hurricane season. Although Hurricane Opal was very strong and removed dunes higher than 5 m above sea, the island lost very little sand throughout the entire landfall event. On August 16 the storm was a category 5 hurricane, the highest classification on the Saffir-Simpson hurricane scale. The depression slowly moved west across the to gradually strengthen as it moved slowly into the Bay of Campeche. NWS This has important implications for the morphodynamics of coastal systems during storm events, and specifically for … 5.It made landfall 2. After reaching Category 5 strength at 3 different times in the Caribbean Sea and entering the Gulf of Mexico, Sorry, the location you searched for was not found. Gulf coast residents went to bed on October 3rd knowing that Opal was a Category 2 storm with maximum winds of 100 mph. Camille was a Category 5 hurricane when it made landfall in Mississippi 50 years ago this weekend. Hurricane Opal (1995) Storm Track & Details Opal, classified as a hurricane made landfall on October 4, 1995. Hurricane Opal made landfall near Pensacola Beach, Florida as a marginal Category 3 hurricane on the Saffir/Simpson Hurricane Scale, causing extensive storm surge damage to the immediate coastal areas of the Florida panhandle. Hurricane Opal was a major hurricane that formed in the Gulf of Mexico in September 1995. Hurricane Facts 1. south-southeast of Cozumel, Mexico. Questions? Fire Weather FEMA Mitigation Assessment Team Report The first option is the scariest. Hurricanes are giant tropical storms that produce heavy rainfall and super -strong winds. It weakened to slightly below hurricane strength just before making landfall in north Florida. Weather Ready Nation, Additional Info and was downgraded to a tropical storm as it moved across southern Alabama. The depression slowly moved west across the. Outlooks Oct 5, 2012 - A heavily damaged Gulf Dr in Panama City Beach, Florida after Hurricane Opal impacted the Florida panhandle as a category three storm when it came ashore near Pensacola, Florida October 5, 1995. The play of color you see in Opal is due to millions of tiny … with maximum sustained winds of 115 mph. In total, nearly 300 homes were destroyed with another 1,000 homes suffering major damage. ... Opal in 1995 and Dennis in 2005. I. Hurricane Ivan Impact Summary and Overview Hurricane Ivan was one of the most impactive and destructive hurricanes to Florida’s Panhandle coast in recorded history and the most severe since Hurricane Opal in 1995. Marine Weather Storm surge of 10-15 feet was recorded from Navarre Beach east to Destin with 6-8 feet observed in the inland bays from Pensacola to Choctawhatchee Bay. U.S. Highway 98 between Fort Walton Beach and Destin was also destroyed. while centered near the north-central coast of the Yucatan peninsula. miles west of Merida, Mexico. Yes, Hurricane Opal turned over trees, turned out the lights and turned streets into rivers.      NWS Birmingham, Current Hazards Opal formed on September 27 just off the coast of the Yucatan Peninsula. Opal was the ninth hurricane and the strongest of the abnormally active 1995 Atlantic hurricane season. NHC Preliminary Report It was the strongest hurricane of the 1995 season and killed 63 people, 13 in the United States. Below are some of the regional impacts... Research Hurricane Opal facts for kids. All NOAA. To the west of Opal’s center, storm surge ranged from 4-7 feet from Orange Beach to Dauphin Island. But the storm could have been much worse. It was the first major hurricane to strike the Florida panhandle since Eloise in 1975. a. Synoptic History Weather Radio NHC Tropical Cyclone Report - Hurricane Opal Hurricane Camille started as a tropical storm on Aug. 14, 1969, west of the Cayman Islands and rapidly gained strength as it moved toward Cuba. Climate Plot for Pensacola, Weather Safety Opal destroyed most of the homes that were facing the Gulf of Mexico from Navarre Beach to east of Destin. Awareness Weeks Opal devastated the Pensacola/Panhandle area with a 15-ft (5-m) storm surge and travelled up the entire state of Alabama, becoming a tropical storm in Tennessee. This system weakened further to a tropical depression as it moved into southeast Tennessee and became extratropical over the Ohio River Valley on October 5th. Yucatan peninsula over the next three days due to weak steering currents. Opal was the strongest hurricane of the 1995 Atlantic hurricane season. The minimum The name "Opal" was retired in the spring of 1996. KEVX Radar Image of Hurricane Opal Making Landfall. Beach, FL around 5pm on October 4th. Tremendous damage occurred to the infrastructure, with water and sewer systems damaged, roads buckled, eroded, or covered in sand, and phone and electric utilities damaged. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration PENSACOLA, Florida (CNN) -- This waterfront city on the Florida panhandle is a "scene of devastation" after Hurricane Opal crashed in from the Gulf of Mexico with 144 mph winds. By 4am the next morning, the winds had increased to 135 mph. Hurricane Opal was a major hurricane that formed in the Gulf of Mexico in September 1995. Please select one of the following: Hurricane Opal formed on September 27, 1995 as a tropical depression 70 miles, On the morning of October 2nd, Opal intensified to a hurricane while centered 150, As Opal approached the coast, it began to weaken as it made landfall at Pensacola, NOAA, Office for Coastal Management, DigitalCoast, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. From Simple English Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Hurricane Opal was a major hurricane that formed in the Gulf of Mexico in September 1995. As hurricane … Student Volunteers. - strengthening into a strong Category 4 hurricane early on October 4th. Terms to Know. More than 125 homes were destroyed with 150 homes suffering major damage across inland southwest and south central Alabama. Fast Access At a Glance. The beginning of this storm started from a tropical wave that moved off of Africa on September 11. Opal was the 9th hurricane of the highly active 1995 Atlantic hurricane season. Hurricane Opal was a Category 4 hurricane that caused severe damage along the northern Gulf Coast of the United States in September 1995. Drought Most of the western Florida coastal areas experienced sustained Category 1 or 2 winds. Nearly $25 million in tree damage occurred in the Conecuh National Forest. It disappeared into a low pressure while in the Caribbean Sea several days later. [2] Moderate winds downed trees and tree limbs onto Maryland Route 495. October 3, 1995 – The remnants of Hurricane Opal track well west of Maryland, producing light rainfall across the entire state. The wave was found again on September 27 and was good enough to become Tropical Depression Eighteen. Roxanne, Oct. 9: Formed in the Bay of Campeche following Hurricane Opal's landfall near Panama City, Florida, Roxanne was the fifth and final major hurricane of the active 1995 season. Insured property damage was estimated to have cost $2.1 billion. Hazardous Weather Outlook level trough moved across the central United States. The surge destroyed Highway 399 that runs from Pensacola Beach to Navarre. Opal continued Jump to - Storm Surge, Rainfall, Wind, or Additional Information sections. central pressure of 916 mb with maximum sustained winds of 150 mph occurred when Mobile Radar Charley passed directly over Orlando as a hurricane, forcing theme parks to close. Hurricane Opal's name was retired the following year. Yucatan peninsula over the next three days due to weak steering currents. In the U.S., the official hurricane season is from June 1 to November 30, but hurricanes can happen any time of the year. Hurricane winds can reach speeds of up to 320 km/h (200 mph) This is strong enough to rip up grown trees from the ground and destroy buildings. Storm Surge Damage in Navarre Beach  (courtesy: State of FL). In 2001, the name "Olga" was used instead, Olga was also used in 2007, and could be used in 2013. Allison, Dean, Erin, Gabrielle, Jerry, Opal , and Roxanne all made landfall in the . Opal formed on Sept. 27, 1995, and hit the western Florida Panhandle near Pensacola as a Category 3 hurricane on Oct. 4, 1995, with winds that gusted to 144 mph at … Opal was responsible for 9 deaths in the United States, including 8 from falling trees and one from a tornado. This resulted in some damage to structures along the immediate coast, along with the erosion of numerous sand dunes. More Than Meets The Eye. Hurricane Opal 1995 . One of those structures was . Tropical Storm Opal continued west until October 2. Nationwide 4.Opal was the first storm to be assigned a name beginning with the letter o. By 10am, Opal had maximum sustained winds of an alarming 150 mph, which is just below Category 5 intensity. This document will mainly focus on the impacts from Hurricane Opal across the northwest Florida panhandle. Opal rapidly weakened after moving inland People died from falling trees. Hurricane Opal rapidly intensifying in the Gulf of Mexico on October 3, Hurricane Opal near landfall in Pensacola, Florida as a Category 3 hurricane. Multiple locations were found. Opal’s legacy will always be the devastating storm surge that occurred across the coastal areas of the western Florida Panhandle. top right bottom left center Almost 1,000 boats were damaged and it was estimated that $50 million in damage was done to recreational boats. It was upgraded to Tropical Storm Opal three days later, while near the Yucatan Peninsula. Hurricane Opal was the fifteenth named storm, tenth hurricane, and fourth major hurricane of the 1995 Atlantic hurricane season. 5am on October 4th. depression was upgraded to Tropical Storm Opal on the morning of September 30th Due to Opal’s fast forward speed, strong damaging winds impacted areas along and east of Interstate 65 in southern Alabama, blowing down numerous trees and power lines and causing structural damage to homes. It crossed the Yucatán Peninsula while still a tropical depression from September 27, then strengthened northward in the Gulf, becoming the most powerful Category 4 Atlantic hurricane before making a second landfall, October 4, in the Florida Panhandle near Pensacola as a 125-mph (201-km/h) hurricane. Hurricane Opal became a tropical storm over central Alabama and did not weaken to a tropical depression till it was in Tennessee. Photo courtesy of NOAA, Office for Coastal Management, DigitalCoast. 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