25 YEARS AGO: HURRICANE OPAL… While we closely monitor Hurricane Delta, we look back to a storm that caused extensive damage across part our region. Hurricane Opal originated near the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico in early October 1995. The hurricane became a high-end, category 4 hurricane with maximum winds at peak intensity of 150 mph. Thankfully, the system weakened slightly before landfall near Pensacola Beach and Navarre Beach on October 4, 1995.
OPAL REMAINS A MEMORABLE STORM… Damage was widespread across south Alabama and northwest Florida. I was a 3 year old hunkered down with my family and our next door neighbors in Brewton, AL on that long, memorable night. I don’t personally remember much, but I do have vague memories of being huddled in the hallway as the winds outside caused horrible, scary noises. Damage in Andalusia, Crestview, and many locales on the eastern side of our region was extensive and widespread. Opal remains the “benchmark” hurricane for many folks across the eastern half of our region. Were you here for Hurricane Opal? It is always fascinating to hear the stories of survival after a storm like Opal.
DELTA REMAINS POWERFUL THIS EVENING… Hurricane Delta continues to pack maximum sustained winds of 130 mph this evening as of the 10PM Tuesday advisory, making the storm a category 4, major hurricane. The wind speeds have decreased from 145 mph earlier, but fluctuations in powerful hurricanes like this are expected due to eyewall replacement cycles. Extreme impacts are expected in the hours ahead near Cancun, Cozumel, and much of the northeastern corner of the Yucatan Peninsula. Delta will move into the southern Gulf on Wednesday ahead of a likely Louisiana landfall on Friday night. Local impacts in south Alabama and northwest Florida will be possible, although it is becoming more clear each hour that the greater impacts are more likely to happen to our west in Louisiana and Mississippi. My next video update will be posted tomorrow morning by 7:15AM. See you then!
APP… If you haven’t already, be sure to download the free RedZone Weather app to keep up with all the latest information on the world of weather in south Alabama and northwest Florida. redzoneweather.com/app is the link for the free download. Once you have the app downloaded to your iOS or Android device, be sure to visit the Alerts tab (lower right corner) and tap the large, yellow Alert Settings button to customize the alerts you would like to receive straight from me.