&sq=Facebook&lang=en&file=File:Earl_1998-09-02_1745Z.png) Earl near peak intensity shortly before making landfall in Florida late on September 2 | |
| Meteorological history | |
|---|---|
| Formed | August 31, 1998 |
| Extratropical | September 3, 1998 |
| Dissipated | September 8, 1998 |
| Category 2 hurricane | |
| 1-minute sustained (SSHWS/NWS) | |
| Highest winds | 100 mph (155 km/h) |
| Lowest pressure | 985 mbar (hPa); 29.09 inHg |
| Overall effects | |
| Fatalities | 3 direct |
| Damage | $79 million (1998 USD) |
| Areas affected | Florida, Georgia, Carolinas, Atlantic Canada |
| IBTrACS | |
Part of the 1998 Atlantic hurricane season | |
Hurricane Earl was an atypical, disorganized, and short-lived Category 2 hurricane that caused moderate damage throughout the Southeast United States. It formed out of a poorly organized tropical disturbance over the southwest Gulf of Mexico late on August 31, 1998. Tracking towards the northeast, the storm quickly intensified into a hurricane on September 2 and made landfall early the next day near Panama City, Florida. Rapidly tracking towards Atlantic Canada, the extratropical remnants of Earl significantly intensified before passing over Newfoundland on September 6. The remnants were absorbed by former Hurricane Danielle two days later.
Moderate beach erosion occurred along the coasts of Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and Florida as waves reached 20 ft (6.1 m). Throughout Florida, nearly 2,000 homes were damaged and a few were destroyed. Severe flooding caused by storm surge and heavy rains was the main cause of damage in the state. Offshore, two men drowned after their boat capsized during the storm. A minor tornado outbreak took place in relation to Earl in Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, and North Carolina. A tornado in South Carolina killed one person after completely destroying the occupant's home. In all, three people were killed by Earl and damages were $79 million (1998 USD; $104.4 million 2009 USD).