1995 — Oct 4, Hurricane/Tropical Storm Opal, FL panhandle, NC, esp. AL, GA –30-34

International  (80-84)

-80-84  Blanchard estimate using 30-34 for U.S. rather than 9.

—    59  Mayfield (NHC). Preliminary Report. Hurricane Opal, 27 September – 5 October 1995.

–31  Guatemala (flooding during developing stages of Opal)

–19  Mexico (flooding)

—  9  United States:

–1  FL (tornado)

–2  AL (tree fall onto mobile home)

–5  GA (falling trees)

–1  NC (tree fall onto mobile home)

—     44  Longshore. Encyclopedia of Hurricanes, Typhoons, and Cyclones (New Ed.). 2008, 337.

–25  Mexico

–19  United States (–2  FL; –6  AL;             –9  GA; –2  NC)

 

United States  (30-34)

–30-34  Blanchard tally from State and locality breakouts below.[1]

—     27  CDC. “Deaths Associated with Hurricanes Marilyn and Opal…1995.” 1996.[2]

—     27  NCDC. Hurricane Opal Preliminary Report (Tech. Report 95-02). Nov 1995, p3.[3]

—     21  AP. “Battered by 2 hurricanes, Florida braces for…” Syracuse Herald. 10-11-1995, 16.

—     21  Barnes, Jay. Florida’s Hurricane History. Chapel Hill: UNC Press, 1998, p. 297.

—     20  AP. “Opal clean-up continues.” Ottawa Herald, KS, 10-9-1995, p. 10.

—     19  Longshore. Encyclopedia of Hurricanes, Typhoons, and Cyclones (New Ed.). 2008, 337.

—     19  Reuters. “Hurricane Opal joins list of worst-ever US storms.” OC Register, 10-8-1995, 1

—       9  Mayfield (NHC). Preliminary Report. Hurricane Opal, 27 Sep – 5 Oct 1995.[4]

 

Alabama         (     12)

–12  CDC. “Deaths Associated with Hurricanes Marilyn and Opal [US Sep-Oct 1995].” 1996.

–12  Blanchard tally of locality breakouts below.

—  6  NCDC. Hurricane Opal Preliminary Report (Technical Report 95-02). Nov 1995, p. 3.[5]

—  6  Accidents, including two from a tree fall onto a trailer. Washington Post, 10-6-1995, A1.

—  2  Direct. Etowah County, Gadsden. High wind topples tree onto mobile home.[6]

—>3  Indirect. (Notes asphyxiation and house fires as examples.)[7]

Breakout by Alabama County:

–1  Chambers, post-impact. Electrocution; while repairing a downed power line; male, 34.[8]

–1  Chambers, post-impact. Heart attack; while repairing damaged fence; male, 61.[9]

–1  Clay, post-impact. Trauma; tractor overturned while clearing debris; male, 86.[10]

–1  Coffee, post-impact. While surveying damage, hit by car that ran into tree; female, 58.[11]

–1  Coffee, post-impact. While surveying damage, hit by car that ran into tree; male 73.[12]

–1  Coffee. Strenuous work during clean-up exacerbated lung condition; male, 70.[13]

–1  Etowah Co., Gadsden, Oct 4. Tree fall on mobile home; female (Theresa Pritchett),[14] 33.[15]

–1  Etowah Co., Gadsden, Oct 4. Tree fall onto mobile home; male (Phillip Nesbitt),[16] 35.[17]

–1  Henry Co. Headland, Oct 4. Burns; house fire, candle used during the storm, male, 28.[18]

–1  Jefferson, Oct 4. Trauma — train accident, victim ejected, run over by train; male, 30.[19]

–1  Jefferson County, Trussville. CO poisoning; unventilated gas generator; male,[20] 51.[21]

–1  Lee, post-impact. Heart attack; while cleaning up debris; male, 87.[22]

 

Florida            (   2-5)

— 5  NCDC. Hurricane Opal Preliminary Report (Technical Report 95-02). Nov 1995, p. 3.[23]

— 2  AP. “Battered by 2 hurricanes, Florida braces…” Syracuse Herald-Journal, 10-11-1995, 16.

— 2  AP (Fort Walton Beach). “Opal clean-up continues.” Ottawa Herald, KS, 10-9-1995, 10.

— 2  Barnes, Jay. Florida’s Hurricane History. Chapel Hill and London: UNC Press, 1998, 297.

— 2  CDC. “Deaths Associated with Hurricanes Marilyn and Opal [US Sep-Oct 1995].” 1996.

Breakout by Florida County:

— 1  Escambia, impact phase. Tree fall while working at gas station during storm; male, 36.[24]

— 1  Okaloosa County, Crestview. Tornado spawned by Opal hits home; female, 76.[25]

 

Georgia          (13-14)

–14  NCDC. Hurricane Opal Preliminary Report (Technical Report 95-02). Nov 1995, p. 3.[26]

–13  Blanchard tally of locality breakouts below.

–11  Barnes, Jay. Florida’s Hurricane History. Chapel Hill and London: UNC Press, 1998, 297.

–11  CDC. “Deaths Associated with Hurricanes Marilyn and Opal [US Sep-Oct 1995].” 1996.

–11  Includes Oct 8 (latest) death; male, crushed clearing storm-damaged trees on his property.[27]

–11  Reuters. “Hurricane Opal joins list of worst-ever U.S. storms.” OC Register, 10-8-1995, 1.

–10  AP (Fort Walton Beach). “Opal clean-up continues.” Ottawa Herald, KS, 10-9-1995, 10.

—  9  North GA. AP (Russ Bynum). “Georgia gets Opal’s deadly calling card.” 10-7-1995, p. 23.

–5  Tree falls due to rain-saturated soil. AP (Bynum). “Georgia…”10-7-1995, p. 23.

–1  Motorcyclist going around curve hits section of downed tree being cut by workers.[28]

–1  Cobb County, Marietta. Tree falls onto pickup truck; male (Dorsey W. Millirons).[29]

—  7  Accidents. WP (Rene Sanchez). “Opal Kills 15 in Assault on South.” 10-6-1995, A1.

—  5  Mayfield (NHC). Preliminary Report. Hurricane Opal, 27 September – 5 October 1995.

Breakout by Georgia County:

–1  Carroll County, Villa Rica. Tree fall onto trailer pins female,[30] 20, in bed.[31]

–1  Cobb, impact phase. Asphyxia after being struck by falling tree outside; male, 50.[32]

–1  Dekalb, post-impact. Burns; fire started by candles in house without power, male, 4.[33]

–1  Floyd, post-impact. Collision in intersection; traffic lights inoperable; female,[34] 58.[35]

–1  Fulton County, Atlanta, impact phase. Tree fall through roof of residence; male,[36] 74.[37]

–1  Fulton, post-impact. Motorcycle hits fallen tree in roadway; male, 34.[38]

–1  Gilmer, post-impact. Trauma; struck by tree being cut down in yard of home; male, 53.[39]

–1  Haralson County, Bremen, impact phase. Tree fall on cab of truck; male (Hinely),[40] 26.[41]

–1  Haralson, impact phase. “Vehicle accident attributed to rain from storm;” female,[42] 55.[43]

–1  Murray, post-impact. Smoke inhalation; explosion of propane cooking device; male,[44] 62.[45]

–2  Paulding County. Fire from candles after loss of power due to storm; elderly females.[46]

–1  Spaulding Co., Griffin, impact phase. Tree fall onto cab of pickup; male (Burel),[47] 45.[48]

 

North Carolina (  3)

— 3  Blanchard tally of locality breakouts below.

— 2  CDC. “Deaths Associated with Hurricanes Marilyn and Opal [US Sep-Oct 1995].” 1996.

— 2  Falling trees. Barnes, Jay. Florida’s Hurricane History. Chapel Hill: UNC Press, 1998, 294.

— 2  NCDC. Hurricane Opal Preliminary Report (Technical Report 95-02). Nov 1995, p. 3.[49]

 

Breakout by North Carolina County:

–1  Buncombe Co., Candler vic., impact phase. Tree fall onto mobile home; male,[50] 60.[51]

–1  Madison Co., Marshall. Tree fall while helping to clear neighbor’s driveway, male, 44.[52]

–1  McDowell, post. Drowning; fell into swollen creek while inspecting damage; male, 68.[53]

 

Causes of Death (Direct) — 10

Tornado:        (1)

–1  FL. Okaloosa County, Crestview. Tornado. Female, 76.

 

Tree Falls:      (9)

–1  AL. Etowah, Oct 4. Tree fall onto mobile home; female 33.

–1  AL. Etowah, Oct 4. Tree fall onto mobile home; male, 35.

–1  FL. Escambia, impact phase. Tree fall while working at gas station during storm; male, 36.

–1  GA. Carroll, impact phase. Tree fall pins female, 20; bleeds to death when tree removed.

–1  GA. Cobb, impact phase. Asphyxia after being struck by falling tree outside; male, 50.

–1  GA. Cobb County, Marietta. Tree falls onto pickup truck; male (Dorsey W. Millirons).

–1  GA. Fulton, impact phase. Tree fall through roof of residence; male, 74.

–1  GA. Spaulding, impact phase. Tree fall onto cab of pickup; male, 45.

–1  NC. Buncombe, impact phase. Asphyxia; tree fall onto mobile home; male, 60.

 

Causes of Death (Indirect) – 26

 

Accidents:                                          (7)

–1  AL. Clay, post-impact. Trauma; tractor overturned while clearing debris; male, 86.

–1  AL. Coffee, post-impact. While surveying damage, hit by car that ran into tree; female, 58.

–1  AL. Coffee, post-impact. While surveying damage, hit by car that ran into tree; male 73.

–1  AL. Jefferson, Oct 4. Trauma — train accident, victim ejected, run over by train; male, 30.

–1  GA. Floyd, post-impact. Collision in intersection; traffic lights were inoperable; female, 58.

–1  GA. Fulton, post-impact. Motorcycle hits fallen tree in roadway; male, 34.

–1  GA. Haralson, impact phase. “Vehicle accident attributed to rain from storm;” female, 55.

 

Carbon Monoxide Poisoning           (1)

–1  AL. Jefferson, impact phase. CO poisoning; gas generator in unventilated space; male, 51.

 

Drowning                                           (1)

–1  NC. McDowell, post. Drowning; fell into swollen creek while inspecting damage; male, 68.

 

Electrocution:                                    (1)

–1  AL. Chambers, post-impact. Electrocution; while repairing a downed power line; male, 34.

 

Fire and/or Smoke Inhalation:        (5)

–1  AL. Henry, Oct 4. Burns; house fire started by candle used during the storm, male, 28.

–1  GA. Dekalb, post-impact. Burns; fire started by candles in house without power, male, 4.

–1  GA. Murray, post-impact. Smoke inhalation; explosion of propane cooking device; male, 62.

–2  GA. Paulding County. Fire from candles after loss of power due to storm; elderly females.

 

Health-Related:                                 (3)

–1  AL. Chambers, post-impact. Heart attack; while repairing damaged fence; male, 61.

–1  AL. Coffee, post-impact. Strenuous clean-up work exacerbated lung condition; male, 70.

–1  AL. Lee, post-impact. Heart attack; while cleaning up debris; male, 87.

 

Tree fall during cleanup:                 (4)

–1  FL. Falling tree during cleanup.

–1  GA. Gilmer, post-impact. Trauma; struck by tree being cut down in yard of home; male, 53.

–1  GA. Haralson, impact phase. Tree fall on cab of truck; male, 26.

–1  NC. Madison Co., Marshall. Tree fall while helping to clear neighbor’s driveway, male, 44.

 

Cause Not Noted:                              (4)

–3  FL.

–1  GA.

 

Narrative Information

 

Mayfield (NHC): “Hurricane Opal made landfall near Pensacola Beach, Florida as a marginal Category 3 hurricane…causing extensive storm surge damage to the immediate coastal areas of the Florida panhandle. It was the first major hurricane to strike the Florida panhandle since Eloise in 1975…” (Mayfield. Preliminary Report. Hurricane Opal, 27 Sep – 5 Oct 1995.)

 

WP:  “Destin, Fla., Oct. 5 – Hurricane Opal cut a deadly and destructive path through the South today, bringing the death toll to 15 people in four states and battering the homes, resorts and condominiums that line a 120-mile stretch of Florida’s famous Gulf Coast beaches. Florida officials said that fast-moving Opal, which disintegrated into a tropical depression as it made its way north, was one of the most destructive storms ever to hit the state. Initial estimates are that Opal caused at least $1.8 billion in insured property damage, second only to Hurricane Andrew, which devastated a portion of South Florida in 1992 and caused $17 billion in damage.

 

Sources

 

Associated Press (Pensacola Beach, FL). “Battered by 2 hurricanes, Florida braces for more.” Syracuse Herald-Journal, NY. 10-11-1995, A16. Accessed at: http://newspaperarchive.com/fullpagepdfviewer?img=27649218&sterm=georgia+hurricane+opal

 

Associated Press (Russ Bynum). “Georgia gets Opal’s deadly calling card.” Orange County Register, CA. 10-7-1995, 23. At: http://newspaperarchive.com/fullpagepdfviewer?img=195127389&sterm

 

Associated Press. “Hurricane leaves its mark.” Kokomo Tribune, IN. 10-7-1995, p. 14. Accessed at: http://newspaperarchive.com/fullpagepdfviewer?img=113686074&sterm=hurricane+opal

 

Associated Press (Adam Yeomans) “Hurricane Opal Kills 16.” Valley Independent, Monessen, PA. 10-6-1995, 1. At: http://newspaperarchive.com/fullpagepdfviewer?img=24791410&sterm

 

Associated Press. “List of Dead in Hurricane Opal By The Associated Press.” Kokomo Tribune, IN. 10-7-1995, p. 14. At: http://newspaperarchive.com/fullpagepdfviewer?img=113686074

 

Associated Press (Fort Walton Beach, FL). “Opal clean-up continues.” Ottawa Herald, KS, 10-9-1995, 10. At: http://newspaperarchive.com/fullpagepdfviewer?img=136106596&sterm

 

Barnes, Jay. Florida’s Hurricane History. Chapel Hill and London: UNC Press, 1998.

 

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. “Deaths Associated with Hurricanes Marilyn and Opal – United States, September-October 1995.” MMWR [Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report], Vol. 45, No. 2, 1-19-1996, pp. 32-38. Accessed 5-5-2014 at:  http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/00040000.htm

 

Longshore, David.  Encyclopedia of Hurricanes, Typhoons, and Cyclones (New Edition). New York, NY:  Facts on File, 2008.

 

Mayfield, Max (NHC). Preliminary Report. Hurricane Opal, 27 September – 5 October 1995. Miami, FL National Hurricane Center, National Weather Service, NOAA, U.S. Department of Commerce, 11-29-1995. Accessed 5-13-2014 at: http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/1995opal.html

 

National Climatic Data Center (Graumann et al.), NOAA. Hurricane Opal Preliminary Report (Technical Report 95-02). Research Customer Service Group, NCDC, NOAA. November 1995. Accessed 5-14-2014 at: http://www1.ncdc.noaa.gov/pub/data/techrpts/tr9502/tr9502.pdf

 

National Weather Service Weather Forecast Office, Birmingham, AL. Hurricane Opal 1995 (webpage). 5-29-2011 modification. Accessed 5-14-2014 at: http://www.srh.noaa.gov/bmx/?n=event_opal1995

 

Reuters (David Morgan) “Hurricane Opal joins list of worst-ever U.S. storms.” Orange County Register, Santa Ana, CA, 10-8-1995, p. 1. Accessed at: http://newspaperarchive.com/fullpagepdfviewer?img=195129190&sterm=georgia+hurricane

 

Savannah News-Press, GA. “A Hurricane’s Wrath…The Victims.” 10-7-1995, 7A. Accessed 5-15-2014 at: http://archives.savannahnow.com/sav_pdf_archive/text/fr520/A_2398351.pdf

 

Washington Post (Rene Sanchez). “Opal Kills 15 in Assault on South.” 10-6-1995, A1. Accessed 5-13-2014: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/national/longterm/hurricane/archives/opal95b.htm

 

 

 

[1] Have been able to find individualized information on only two of the five deaths reported by the NCDC (based on State EM Agency reporting) for Florida, and thirteen of the fourteen deaths the NCDC reports for Georgia.

[2] “Data on deaths reported during October 4-25 attributed to the storm were provided by the offices of the ME/Cs [Medical Examiners/Coroners] in all counties in Alabama, Florida, and Georgia for which state or federal disaster declarations were issued, and in other counties without disaster declarations where hurricane-related deaths were reported; in addition, CDC contacted counties adjacent to those meeting the above criteria. In North Carolina, the chief ME in the State Department of Environment, Health, and Natural Resources was contacted for information on the entire state. ME/Cs were asked to provide information about decedents and circumstances of any death attributed to the hurricane. All eligible counties except one in Alabama and one in Georgia were contacted.” [While the CDC and the NCDC both note 27 fatalities, the State breakouts differ, the CDC noting 12 deaths in Alabama, for example, and the NCDC noting 6.]

[3] Writes these were direct and indirect as reported by individual state emergency management agencies.

[4] Undoubtedly a reference to direct deaths only. We show ten.

[5] Writes these were direct and indirect as reported by individual state emergency management agencies.

[6] NWS Weather Forecast Office, Birmingham, AL. Hurricane Opal 1995 (webpage). 5-29-2011 modification.

[7] “…there were several other people killed in the state [after noting 2 direct deaths], but those deaths, such as house fires and asphyxiation, were not directly attributable to the weather.” NWS Weather Forecast Office, Birmingham, AL. Hurricane Opal 1995 (webpage). 5-29-2011 modification.

[8] CDC. “Deaths Associated with Hurricanes Marilyn and Opal [US Sep-Oct 1995].” 1996. (Table 2)

[9] CDC. “Deaths Associated with Hurricanes Marilyn and Opal [US Sep-Oct 1995].” 1996. (Table 2)

[10] CDC. “Deaths Associated with Hurricanes Marilyn and Opal [US Sep-Oct 1995].” 1996. (Table 2)

[11] CDC. “Deaths Associated with Hurricanes Marilyn and Opal [US Sep-Oct 1995].” (Table 2). 1996. This might be a reference to two “…people killed in New Brockton [Coffee County] after hitting a tree.” (Savannah News-Press, GA. “A Hurricane’s Wrath…The Victims.” 10-7-1995, 7A.)

[12] CDC. “Deaths Associated with Hurricanes Marilyn and Opal [US Sep-Oct 1995].” 1996. (Table 2)

[13] CDC. “Deaths Associated with Hurricanes Marilyn and Opal [US Sep-Oct 1995].” 1996. (Table 2)

[14] Assoc. Press. “List of Dead in Hurricane Opal by the Associated Press.” Kokomo Tribune, IN. 10-7-1995, p. 14.

[15] CDC. “Deaths Associated with Hurricanes Marilyn and Opal [US Sep-Oct 1995].” 1996. (Table 2)

[16] Assoc. Press. “List of Dead in Hurricane Opal by the Associated Press.” Kokomo Tribune, IN. 10-7-1995, p. 14.

[17] CDC. “Deaths Associated with Hurricanes Marilyn and Opal [US Sep-Oct 1995].” 1996. (Table 2)

[18] CDC. “Deaths Associated with Hurricanes Marilyn and Opal [US Sep-Oct 1995].” 1996. (Table 2)

[19] CDC. “Deaths Associated with Hurricanes Marilyn and Opal [US Sep-Oct 1995].” 1996. (Table 2)

[20] Needham Lisenby. (AP. “List of Dead in…Opal…Associated Press.” Kokomo Tribune, IN. 10-7-1995, p. 14.)

[21] CDC. “Deaths Associated with…Opal…1995.” (Table 2). 1996. Notes this was during the impact phase.

[22] CDC. “Deaths Associated with Hurricanes Marilyn and Opal [US Sep-Oct 1995].” 1996. (Table 2)

[23] Writes these were direct and indirect as reported by individual state emergency management agencies.

[24] CDC. “Deaths Associated with Hurricanes Marilyn and Opal [US Sep-Oct 1995].” 1996. (Table 2)

[25] Washington Post (Rene Sanchez). “Opal Kills 15 in Assault on South.” 10-6-1995, A1. Reference is to Mary Outlaw. (AP. “List of Dead in Hurricane Opal By The Associated Press.” Kokomo Tribune, IN. 10-7-1995, p. 14.)

[26] Writes these were direct and indirect as reported by individual state emergency management agencies.

[27] AP. “Battered by 2 hurricanes, Florida braces for more.” Syracuse Herald-Journal, NY, 10-11-1995, A16.

[28] AP (Russ Bynum). “Georgia gets Opal’s deadly calling card.” 10-7-1995, p. 23.

[29] AP (Russ Bynum). “Georgia gets Opal’s deadly calling card.” 10-7-1995, p. 23.

[30] Lori B. Wilson. (AP. “List of Dead in Hurricane Opal…Associated Press.” Kokomo Tribune, IN. 10-7-1995, 14.)

[31] Bled to death when tree was removed. (CDC. “Deaths Associated with…Opal…1995.” 1996. (Table 2)

[32] CDC. “Deaths Associated with Hurricanes Marilyn and Opal [US Sep-Oct 1995].” 1996. (Table 2). This may well be a reference to Dorsey W. Millirons, 51, of Acworth, who died when a tree fell on his pickup. (Associated Press. “List of Dead in Hurricane Opal By The Associated Press.” Kokomo Tribune, IN. 10-7-1995, p. 14.)

[33] CDC. “Deaths Associated with Hurricanes Marilyn and Opal [US Sep-Oct 1995].” 1996. (Table 2)

[34] Ruth Elizabeth Shumate of Rome. (AP. “List of Dead in…Opal…” Kokomo Tribune, IN. 10-7-1995, 14.)

[35] CDC. “Deaths Associated with Hurricanes Marilyn and Opal [US Sep-Oct 1995].” 1996. (Table 2)

[36] Fred Weaver. AP. “List of Dead in Hurricane Opal by…Associated Press.” Kokomo Tribune, IN. 10-7-1995, 14.

[37] CDC. “Deaths Associated with Hurricanes Marilyn and Opal [US Sep-Oct 1995].” 1996. (Table 2)

[38] CDC. “Deaths Associated with Hurricanes Marilyn and Opal [US Sep-Oct 1995].” 1996. (Table 2)

[39] CDC. “Deaths Associated with Hurricanes Marilyn and Opal [US Sep-Oct 1995].” 1996. (Table 2)

[40] Charles Hinely. AP. “List of Dead in…Opal by…Associated Press.” Kokomo Tribune, IN. 10-7-1995, 14.

[41] CDC. “Deaths Associated with Hurricanes Marilyn and Opal [US Sep-Oct 1995].” 1996. (Table 2)

[42] Nancy Elliott of Felton, whose car skidded and struck a tractor-trailer. (AP. “List of Dead in Hurricane Opal…Associated Press.” Kokomo Tribune, IN. 10-7-1995, 14.)

[43] CDC. “Deaths Associated with Hurricanes Marilyn and Opal [US Sep-Oct 1995].” 1996. (Table 2)

[44] Thomas Graves of Chatsworth “died in an explosion when he tried to light his gas grill inside his house. He was trying to cook breakfast on the grill because his electricity was out.” (AP. “List of Dead in Hurricane Opal…Associated Press.” Kokomo Tribune, IN. 10-7-1995, 14.)

[45] No power. CDC. “Deaths Associated with Hurricanes Marilyn and Opal [US Sep-Oct 1995].” 1996. (Table 2)

[46] Reuters. “Hurricane Opal joins list of worst-ever U.S. storms.” Register, 10-8-1995, p. 1.

[47] Samuel R. Burel. AP. “List of Dead in Hurricane Opal…Associated Press.” Kokomo Tribune, IN. 10-7-1995, 14.

[48] CDC. “Deaths Associated with Hurricanes Marilyn and Opal [US Sep-Oct 1995].” 1996. (Table 2)

[49] Writes these were direct and indirect as reported by individual state emergency management agencies.

[50] Robert C. King, 61. (Savannah News-Press, GA. “A Hurricane’s Wrath…The Victims.” 10-7-1995, 7A.)

[51] CDC. “Deaths Associated with Hurricanes Marilyn and Opal [US Sep-Oct 1995].” 1996. (Table 2)

[52] “Donald Beddingfield, 44, killed by a falling tree while helping to clear another fallen tree from an elderly man’s driveway near Marshall. (Savannah News-Press, GA. “A Hurricane’s Wrath…The Victims.” 10-7-1995, 7A.)

[53] CDC. “Deaths Associated with Hurricanes Marilyn and Opal [US Sep-Oct 1995].” 1996. (Table 2)