lornajarrettblanchard

1996 — Year, Measles                                                                                                           —       1

 

Hinman Figure 3. “Acute measles deaths, by reporting source, United States, 1987-2001.” Data derived from the National Center for Health Statistics underlying-cause mortality database.

 

Source

 

Hinman, Alan R., et al. “Acute Measles Mortality in the United States, 1987-2002.” Journal of Infectious Diseases, Vol. 189 (Supplement 1), 2004, pp. S69-S77. Accessed 5-2-2016 at: http://jid.oxfordjournals.org/content/189/Supplement_1/S69.long

 

–159 Aviation Safety Network. American Airlines Boeing 757 approach crash into mt., 12-20-1995.

Narrative Information

Aviation Safety Network, Flight Safety Foundation, Database, 1995:
“Date: Wednesday 20 Dec 1995 “Time: 21:38
“Type: Boeing 757-223
“Operator: American Airlines
“Registration: N651AA
“MSN: 24609/390 ….
“Crew: Fatalities: 8 / Occupants: 8
“Passengers: Fatalities: 151 / Occupants: 163
“Total: Fatalities: 159 / Occupants: 163
“….Location: Buga (Colombia)
“Crash site elevation: 2712 m (8898 feet) amsl
“Phase: Approach (APR)
“Nature: International Scheduled Passenger
“Departure airport: Miami International Airport, FL (USA)
“Destination airport: Cali-Alfonso Bonilla Aragon Airport, Colombia
“Flight number: AA965
“Narrative:

“At about 18:34 EST, American Airlines Flight 965 took off from Miami for a flight to Cali. At 21:34, while descending to FL200, the crew contacted Cali Approach. The aircraft was 63nm out of Cali VOR (which is 8nm South of the airport)) at the time. Cali cleared the flight for a direct Cali VOR approach and report at Tulua VOR. Followed one minute later by a clearance for a straight in VOR DME approach to runway 19 (the Rozo 1 arrival).

“The crew then tried to select the Rozo NDB (Non Directional Beacon) on the Flight Management Computer (FMC). Because their Jeppesen approach plates showed ‘R’ as the code for Rozo, the crew selected this option. But ‘R’ in the FMC database meant Romeo. Romeo is a navaid 150nm from Rozo, but has the same frequency. The aircraft had just passed Tulua VOR when it started a turn to the left (towards Romeo). This turn caused some confusion in the cockpit since Rozo 1 was to be a straight in approach. 87 Seconds after commencing the turn, the crew activated Heading Select (HDG SEL), which disengaged LNAV and started a right turn. The left turn brought the B757 over mountainous terrain, so a Ground Proximity (GPWS) warning sounded. With increased engine power and nose-up the crew tried to climb. The spoilers were still activated however. The stick shaker then activated and the aircraft crashed into a mountain at about 8900 feet (Cali field elevation being 3153 feet).

“Probable Cause: “Aeronautica Civil determines that the probable causes of this accident were:

“1. The flight crew’s failure to adequately plan and execute the approach to runway 19 at SKCL and their inadequate use of automation;

2. Failure of the flight crew to discontinue the approach into Cali, despite numerous cues alerting them of the inadvisability of continuing the approach;

3. The lack of situational awareness of the flight crew regarding vertical navigation, proximity to terrain, and the relative location of critical radio aids;

4. Failure of the flight crew to revert to basic radio navigation at the time when the FMS-assisted navigation became confusing and demanded an excessive workload in a critical phase of the flight.

“Contributing to the cause of the accident were:

1. The flight crew’s ongoing efforts to expedite their approach and landing in order to avoid potential delays;

2. The flight crew’s execution of the GPWS escape manoeuvre while the speed brakes remained deployed;

3. FMS logic that dropped all intermediate fixes from the display(s) in the event of execution of a direct routing;

4. FMS-generated navigational information that used a different naming convention from that published in navigational charts.”
Newspaper

Dec 23, (AP): “Buga, Columbia (AP) – Amid a field of bodies – some still strapped in their seats – and wreckage hanging from trees, investigators found a flight recorder Friday that they hope will explain why an American Airlines jet flew off course and crashed into a mountain with 164 people aboard. Four people, including two Americans, survived the Wednesday night crash 40 miles from Cali, Columbia’s second-largest city.

“Nicholas Burns said at least 48 of the people on the flight were U.S. citizens [two survived], but determining the precise number was difficult because many passengers were dual nationals.
“The crash was the deadliest involving a U.S. airline since a Pan Am flight went down over Lockerbie, Scotland, on Dec 21, 1988. That crash, blamed on terrorists, killed 270 people….” (Associated Press. “Officials find ‘black box’ from crashed American jet.” (Nashua Telegraph, NH. 12-23-1995, p. 2.)
Sources

Associated Press. “Officials find ‘black box’ from crashed American jet.” (Nashua Telegraph, NH. 12-23-1995, p. 2. Accessed 7-29-2023 at:
https://newspaperarchive.com/nashua-telegraph-dec-23-1995-p-2/

Aviation Safety Network, Flight Safety Foundation, Database, 1995. American Airlines Boeing 757 approach crash into mt., 12-20-1995. Accessed 7-29-2023 at: https://aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=19951220-1

— 7  NTSB. Collision of Northeast IL Regional Commuter Railroad Corporation…Train.

— 7  NTSB. Collision of Northeast (Metra) Train and…School Bus at Railroad…Crossing.

 

Narrative Information

 

NTSB Press Release: “On October 25, 1995, at 7:10 a.m., the Northeast Illinois Regional Commuter Railroad Corporation (d/b/a Metropolitan Rail) express commuter train 624 struck the rear left side of a stopped Transportation Joint Agreement School District 47/155 school bus at a railroad/highway grade crossing in Fox River Grove, Illinois. The accident occurred after the school bus had crossed the railroad tracks and stopped for a red traffic signal, with its rear extended about 3 feet into the path of the train. Of the 35 school bus passengers, 7, 24, and 4 passengers sustained fatal, serious to minor, and no injuries, respectively; the busdriver received minor injuries. The 120 passengers and 3 crewmembers aboard the commuter train were uninjured.

 

“The National Transportation Safety Board determines that the probable cause of the collision was that the busdriver had positioned the school bus so it encroached upon the railroad tracks because of the failure of: 1) the Illinois Department of Transportation to recognize the short queuing area on northbound Algonquin Road and to take corrective action; 2) the Illinois Department of Transportation to recognize the insufficient time of the green signal indication for vehicles on northbound Algonquin Road before the arrival of a train at the crossing; and 3) the Transportation Joint Agreement School District 47/155 to identify route hazards and to provide its drivers with alternative instructions for such situations. Contributing to the accident was the failure of the Illinois Department of Transportation and its many contractors, the Illinois Commerce Commission, and the railroads to have a communication system that ensures understanding of the integration and working relationship of the railroad and highway signal systems.”

 

Sources

 

National Transportation Safety Board. Collision of Northeast Illinois Regional Commuter Railroad Corporation (METRA) Train and Transportation Joint Agreement School District 47/155 School Bus at Railroad/Highway Grade Crossing in Fox River Grove, Illinois, on October 25, 1995 (NTSB/HAR-96/02). Washington DC: NTSB, adopted 10-29-1996, 82 pages. Accessed 9-21-2015 at: http://www.ntsb.gov/investigations/AccidentReports/Reports/HAR9602.pdf

 

National Transportation Safety Board. Collision of Northeast (Metra) Train and Transportation Joint Agreement School District 47/155 School Bus at Railroad/Highway Grade Crossing (Accident Report Detail Press Release). Washington, DC: NTSB, 6-24-1996. Accessed 9-21-2015 at: http://www.ntsb.gov/investigations/AccidentReports/Pages/HAR9602.aspx

 

 

 

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)

—  24  Aviation Safety Network. Accident Description. “USAF Boeing…Anchorage…Sep 22.”

—  24  Baugher, Joseph F. 1977 USAF Serial Numbers. 1-10-2010 revision.

—  24  Flight Safety Found. “Military Boeing 707 Strikes Birds After Liftoff…,” Accident Prev.

—  24  Gero, David. Military Aviation Disasters: Significant Losses Since 1908. 1999, 164.

—  24  Planecrashinfo.com. “1995. Accident Details. USAF…Anchorage, AK…Sep 22, 1995.”

 

Narrative Information

 

ASN: “Boeing E-3B Sentry 77-0354 was military Boeing 707-derivative, a.o. equipped and AWACS system. The aircraft, operated by the US Air Force 962nd Airborne Air Control Sqn, 3rd Wing, was assigned call-sign Yukla 27 for a 6.2 hr training mission. At 07:43 Yukla 27 was holding short of runway 05, waiting for takeoff, when a Lockheed Hercules departed. This aircraft disturbed a flock of Canada geese. The Yukla 27 crew were not warned about this by the tower controller.  At 07:45 they were cleared for takeoff and the throttles were advanced. As the plane rotated for lift-off numerous geese were ingested in the no. 1 and 2 engines resulting in a catastrophic no. 2 engine failure and a stalling no. 1 engine.  The crew initiated a slow climbing turn to the left and began to dump fuel. The aircraft attained a maximum altitude of 250 feet before it started to descend. The plane impacted a hilly, wooded area less than a mile from the runway, broke up, exploded and burned.

“PROBABLE CAUSE: Ingestion of Canada geese into the no. 1 and 2 engines. Two contributing factors were the fact that the 3rd Wing lacked an aggressive program to detect and deter geese; the preparations for the migration season of the bird hazard reduction working group (BHRWG) were insufficient. An earlier safety agency staff assistance visit (SAV) had misled the 3rd Wing to believe that they were prepared. The second contributing factor was the tower controllers failure to notify Yukla 27 or airfield management that geese were present on the infield.”  (Aviation Safety Network.  Accident Description. “USAF Boeing…Anchorage…Sep 22.”)

 

Baugher:  “Boeing E-3A Sentry…. 0354 (c/n 21554, 961st AACS) crashed in Alaska Sept 22, 1995 shortly after takeoff from Elmendorf AFB, AK when geese were ingested by engines.  All 24 onboard killed.”   (Baugher, Joseph F.  1977 USAF Serial Numbers.  1-10-2010 revision.)

 

Gero:  “Date:  22 September 1995 (c. 07:45)

 

“The modified Boeing 707-320B jet, used as an Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) aircraft, crashed and exploded shortly after taking off from Elmendorf Air Force Base, on a routine training mission.  All 24 crewmen aboard perished.

 

“Investigation revealed that a flock of 100 or more Canada geese, which had been roosting on the grass adjacent to the runway, rose into the air and were ingested into the two port engines of the E-3 five seconds after the commander was heard to call `rotate’ on the cockpit voice recorder tape.  This resulted in the immediate, uncontained and catastrophic failure of the No. 2 power plant and severe compressor stalls in the No. 1, leading to an asymmetrical thrust condition.  The aircraft began a slow left-hand climbing turn before it initially struck the ground with its port wing tip and then slammed into the hilly, wooded terrain approximately 1 mile (1.5km) north-north-east of the departure end of Runway 05, which it had used, its undercarriage still down and flaps partially extended at the moment of impact.

 

“The local weather at the time consisted of scattered clouds clown to about 1,500ft (500m) and layers at higher altitudes, a visibility of 7 miles (11km) and light to moderate turbulence. Only two minutes before the crash, a C-130 transport had disturbed the birds that would bring down 77-0354, but while this had been observed by the tower controller, he did not inform either the AWACS crew or Airfield Management.  Also cited were the procedures employed to reduce the bird hazard at the base, which were described as ‘inadequate’.  Four officers assigned there in fact received ‘administrative discipline’ for their failure to provide leadership in this area.”

(Gero, David. Military Aviation Disasters: Significant Losses Since 1908. 1999, 164.)

 

Planecrashinfo.com: “The aircraft suffered multiple bird strikes in the No. 1 and 2 engines just after taking off when it flew into a flock of 100 or more Canada Geese. The crew initiated a slow climb and began to dump fuel. The aircraft attained a maximum altitude of 250 ft. before it started to descend. The plane impacted a hilly wooded area less than a mile from the runway, broke up, exploded and burned. Ingestion of Canada geese into the Nos. 1 and 2 engines. Lack of adequate procedures to reduce bird hazards. The crew was not warned about observations of birds in the area by the ATC.” No survivors; 20 passengers, crew of four.”

(Planecrashinfo.com.)

Sources

 

Aviation Safety Network. Accident Description. United States Air Force, Boeing E-3A (707) Anchorage-Elmendorf AFB, AK, 22 Sep 1995. Accessed 7-15-2010 at:

http://aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=19950922-0

 

Baugher, Joseph F. 1977 USAF Serial Numbers. 1-10-2010 revision. Accessed 3-14-2012 at: http://www.joebaugher.com/usaf_serials/1977.html

 

Flight Safety Foundation. “Military Boeing 707 Strikes Birds After Liftoff; Damage to Engines No. 1 and No. 2 Results in Loss of Power and Impact with Terrain,” Accident Prevention, Vol. 53, No. 11, November 1996. Accessed at: http://flightsafety.org/ap/ap_nov96.pdf

 

Gero, David. Military Aviation Disasters: Significant Losses Since 1908. UK and Newbury Park, CA: Patrick Stephens Limited, an imprint of Hayes Publishing, 1999.

 

Planecrashinfo.com. “1995. Accident Details. USAF…Anchorage, AK…Sep 22, 1995.”  Accessed at:  http://www.planecrashinfo.com/1995/1995-59.htm

 

 

 

 

–10 CDC. “Deaths Associated with Hurricanes Marilyn and Opal [US Sep-Oct 1995].” 1-19-96.

—  8 (Direct). NHC/Rappaport. Preliminary Report. Hurricane Marilyn [12-22 Sep 95]. 1-17-96.

—  8 (Direct). NWS. Natural Disaster Survey Report. Hurricane Marilyn September 15-16, 1995.

 

Commonwealth of Puerto Rico       (2)

–2  CDC. “Deaths Associated with Hurricanes Marilyn and Opal [US Sep-Oct 1995].” 1-19-96.

–1  Asphyxia by submersion on boat during impact; body found 4 days later; male, 53. CDC.

–1  Electrocution; pre-impact shock while removing TV antenna on roof; male, 17. CDC.

–1  Culebra. NHC/Rappaport. Preliminary Report. Hurricane Marilyn, 12-22 Sept 1995.[1]

–1        “       Drowning, male, 53. NWS. Natural Disaster Survey Report. Marilyn. 1996, A-1.

 

St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands           (2)

–2  CDC. “Deaths Associated with Hurricanes Marilyn and Opal [US Sep-Oct 1995].” 1-19-96.

–1  Drowning on boat during impact; body found washed up on shore; male, 59. CDC.

–1  Natural causes — in shelter during impact; female, 107.[2]  CDC.

–1  NHC/Rappaport. Preliminary Report. Hurricane Marilyn, 12-22 Sept 1995. 1-17-96.[3]

–1  Drowning, male, 60. NWS. Natural Disaster Survey Report. Marilyn. 1996, A-1.

 

St. John, U.S. Virgin Islands            (1)

–1  NHC/Rappaport. Preliminary Report. Hurricane Marilyn, 12-22 September 1995. 1-17-96.

–1  Drowning on boat during impact; female 48. CDC.

 

St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands       (5)

–5  CDC. “Deaths Associated with Hurricanes Marilyn and Opal [US Sep-Oct 1995].” 1-19-96.

–1  Drowning on boat during impact; body found on shore; male 40[4] or 46. CDC.

–1  Drowning on boat during impact; body found washed up on shore; male 50+. (CDC)[5]

–1  Drowning on boat during impact; body found washed up on shore; male 62. (CDC)

–1  Drowning on boat during impact; body found washed up on shore; male 55-65. (CDC)[6]

–1  Head trauma on boat/impact with boat; body washed onto shore; male 50+ (CDC)[7]

–5  NHC/Rappaport. Preliminary Report. Hurricane Marilyn, 12-22 September 1995. 1-17-96.

 

Narrative Information

 

CDC: “On September 15, Hurricane Marilyn, a category two (on a scale of one to five) storm with sustained winds of 105 mph, made landfall in the U.S. Virgin Islands (USVI). The hurricane passed directly over St. Thomas (1990 population: 48,166) and affected St. John (1990 population: 3504) and St. Croix (1990 population: 50,139) in the USVI, and the islands of Culebra (1990 population: 1542) and Vieques (1990 population: 8602) in the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico…Gale-force winds, heavy rains, and storm surges of 3-5 feet resulted in damages reported at approximately $3 billion; more than 80% of the residential dwellings in St. Thomas were damaged or destroyed.[8]

 

“ME/C [Medical Examiner/Coroner] offices in the USVI and the Institute of Forensic Sciences in Puerto Rico provided information about hurricane-related deaths reported from September 15 through October 4. Specific information included characteristics about decedents (e.g., age and sex) and the circumstances of death (e.g., date of injury, date of death, location, cause of death, and other circumstances). “ME/Cs reported 10 deaths that were related, directly or indirectly, to Hurricane Marilyn….” (CDC)

 

NHC (Rappaport): “….The storm surge in the U.S. Virgin islands reached 6 to 7 feet, with an isolated storm tide of 11.7 feet reported on St. Croix. Rainfall totals reached about 10 inches in St. Croix and St. Thomas. An unofficial gust to 109 knots was reported from the island of Culebra….

 

“Marilyn caused severe damage to the U.S. Virgin Islands, in particular to St. Thomas. An estimated 80 percent of the homes and businesses on St. Thomas were destroyed and at least 10,000 people were left homeless. Some of the damage was reportedly attributable to lax construction standards and practices. According to FEMA, 30 percent of the homes on St. John were destroyed and 60 percent were roofless. About 20 to 30 percent of homes in St. Croix received damage. Trees fell and hotel windows broke there. Hillsides were littered with sheets of metal roofing, wooden planks and household debris. On Culebra, 250 homes were destroyed or severely damaged and light planes were overturned. Large waves crashed over the harbor at Dewey, Culebra, flooding streets. Flash floods occurred over northern and eastern Puerto Rico where the La Plata and Manati rivers overflowed.

 

“The American Insurance Services Group estimated insured losses for the U. S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico at $875 million. Because the overall loss is often estimated to be up to about double the insured loss, the total U.S. loss is tentatively estimated at $1.5 billion. The U. S. Virgin Islands Bureau of Economic Research estimated the economic loss at $3 billion. FEMA placed the cost for their programs at $1 billion in the Virgin Islands and $50 million in Puerto Rico. The FEMA totals include losses not traditionally described by the NHC as ‘damage’ such as FEMA’s cost to set up field offices, inspector’s salaries, disaster unemployment compensation, and crisis counseling….

 

“About 12,000 people went to shelters in Puerto Rico. In the U.S. Virgin Islands, 2,243 people were sheltered.” (NHC/Rappaport)

 

NWS:  “Marilyn was the first hurricane to strike the U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico since Hugo devastated the islands, almost to the day, 7 years earlier. Although Marilyn was not as intense, its effects were still dramatic. Eight deaths occurred, mostly on St. Thomas, mainly as a result of persons trying to ride out the storm on their boats. Preliminary damage estimates from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) totaled $2.1 billion with a majority of that centered on the city of Charlotte Amalie on St. Thomas. This figure does not include indirect costs, such as the loss of tourism.

 

“The tropical depression that became Hurricane Marilyn formed just east of the Windward Islands on September 12, 1995. The depression rapidly increased to tropical storm strength (i.e., maximum 1-minute sustained winds between 39 and 73 miles per hour [mph]) later that same night and to hurricane force (i.e., 74 mph or greater) late on the evening of September 13…. Overall, official forecast track errors were dramatically less than the 10-year average which is an

exceptionally good performance by NHC….

 

“Marilyn’s eye passed across the east end of St. Croix where an amateur radio operator reported an unconfirmed wind gust of 127 mph around 5 p.m., AST, Friday, September 15. The eye then passed between St. Thomas and Culebra [Puerto Rico] with the most devastating portion of the eyewall moving across the west part of St. Thomas. Here, both storm surge and wind caused widespread destruction. The Automated Surface Observing System (ASOS), located at the St. Thomas airport, recorded sustained winds of 104 mph with a maximum gust to 129 mph around midnight, September 15-16. These are the strongest recorded winds associated with Marilyn. Wind gusts approaching 140 mph were estimated from an aerial damage survey conducted soon after the hurricane’s passage. Heavy rains, mudslides, and strong winds pounded Culebra and Vieques where damage was also considerable. Marilyn did not severely impact the main island of Puerto Rico although some strong winds and heavy rains did affect the island…. (p. vii)

 

“The number of deaths directly related to Marilyn was eight with most of those occurring on St. Thomas and mostly as a result of people trying to ride out the storm on their sailboats. The total death toll was remarkably low considering the severity of the damage. This was perhaps a testimony to the quality of the forecasts and preparedness activities that took place before the storm….

 

“Most of the damage to the U.S. Virgin Islands was the result of wind except for the storm surge along the immediate coast. This included 21,000 homes damaged or destroyed, 5,800 utility poles damaged, desalinization plant on St. Thomas inoperative, and repair of two sewage treatment plants required.

 

“In contrast, most of the damage in Puerto Rico was the result of flooding. Ten municipalities on the mainland of Puerto Rico were declared disaster areas due to the flooding — Aguas Buenas, Barranquitas, Canovanas, Carolina, Fajardo, Juncos, Loiza, Naguabo, Ceiba, and Comerio. Two other municipalities, San Lorenzo and Ciales, were declared eligible for infrastructure help only. Damage estimates for Puerto Rico, including Culebra and Vieques, were set at $10 million….”

(NWS Natural Disaster Survey Report, p. 1)

 

Sources

 

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

 

National Hurricane Center (Edward N. Rappaport). Preliminary Report. Hurricane Marilyn, 12-22 September 1995. Miami, FL: NHC, National Weather Service, NOAA, Dept. of Commerce, 1-17-1996 update. Accessed 5-5-2014 at: http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/1995marilyn.html

 

National Weather Service, NOAA. Natural Disaster Survey Report. Hurricane Marilyn September 15-16, 1995. Silver Spring, MD: NWS, NOAA, U.S. Department of Commerce, January 1996. Accessed 5-5-2014 at: http://www.nws.noaa.gov/om/assessments/pdfs/marilyn.pdf

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[1] The NHC/Rappaport reports only “direct” deaths, and thus would not include the pre-impact electrocution fatality.

[2] “A 107 year-old woman died in an emergency shelter in the USVI; her death, although possibly precipitated by the circumstances of the hurricane, was attributed to natural causes.” Given the stress often experienced by people being moved to and living in an emergency shelter before and during a hurricane, and the negative impact of stress on the elderly, particularly those with pre-existing medical conditions, we are quite willing to believe that this woman might well not have died on the day she did except for the hurricane, thus we treat as a hurricane-related death.

[3] The NHC/Rappaport reports only “direct” deaths, and thus would not include the indirect natural causes death of the 107-year-old female in an emergency shelter.

[4] NWS Natural Disaster Service Report, at p. A-1, “Appendix A: Listing of Deaths Directly Associated with Hurricane Marilyn,” shows age as 40, whereas the CDC shows age as 46.

[5] NWS Natural Disaster Service Report, “Appendix A,” has age as 50.

[6] NWS Natural Disaster Service Report, “Appendix A,” has age as 65.

[7] NWS Natural Disaster Service Report, “Appendix A,” has age as 50.

[8] Cites:  Federal Emergency Management Agency. Situation reports, Hurricane Marilyn, 1995. Washington, DC: Federal Emergency Management Agency, 1995.

— 12  Aircraft Crashes Record Office (Geneva, Switzerland).  Virginia.

— 12  NTSB. Special Investigation Report on the Safety of Parachute Jump Operations, p. 38.

 

Narrative Information

 

NTSB: “On September 10, 1995, a Beech 65, N945PA, operated by the Peninsula Sky Diving Club, crashed following a loss of power in one engine during takeoff from the West Point Municipal Airport, West Point, Virginia. The airline transport pilot, 10 parachutists, and 1 person in a house were killed. Witnesses reported that they heard an engine misfiring during the airplane’s takeoff and that they observed the airplane level off during the initial climb and start a shallow right turn. The bank angle gradually increased from shallow to steep as the nose dropped and the airplane descended. Other witnesses observed that the airplane was in a steep dive just before it crashed into the rear of a house and caught fire.

 

“The airplane had flown seven parachute operations flights before the accident flight that day. After the seventh flight, the airplane needed refueling, but the quantity of fuel in the airport’s underground fuel storage tank was below the electric cutoff level. A pilot witness stated that “it was suggested that we could, by using a hand pump, get some more fuel from the airport tank.” The witness and others, including parachutists, manually pumped fuel into containers and carried them to the airplane to refuel it. A witness described that two jugs were used at first, and then another one was found in the hangar. A small amount of liquid that smelled like fuel was dumped from the jug before it was used in refueling the accident airplane.

 

“Examination of the airplane revealed that the postaccident fire destroyed the accessory sections of both engines. Examination of the airplane disclosed evidence that the right engine had been shut down and that the right propeller had been feathered; however, no pre-impact mechanical failure was found. A sample of excess fuel was obtained from the tank that was used to refuel the airplane, but no observable quantity of water or contamination was found.

 

“Investigators calculated that, for the accident flight, the airplane’s maximum gross weight was exceeded by 149.6 lbs and that the cg was 2.87 inches aft of the aft limit. Also, the airplane’s seats and cabin door had been removed for parachute operations; however, the Beech 65 was not on the FAA-approved eligibility list for operation with its door removed. The operator provided investigators a flight manual supplement (FMS) that appeared to authorize such door removal, but examination of the document revealed that it had been altered by an unknown person. An unaltered FAA-approved FMS contained a signed and dated eligibility block that listed model “A65”; however, the copy of the document provided by the operator had been altered to remove the “A,” thus, falsely giving the appearance that Beech “65” was eligible.

 

“In addition, the airplane’s maintenance records did not indicate when the cabin seats were removed, but an FAA Form 337 showed floor-mounted seatbelts installed on October 16, 1990. The form stated that the aircraft weight and balance had been recalculated and logbook records updated. No such weight and balance figures were found in the logbooks. Additional modifications were made in May and June 1995 and Form 337s were submitted. The Form 337s stated that the airplane’s weight and balance had been recalculated and the records updated; however, no entries were made in airframe logbook.

 

“The Safety Board determined that the probable cause of the accident was the pilot’s inadequate preflight preparation, his failure to ensure the airplane’s proper weight and balance, and his failure to obtain/maintain minimum control speed, which resulted in a loss of aircraft control after loss of power in one engine. A factor relating to the accident was the loss of power in the right engine for undetermined reasons.” (NTSB. Special Investigation Report on the Safety of Parachute Jump Operations (NTSB/SIR-08/01). Adopted 9-16-2008, pp. 38-39.)

 

Sources

 

Aircraft Crashes Record Office (Geneva, Switzerland). Virginia. Accessed 3/12/2009 at:  http://www.baaa-acro.com/Pays/Etats-Unis/Virginie.htm

 

National Transportation Safety Board. Special Investigation Report on the Safety of Parachute Jump Operations (NTSB/SIR-08/01). Washington, DC: NTSB, Adopted 9-16-2008, 64 pages. Accessed 2-22-2016 at: http://www.ntsb.gov/safety/safety-studies/Documents/SIR0801.pdf

 

 

—  13  Blanchard tally based on State breakouts below.

— >7  Northwest Florida Daily News. “Carolinas mop up mess left by Jerry.” 8-29-1995, 2A.[1]

—   6  NCDC, NOAA. Storm Data, Vol. 37, No. 8, Aug 1995, p. 10 (flash flooding deaths).

—   6  Pasch (NHC). Preliminary Report. Tropical Storm Jerry 22-28 August 1995. 1-31-1996.

 

Florida                        (3) (Indirect)

—   3  Blanchard tally of locality breakouts below.

—   2  NCDC, NOAA. Storm Data, Vol. 37, No. 8, Aug 1995, p. 28 of 143.[2]

–1  Collier County. Electrocution; male, 21.[3]

–1  Collier County. Disease. “A boy died of disease after playing in flood waters.”

—   2  Wikipedia. “Tropical Storm Jerry (1995). 5-16-2014 modification. (No citation)

— >1  Orlando vic., Bee Line Expy., Aug 24. Trucker crashes his rig through retaining wall.[4]

 

North Carolina          (4)

— 4  AP. “State mops up from flooding.” Gaston Gazette, Gastonia, NC. 8-29-1995, p. 1D.

— 4  Blanchard tally of breakouts below.

— 4  Drownings; flash flooding, Aug 27-28. NCDC. Storm Data, V37, N8, Aug 1995, p. 65.

Alamance County:

3  NC 49, Aug 27. Drowning; car into water; Bessie Jackson, 74; Eve Taylor, 42, son Blake, 14.[5]

1  NC 119, Aug 27, ~Mebane. Drowning; firefighter attempting to rescue car driver.[6]

— 3  Pasch (NHC). Preliminary Report. Tropical Storm Jerry 22-28 August 1995. 1-31-1996.

 

South Carolina          (6)

— 6  Blanchard tally based on breakouts below.

— 3  Greenville, Cherokee Counties. NCDC. Storm Data, V37, N8, Aug 1995, p. 92.

— 3  Pasch (NHC). Preliminary Report. Tropical Storm Jerry 22-28 August 1995. 1-31-1996.

County Breakout:

Cherokee County:       (1)

–1  Gaffney, Aug 27. Drowning; Bryant Eagle, 8, falls into flooded drainage ditch.[7]

Greenville County:     (2)

–1  Greenville (eastside), Aug 27. Drowning; wading after car stalled; young man.[8]

–1  Taylors, Aug 27. Drowning in creek; young man (Douty); rescue attempt.[9]

Lexington County:      (1)

–1  Lexington vicinity, Aug 27. Weather-related car accident. Male (Dallaire), 28.[10]

Spartanburg County:   (1)

–1  Bennett’s Bridge Rd., Abner Creek, Aug 27. Drowning; car into creek. Female, 20.[11]

County not noted:       (1)

–1  I-85, Aug 27. Weather-related car accident; Timothy Baughman, 28.[12]

 

Causes of Death:

Drownings:                (8)

–3  NC, Alamance Co., NC 49, Aug 27. Car into water; Bessie Jackson, 74; Eve Taylor, 42, son Blake, 14.

–1  NC, Alamance Co., NC 119 ~Mebane, Aug 27. Firefighter attempting to rescue car driver.

–1  SC, Cherokee Co., Gaffney, Aug 27. Drowning; boy, 8, falls into flooded drainage ditch.

–1  SC Greenville Co., Greenville (eastside), Aug 27. Wading after car stalled; young man.

–1  SC, Greenville Co., Taylors, creek, Aug 27. Drowning; young man (Douty); rescue attempt.

–1  SC, Spartanburg Co., Bennett’s Bridge Rd., Abner Creek, Aug 27. Car into creek. Female, 20.

 

Electrocution:            (1)

–1  FL. Collier County. Electrocution; male, 21.

 

Health-Related:         (1)

–1  FL. Collier County. Disease. “A boy died of disease after playing in flood waters.”

 

Traffic Accidents:     (3)

–1  FL. Orlando vic., Bee Line Expy., Aug 24. Trucker crashes his rig through retaining wall.

–1  SC. Lexington Co., Lexington vic., Aug 27. Weather-related car accident. Male (Dallaire), 28.

–1  SC. I-85, Aug 27. Weather-related car accident; Timothy Baughman, 28.

 

Narrative Information

 

Florida

 

NCDC: “[Aug] 23…Tropical Storm Jerry [Aug] 24…Flash Flood [Aug] 25-31 Flood. Tropical storm Jerry formed quickly in the northwest Bahamas, moved ashore in extreme northeast Palm Beach County, and tracked northwest across the peninsula to north of Tampa. Maximum winds at landfall were 35 knots with gusts to 43 knots measured at Lake Worth Inlet…The storm surge along the southeast Florida coast was minimal. In Palm Beach County rains of six to eight inches produced mostly minor flooding of roads and a few residences. The heavy rain flooded a boat which caused fuel to slosh out starting a fire that destroyed the $70 thousand vessel and did $10 thousand damage to a neighboring boat. Maximum rainfall amounts of 10 to 16 inches fell on Collier and Mainland Monroe counties, and adjacent sections of west Hendry and Glades counties, as well as Lee and Charlotte Counties. This rain, along with the subsequent sheet flow and additional heavy rains the last few days of August, produced extensive flooding of roadways and property that lasted through early September. Sand bags were used to protect property, and a number of people were evacuated to emergency shelters. Three hundred and forty residences in Collier County were damaged by flood waters, 12 of which became uninhabitable, with insured and uninsured property losses around $500 thousand; agricultural losses in Collier County were estimated at $1 million. Flood damages elsewhere in south Florida were estimated at $100 thousand.” (NCDC, NOAA. Storm Data, Vol. 37, No. 8, Aug 1995, p. 28 of 143.)

 

South Carolina

 

NCDC: “24-28 [Aug]…The remnants of Tropical Storm Jerry moved slowly eastward across the State and produced unusually heavy rains statewide with amounts mostly varying from eight to more than 12 inches in some locations. The heavy rain produced flash flooding in flash flood prone areas, general flooding on many rivers, broke dams, flooded streets, some homes and low-lying farmland. Statewide damage to roads and bridges was estimated by the S.C. Dept. of Transportation to be $4.5 million….There was coastal flooding at times of high tide along South Carolina beaches. The damage over the south coastal counties will likely approach $2 million.” (NOAA. Storm Data, Vol. 37, No. 8, Aug 1995, p. 90.)

 

Sources

 

Associated Press. “12 Inches of Rain Hit Carolinas – Woman Missing After Her Car is Swept Away,” Seattle Times, WA, 8-28-1995. Accessed 10-23-2014 at: http://community.seattletimes.nwsource.com/archive/?date=19950828&slug=2138659

 

Associated Press. “Jerry Takes Fatal Toll in S.C.” Aiken Standard, SC, 8-28-1995, pp. 1, 3. Accessed at: http://newspaperarchive.com/fullpagepdfviewer?img=106615646

 

Associated Press. Southern states mop up after flooding.” News Herald, Panama City, FL. 8-29-1995, 4A. At: http://newspaperarchive.com/fullpagepdfviewer?img=186470148&sterm=tropical

 

Associated Press. “State mops up from flooding,” Gaston Gazette, Gastonia, NC, 8-29-1995, D1. Accessed at: http://newspaperarchive.com/fullpagepdfviewer?img=184731964&sterm

 

National Climatic Data Center. Storm Data, Vol. 37, No. 8, Aug 1995. Asheville, NC: NCDC, NOAA. Accessed 10-24-2014 at: http://www1.ncdc.noaa.gov/pub/orders/IPS/IPS-278CB6AD-9844-4CAD-99FD-4885099DCEC5.pdf

 

Northwest Florida Daily News, Fort Walton Beach. “Carolinas mop up mess left by Jerry.” 8-29-1995, 2A. At: http://newspaperarchive.com/fullpagepdfviewer?img=181977380&sterm=tropical

 

Orlando Sentinel, FL (Sherri M. Owens and Dan Tracy). “Tropical Storm Jerry douses Florida. Supersoaker Jerry Slogs Through.” 8-25-1995. Accessed 10-23-2014 at: http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/1995-08-25/news/9508250171_1_rain-flooding-4-inches

 

Pasch, Richard J. Preliminary Report. Tropical Storm Jerry 22-28 August 1995. Miami, FL: National Hurricane Center, 1-31-1996. Accessed 10-22-2014: http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/1995jerry.html

 

South Carolina Legislature. “S 1011, Session 111 (1995-1996)…Concurrent Resolution…” Columbia, SC, 1-10-1996. Accessed 10-23-2014 at: http://www.scstatehouse.gov/query.php?search=DOC&searchtext=sweet%25&category=LEGISLATION&session=0&conid=6816888&result_pos=0&keyval=1111011&numrows=100

 

Wikipedia. “Tropical Storm Jerry (1995). 5-16-2014 modification. Accessed 10-23-2014 at: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tropical_Storm_Jerry_%281995%29

 

 

 

 

 

[1] Writes, in note concerning the Carolinas, that “at least seven people drowned.”

[2] “Two indirect deaths resulted from flooding in Collier County.”

[3] “A 21-year-old male was electrocuted when he plugged in a refrigerator while standing in flood waters.”

[4] “Rain-slick roads contributed to a fatal accident near the theme parks when a truck driver crashed his rig through a retaining wall on the Bee Line Expressway. The truck fell to the Interstate 4 exit ramp below, the Florida Highway Patrol said. The driver, Gary R. Rice, 49 of Riverside was killed instantly.” Orlando Sentinel, FL (Sherri M. Owens and Dan Tracy). “Tropical Storm Jerry douses Florida. Supersoaker Jerry Slogs Through.” 8-25-1995.

[5] “Three members of a Roxboro family died when their car went off N.C. 49 and into a creek in Alamance County. Bessie Jackson, 74; her daughter, Eve Taylor, 42; and Taylor’s 14-year-old son, Blake Taylor, left Winston-Salem about 4 p.m. Sunday, headed for their home in Roxboro…Troopers closed N.C. 49 about 5:45 p.m. ‘It must have happened five or ten minutes before we got there,’ [NC Highway Patrol Sgt.].” Associated Press. “State mops up from flooding,” Gaston Gazette, Gastonia, NC, 8-29-1995, D1.

[6] “Greg Hinson, a Mebane firefighter, was killed Sunday night while attempting to rescue a driver whose car was swept away by flood waters on N.C. 119 in Alamance County, according to the Highway Patrol. Raging flood waters dragged the car, Hinson and another rescue worker off the road. The driver and one rescue worker swam to a tree, but Hinson was pulled under water. He was pronounced dead at a nearby hospital.” Associated Press. “State mops up from flooding,” Gaston Gazette, Gastonia, NC, 8-29-1995, D1.

[7] “Donna Eagle was standing alongside when her 8-year-old son Bryant slipped and fell into a flooded drainage ditch and was sucked into a storm pipe. ‘We couldn’t grab him. It was strong. He didn’t have time to call out,’ she said Sunday night [Aug 27], hours after a rescue team pulled him from the water. He couldn’t be revived.” (Associated Press. “Jerry Takes Fatal Toll in S.C.” Aiken Standard, SC, 8-28-1995, p. 1). Also: “At Gaffney, S.C….8-year-old Bryant Eagle was skateboarding on a sidewalk when he fell into a flooded drainage ditch and was sucked into a storm pipe. His mother, Donna Eagle, said she tried to pull him out.” (AP. “12 Inches of Rain Hit Carolinas – Woman Missing After Her Car is Swept Away,” Seattle Times, WA, 8-28-1995.) Also: NCDC. Storm Data, 37/8, Aug 1995, p. 92.

[8] “A young man died in eastside Greenville while wading after his car stalled. He and three companions were sucked into a vortex and through a culvert. He was the last through and became lodged.” NCDC. Storm Data, 37/8, Aug 1995, p. 92.

[9] “…Christoffer Michael Douty, 18, of Taylors…jumped into a swollen Greenville County creek early Sunday morning to save a teen-age girl. She was sucked through a drain pipe and survived…” (Associated Press. “Jerry Takes Fatal Toll in S.C.” Aiken Standard, SC, 8-28-1995, p. 1.) NCDC also notes a flash flood death at p. 92 in Storm Data, Vol. 37, No. 8, Aug 1995, though the date is noted as Aug 26.

[10] “Authorities blamed two fatal car accidents on the weather….James W. Dallaire Jr., 28, of Lexington, died early Sunday when his car went off the road in Lexington County.” (Associated Press. “Jerry Takes Fatal Toll in S.C.” Aiken Standard, SC, 8-28-1995, p. 1.)

[11] “Authorities held out little hope to find Victoria Marie Cordle, 20, of Greer. She was swept away when a car plunged into a swollen creek. Three other passengers survived.” (Associated Press. “Jerry Takes Fatal Toll in S.C.” Aiken Standard, SC, 8-28-1995, p. 3.)  Also: “Whereas Victoria Marie Cordle of Spartanburg County drowned in a tragic accident in August, 1995, when the car in which she was riding plunged into a flooded Abner Creek in Spartanburg County upon hitting a dip in Bennett’s Bridge Road where water had swept over the roadway…” South Carolina Legislature. “S 1011, Session 111 (1995-1996)…Concurrent Resolution…” Columbia, SC, 1-10-96. Date is from: NCDC. Storm Data, Vol. 37, No. 8, Aug 1995, p. 92.

[12] “Authorities blamed two fatal car accidents on the weather. Timothy Baughman, 28, of Hendersonville, N.C., died early Sunday on I-85.”  (Associated Press. “Jerry Takes Fatal Toll in S.C.” Aiken Standard, SC, 8-28-1995, p. 1.) I-85 goes through Cherokee, Spartanburg, Greenville and Anderson counties in the west of the state.

— 10  Planecrashinfo.com. “1995. Accident Details. Atlantic SE Air, Carrollton GA, Aug 21.”[1]

—   9  NTSB. AAR. In-Flight Loss of Propeller Blade…Atlantic Southeast Airlines… 1996, p.5.[2]

 

 NTSB Executive Summary

 

“On August 21, 1995, about 1253 eastern daylight time, an Empresa Brasileira de Aeronautica S. A. (Embraer) EMB-120RT, N256AS, airplane operated by Atlantic Southeast Airlines Inc., (ASA) as ASE flight 529, experienced the loss of a propeller blade from the left engine propeller while climbing through 18,100 feet. The airplane then crashed during an emergency landing near Carrollton, Georgia, about 31 minutes after departing the Atlanta Hartsfield International Airport, Atlanta, Georgia.  The flight was a scheduled passenger flight from Atlanta to Gulfport, Mississippi, carrying 26 passengers and a crew of 3, operating according to instrument flight rules, under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 135. The flightcrew declared an emergency and initially attempted to return to Atlanta. The flightcrew then advised that they were unable to maintain altitude and were vectored by air traffic control toward the West Georgia Regional Airport, Carrollton, Georgia, for an emergency landing. The airplane continued its descent and was destroyed by ground impact forces and postcrash fire. The captain and four passengers sustained fatal injuries. Three other passengers died of injuries in the following 30 days. The first officer, the flight attendant, and 11 passengers sustained serious injuries, and the remaining 8 passengers sustained minor injuries.

 

“The National Transportation Safety Board determines that the probable cause of this accident was the in-flight fatigue fracture and separation of a propeller blade resulting in distortion of the left engine nacelle, causing excessive drag, loss of wing lift, and reduced directional control of the airplane.  The fracture was caused by a fatigue crack from multiple corrosion pits that were not discovered by Hamilton Standard because of inadequate and ineffective corporate inspection and repair techniques, training, documentation, and communications.

 

“Contributing to the accident was Hamilton Standard’s and the Federal Aviation Administration’s failure to require recurrent on-wing ultrasonic inspections for the affected propellers.

 

“Contributing to the severity of the accident was the overcast cloud ceiling at the accident site.

 

“Safety issues in the report focused on manufacturer engineering practices, propeller blade maintenance repair, propeller testing and inspection procedures, the relaying of emergency information by air traffic controllers, crew resource management training, and the design of crash axes carried in aircraft. Recommendations concerning these issues were made to the Federal Aviation Administration.” (NTSB. Aircraft Accident Report NTSB/AAR-96/06, pp. v-vi.)

 

Planecrashinfo.com: “Shortly after taking off from Atlanta on a flight to Gulfport, the aircraft experienced propeller separation in the left engine while climbing through FL 180. The aircraft hit trees, crashed into a field and burned while trying to make an emergency landing at West Georgia Regional Airport. The in-flight fatigue fracture and separation of a propeller blade resulting in distortion of the left engine nacelle, causing excessive drag, loss of wing lift, and reduced directional control of the airplane. The fracture was caused by a fatigue crack from multiple corrosion pits that were not discovered by Hamilton Standard because of inadequate and ineffective corporate inspection and repair techniques, training, documentation and communication. Two died of their injuries after the accident.” Nine of 26 passengers and one of the three crew-members died. (Planecrashinfo.com.)

 

Sources

 

National Transportation Safety  Board. Aircraft Accident Report. In-Flight Loss of Propeller Blade, Forced Landing, and Collision with Terrain, Atlantic Southeast Airlines, Inc., Flight 529, Embraer EMB-120RT, N256AS, Carrollton, Georgia, August 21, 1995 (NTSB/AAR-96/06). Wash, DC: NTSB, adopted Nov 26, 1995. At: http://www.ntsb.gov/Publictn/1996/AAR9606.pdf

 

Planecrashinfo.com. “1995. Accident Details. Atlantic SE Air, Carrollton GA, Aug 21, 1995.”  Accessed at: http://www.planecrashinfo.com/1995/1995-48.htm

 

 

[1] Not used for tally – appears clear there were nine fatalities. We include only to indicate we are aware of the source.

[2] Notes on p. 5, that 8 died at the time or within one month. Footnote 8 on page 5, adds: “One passenger died 4 months after the accident as a result of her injuries. She sustained third-degree burns over 50 percent of her body, as well as inhalation injuries.” Thus we note nine event fatalities in total.

–12  Blanchard tally based on State and locality breakouts below.

—  9  AP. “Hurricane Felix Brings Drownings…Sorrow.” Post-Standard, Syracuse NY, 8-19-95, A5.

—  8  Mayfield and Bevin. Preliminary Report. Hurricane Felix, 8-25 August, 1995. 1-2-1999 update.

 

New Jersey:                (5)

— 5  Drownings off coast. Mayfield/Bevin. Preliminary Report. Hurricane Felix, 8-25 August, 1995.

— 5  Drownings; rip currents/heavy surf. NCDC. Storm Data, V37, N8, Aug 1995, p. 57.[1]

–1  Atlantic City, Aug 19. Drowning; surfer, 37, knocked over, pinned underwater.[2]

–1  Monmouth County, off Deal, Aug 14. Drowning; surfer, 17.

–2  Monmouth Co., Pt. Pleasant Beach, Aug 17. Large wave sweeps two boys off beach.[3]

–1  Monmouth County, Avon, Aug 17. Drowning; male, 45.

 

North Carolina:         (5)

— 5  Drownings; Rip Currents.  NCDC. Storm Data, V37, N8, Aug 1995, p. 64.

–2  Brunswick County, Fort Fisher; Aug 13. Drownings; rip currents; swimmers.[4]

–1  Carteret County, Emerald Isle, Aug 15-17. Drowning; rip currents.

–2  Dare County, Rodanthe and Hags Head, Aug 13.

— 3  Drownings off coast. Mayfield/Bevin. Preliminary Report. Hurricane Felix, 8-25 August, 1995.

— 1  New Hanover Co., Aug. 13. Drowning. Male, 18, swam out to warn group of children.[5]

 

Rhode Island:            (1)

— 1  Middletown, Sakonnet River. Drowning; boat flips in large swells; male.[6] (Storm Data)

 

Virginia                      (1)

— 1  Virginia Beach, Aug 13. Drowning; severe rip current conditions; NY vacationer.[7]

 

Sources

 

Associated Press, Irvington, NJ. “Hurricane Felix Brings Drownings and Sorrow.” Post-Standard, Syracuse, NY, 8-19-1995, A5. Accessed 10-25-2014 at: http://newspaperarchive.com/fullpagepdfviewer?img=28120825&sterm=felix+drown

 

Associated Press. “Hurricane Felix expected to buffet Bermuda.” Laurel Leader-Call, MS. 8-14-1995, p. 8. At: http://newspaperarchive.com/fullpagepdfviewer?img=227589241&sterm=fort

 

Associated Press. “Hurricane Felix hits Bermuda.” Paris News, TX. 8-14-1995, p. 1. At: http://newspaperarchive.com/fullpagepdfviewer?img=110879958&sterm=felix+virginia+drown

 

Mayfield, Max and Jack Beven. Preliminary Report. Hurricane Felix, 8-25 August, 1995. Miami, FL: Tropical Prediction Center, National Hurricane Center, National Weather Service, NOAA, Department of Commerce. 11-19-1995, updated 1-2-1999. Accessed 10-25-2014 at: http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/1995felix.html

 

National Climatic Data Center. Storm Data, Vol. 37, No. 8, Aug 1995. Asheville, NC: NCDC, NOAA. Accessed 10-24-2014 at: http://www1.ncdc.noaa.gov/pub/orders/IPS/IPS-278CB6AD-9844-4CAD-99FD-4885099DCEC5.pdf

 

 

 

[1] “Swells associated with Hurricane Felix generated rough surf and rip currents for about one week along the New Jersey shore. Five drownings occurred.”

[2] Atlantic City is in Atlantic County. The surfer “was pinned underwater by a jetty…”

[3] “…13-year-old Jaleel [Abdul-Majeed] and 11-year-old Hafiz, were in knee-deep water at Point Pleasant Beach when they were knocked down by a strong current and swept away Thursday. Their father ran into the water after them but had to be rescued himself…`I told them not to go into the water, but they must have thought that meant don’t go swimming’.” (AP, Irvington, NJ. “Hurricane Felix Brings Drownings and Sorrow.” Post-Standard, Syracuse, NY, 8-19-1995, A5.)

[4] Not sure this is correctly listed in that the Fort Fisher we are aware of is in the neighboring county (to the north) of New Hanover. Newspapers reported two missing swimmers without noting locality.

[5] “Gregory James, 18, of Magnolia, N.C., drowned Sunday at Fort Fisher. He apparently swam out to warn a group of children about strong currents when he got caught in a rip-tide said New Hanover County Sheriff’s Department Lt. D.L. Smithey.” AP. “Hurricane Felix expected to buffet Bermuda.” Laurel Leader-Call, MS. 8-14-1995, p. 8. This listing and Brunswick County listing are highlighted in yellow in that it appears that one of the New Brunswick County deaths (noting Fort Fisher) should be for New Hanover County – would be double-counting.

[6] “15-21 [Aug]…High Waves. Hurricane Felix passed near Bermuda on a northwest track which approached the North Carolina coast before turning northeast from a hundred miles east of Cape Hatteras. The hurricane then passed well to the southeast of Cape Cod. Large ocean swells generated by the slow moving hurricane resulted in heavy surf and rip tides along the coast with an exposure to the open ocean. Dangerous conditions which began on Tuesday lasted through the following weekend. Officials closed many beaches to the public at various times for almost a week, as waves from six to ten feet high crashed ashore. A boater drowned in the Sakonnet River in Middletown when his boat flipped in the large swells.” NCDC. Storm Data, V37, N8, Aug 1995, p. 89.

[7] NCDC. Storm Data, V37, N8, Aug 1995, p. 106. The note, though, does not specifically attribute the “severe rip current conditions” to Felix. The next entry, however, for Aug 15-17, does state that “Some residents and visitors evacuated parts of Virginia Beach as a precaution ahead of Felix.” (pp. 106-107)  An AP report on Hurricane Felix on Aug 14 notes that “…in Virginia Beach, Va., the Coast Guard searched until dark Sunday [Aug 14] for a man last seen in the surf.” (AP. “Hurricane Felix hits Bermuda.” Paris News, TX. 8-14-1995, p. 1.)