Hurricane Erin Whips Pensacola, First Hurricane Hit Since 1926
Whipping Winds, Heavy Rains Lash Florida
Category 2 Hurricane Makes Landfall, Reintensifies Offshore
Hurricane Erin, a Category 2 hurricane with 100 mph winds, made landfall near Pensacola, Florida, on Wednesday evening.
The storm reintensified on a track that swung back to northwestward at about 12 mph.
Erin weakened to a tropical storm with 50-knot winds during that period but remained well-organized.
It was the first hurricane to hit Pensacola, the most populated city in the western Panhandle, since 1926.
Damaging Winds and Power Outages
Erin's strong winds caused widespread damage across the Pensacola area.
Trees were uprooted, power lines were downed, and homes and businesses were damaged.
More than 100,000 people were without power at the height of the storm.
Heavy Rains and Flooding
In addition to the strong winds, Erin brought heavy rains to the Pensacola area.
The rains caused flooding in some areas, including downtown Pensacola.
The National Weather Service issued a flash flood warning for the Pensacola area.
Response and Recovery
Emergency crews are working to restore power and clear debris from the Pensacola area.
The American Red Cross has set up shelters for those who have been displaced by the storm.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is also responding to the storm.
Comments