1995 was a historic year in Meteorology terms. One of the reasons 1995 which was 20 years ago was historic was because it started the second active phase in the Atlantic Basin. ASO went from negative to positive. The first active phase was from 1925-1969. Since 1995 we have been in an active phase.

The 1995 Atlantic Hurricane Season featured 5 destructive hurricanes. Hurricane Erin was the first of 5 destructive hurricanes from that season.

On July 30th a tropical low developed near the Bahamas this low was very disorganized but the National Hurricane Center warned this one would really need to be watched for tropical development. By the night of July 30th the low was no showing a closing circulation and stations showed winds at the surface were getting close to tropical storm strength.

On July 31st the National Hurricane Center named it Tropical Storm Erin. Models started to show Erin being steered into Florida as a potential hurricane. The National Hurricane Center in their advisories pointed out how Erin could indeed become a hurricane due to very warm sea surface temperatures. But there was some wind shear that at first kept Erin from really ramping up.

On August 1st the wind shear lessened and Satellite data showed a developing eye wall. The storm had strengthened throughout the day going from 60 mph to 70 mph. Just before Midnight on August 1st Tropical Storm Erin became hurricane Erin with winds 75 mph. Due to high pressure to the North Erin started to be steered into Florida. The next day on August 2nd Erin made landfall near Vero Beach as an 85 mph hurricane making Erin a Category 1 hurricane.

Due to going over land the next day Erin emerged over the Gulf as a 65 mph tropical storm. The National Hurricane Center warned that Erin would likely strengthen due to very warm water and potentially make landfall in the Florida Panhandle. Later on August 3rd Erin regained hurricane strength.

On August the 4th Erin reached its peak as a 100 mph category 2 hurricane just before landfall in the Florida Panhandle near Pensacola. Erin produced damaging winds 90-100 mph and a storm surge. Once Inland Erin produced flooding in Alabama and Mississippi as Erin was blocked moving northward due to High Pressure over the Appalachia Mountains.

Overall, Erin produced 7 confirmed tornadoes. 16 people died due to mostly the storm surge. Overall, Erin caused $800 million in damages. While it was not the most destructive storm in 1995 it was the first significant hurricane to make landfall. Erin though was a sign of what was to come mainly in September and October.