Hurricane Fran
| Hurricane | |
|---|---|
 Hurricane Fran at peak intensity on September 4, nearing landfall | |
| Formed | August 23, 1996 |
| Dissipated | September 8, 1996 |
| Highest winds | 1-minute sustained: 195 km/h (120 mph) |
| Lowest pressure | 946 hPa (mbar); 27.94 inHg |
| Fatalities | 22 direct, 5 indirect |
| Damage | $3.2 billion (1996 USD) |
| Areas affected | South Carolina, North Carolina, Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Toronto |
| Part of the 1996 Atlantic hurricane season | |
Hurricane Fran was a devastating hurricane during the 1996 Atlantic hurricane season. This storm caused over $3 billion in damage and took 20-30 lives. Fran struck North Carolina as a strong Category 3 hurricane with winds of 115 mph. The name Fran was later retired and replaced by Fay for the 2002 Atlantic season.
Storm History
Hurricane Fran originated from a tropical wave that move off the western coast of Africa, entering the Atlantic Ocean, on August 22. The low pressure area intensified at a tropical depression on August 23. Little development has been occured on several days, and by August 26, the storm had been disorganized.
On August 27, the storm intensified into a tropical storm and named Fran. On August 29 the storm intensified into a category 1 hurricane. Interaction with Hurricane Edouard led to weakening but re-intensifed into a category 1 hurricane again.
Intensification was took place on early September and by September 3 Fran had attained winds of 90 mph (150 km/h). The system will begin to develop an eye and by September 5, Fran attained peak intensity with winds of 120 mph (195 km/h) and its pressure was 946 mbar.
On September 6, the storm made landfall in North Carolina with winds of 115 mph. Once in land, the storm rapidly weaken, and the storm moved through Virginia and the storm dissipated on September 8.
