In recognition of the start of hurricane season 2015, we’re revisiting some of the major storms that have affected the Gulf region over the past 90 years. Today, we take a look at Hurricane Opal.

Hurricane Opal

Landfall: Oct. 4, 1995

Level: Category 4

U.S. Deaths: 9 *

Highest wind level: 144 mph

Opal caused 50 deaths in Mexico and Guatemala before shooting up to Pensacola Beach, Fla. A storm surge up to 15 feet high caused most of the economic damage in the U.S. Peak rainfall in Alabama reached 19.4 inches near Brewton. Wind gusts of over 90 mph were reported at Fort Rucker and Maxwell Air Force Base.

*figure may vary

SOURCE: National Hurricane Center, hurricanescience.org, Wikipedia.org