Hurricane Fran
Hurricane Fran was a hurricane during the 1996 Atlantic hurricane season. This storm caused over $3 billion in damage. It killed 20-30 people. Fran struck North Carolina as a strong Category 3 hurricane with winds of 115 miles per hour (185 km/h). The name Fran was later retired and replaced by Fay for the 2002 Atlantic season.
| 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 mbar (hPa); 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 | |
Storm History
Hurricane Fran started from a tropical wave that moved off the western coast of Africa, entering the Atlantic Ocean, on August 22. The low pressure area became a tropical depression on August 23. Little changed for several days. By August 26, the storm had been disorganized.
On August 27, the storm grew into a tropical storm and was named Fran. On August 29, the storm intensified into a category 1 hurricane. The interaction with Hurricane Edouard led to weakening and the storm took a northwestward direction. When Edouard was gone, the storm grew into a category 1 hurricane again.
Fran grew in early September. By September 3, it the winds were at 90 miles per hour (140 km/h). The system started to develop an eye. By September 5, winds were at 120 mph (195 km/h) and its pressure was 946 mbar.
On September 6, the storm hit North Carolina with winds of 115 miles per hour (185 km/h). Once on land, the storm rapidly weakened. It moved through Virginia. It died on September 8.
Preparations
A Hurricane Watch was issued in the Lesser Antilles in late August. As Fran moved away, the watch was ended.
