
West Alabama Friday Briefing
Good morning West Alabama!! It is Friday, October 4, 2024. TGIF!
On this date in 1995, one of the most destructive hurricanes to ever strike the Gulf Coast, Category 4 Hurricane Opel, blasted ashore along the Central Gulf Coast with 150mph winds and a 10+ foot storm surge.
Opel was the fifteenth named storm, ninth hurricane and strongest tropical cyclone of the unusually active 1995 hurricane season. Opel was the fourth most powerful tropical system to hit the Gulf Coast in recorded weather history. She only trailed Carla in 1961, Betsey in 1965 and Camille in 1969 and was just ahead of Katrina in 2005.
Opel, like the recent Hurricane Helene, proved to be more destructive as it moved inland and left damage as far north as Michigan and didn't fully dissipate until it reached the Canadian border.
69 people died, including two in Alabama, who were killed when trees downed by a tornado spawned by Opel fell on their mobile home in Gadsden. More than 3/4ths of the state (2.6 million customers) lost power.
Opel, like Helene are classic examples of powerful tropical cyclones that can form after hurricane season's peak on September 10th and how far inland they can wreak havoc. Insured property damage was estimated to be $2.1 billion in Alabama alone.
The peak rainfall from Opal in Alabama was 19.42 inches 3 miles east-northeast of Brewton. Lesser amounts include 7.48 inches in Mobile and 6.1 inches in Anniston. The highest gust reported was a 95-mph gust at what was then Fort Rucker and a secondary one at Maxwell Air Force Base with a gust of 90 mph. The highest sustained winds reported from Opal was 75 mph at Fort Rucker.
Locally, the University of Alabama Quadrangle lost many of its oldest and most beautiful trees.
The following spring, the National Hurricane center retired the name of Opal due to the deaths and destruction the hurricane caused, and it will never again be used in the Atlantic basin.
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The weather this weekend will be a lot more benign with only a few showers possible during the day but stooping before high school football tonight.
The Forecast:

Topping the News:
Read More: Police Officer’s Killer Calls Tuscaloosa Jail Inhumane After 5 Years With No Trial
The planned Sports Illustrated Resort just off Rice Mine Road is getting some pushback from residents of the area concerned about traffic congestion and proposed condos and time-share units.
District 3 Councilman Norman Crow has scheduled an informational meeting to address concerns and rumors next week. The meeting is set for Tuesday from 4:45pm until 5:30pm in the Jasmine Room at Indian Hills Country Club.
The SI resort will consist of a ten-story hotel, timeshares, condos, plus a retail space all geared to attract the attention of college sports fans everywhere.
The public hearing date is set for October 15th.
ALDOT's plan to demolish a critical access road on McFarland Boulevard during their project to build a new Woolsey Finnell bridge over the Black Warrior River is raising concern at Tuscaloosa City Hall.
Of major concern is ALDOT's plan to permanently close and demolish one end of Julia Tutwiler Drive where it links McFarland Boulevard to a variety of heavily used facilities, including the Tuscaloosa Magnet Schools, Baumhower's Victory Grille, a Hampton Inn, a church and PopStroke Golf.
Read More: Tuscaloosa to Formally Ask ALDOT to Keep Doomed Access Road Open
West Alabama residents wish the area could have received more rain during the recent passage of Hurricane Helene. The Current U.S. Drought Monitor release yesterday reveals West Alabama is still covered by Moderate Drought of Abnormally dry conditions.
The dockworkers at Mobile and other ports along the Gulf and east Coast have suspended their strike until January 10th to allegedly allow negotiations on a new contract. Critics, though, claim the suspension is in order to not damage the economy and hurt Democrat chances in the November general election. The workers, who average a salary of $160,000 annually, want an 85% salary hike and protection from further automation.
The UA soccer team is one of the best in country, but not just on the pitch. With this being National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, the team visited and offered encouragement to patients at the DCH Manderson Cancer Center. The Tide hosts Kentucky tonight and cancer survivors will accompany the team on the field during the national anthem.
West Alabama Democrat Rep. Terri Sewell took to the floor of the U.S. House to remind that the rate of fatal breast cancer incidents can be reduced through early detection. Sewell also pointed out that black women are 40% more likely to die from breast cancer than white women due to lack of early detection.
Some Businesses, pedestrians and bike riders who use the Greensboro Avenue bridge over I20/59 are voicing concern over its safety with narrow raised sidewalks on either side of the business bridge. They claim it decades old bridge is unsafe.
Tuscaloosa City 7th District Councilman Cassius Lanier has heard the concerns.
Tuscaloosa's DCH Health System has named a new member to its leadership team who will ensure its three hospitals stay equipped with the resources they need to treat patients.
In a press release, DCH said that two-time Auburn University alumna Rachel Anderson will begin her role as the System's Vice President of Supply Chain on October 14th.
Read More: DCH Health System Hires New Vice President of Supply Chain
Despite rumors, the Tuscaloosa County School System reports there were no online threats made to any school in the system Thursday.
The system had issued an alert stating that an online group known for making swatting (hoax) threats nationwide might make such calls locally yesterday.
Read More: TCSS On “Heightened Awareness” After News of Possible Threat
Topping Sports News:
#1 ranked Alabama is a 22 ½ point favorite over Vanderbilt in Nashville tomorrow afternoon. Kickoff is set for 4:15 p.m. CDT on Saturday at FirstBank Stadium.
One of the key matchups to watch is the play of Vanderbilt’s dual-threat quarterback Diego Pavia against the Tide defense. Pavia is a dual threat quarterback of the type that has troubled Tide defenders in the past.
Week 6 Alabama High School Football Schedule:
- Marengo hosts Leroy
- J-F Shields visits Sweetwater
- Holy Spirit welcomes Pickens Academy
- Francis Marion travels to Linden
- University Charter is home to R.C. Hatch
- Berry hosts Lynn
- South Lamar gets a visit from Sumiton Christian
- Aliceville is on the road at Greene County
- Sulligent visits Lamar County
- Tuscaloosa Academy travels to Vincent
- Greensboro is home to Sumter Central
- Hale County travels to Southside-Selma
- Gordo is at Oakman
- Holt welcomes Fairfield
- American Christian visits Pleasant Grove
- Bibb County is on the road at West Blocton
- Fayette County travels to Cordova
- Northside is home to Sipsey Valley
- Demopolis visits Shelby County
- Paul Bryant travels to Bessemer City
- Brookwood entertains Calera
- Central is at McAdory
- Northridge is home to Hueytown
- Tuscaloosa County hosts cross-county rival Hillcrest
Click TuscaloosaThread.com for the latest West Alabama news, sports and weather updates. Better yet, download the app.
Have a great weekend and ROLL TIDE!!
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