Hurricane Earl was an atypical, disorganized, and short-lived Category 2 hurricane that caused moderate damage throughout the Southeast United States. It formed out of a poorly organized tropical disturbance over the southwest Gulf of Mexico late on August 31, 1998. Tracking towards the northeast, the storm quickly intensified into a hurricane on September 2 and made landfall early the next day near Panama City, Florida. Rapidly tracking towards Atlantic Canada, the extratropical remnants of Earl significantly intensified before passing over Newfoundland on September 6. The remnants were absorbed by former Hurricane Danielle two days later. Category 2 hurricane: peak winds of 100 mph (85 knots), lowest pressure 964 mb. August 31 – September 8, 1998. Landfall: September 3 at 80 mph, 30.1°N 85.7°W. Accumulated cyclone energy: 3.9. Wiki link Track: NOAA National Hurricane Center, HURDAT2 best track AL051998 (public domain).