My name is Jim Lynch. In Oct. of 1995, my wife (Madeline) and I, decided to spend a few weeks at our condo in Panama City Beach, Fl. The weather was beautiful. Oh, there was a small tropical storm, named
"Opal" located in the lower Gulf, just off the coast of Mexico. Everyone was convinced it would move west into Mexico, and dissipate. So, with that in mind, on the 3rd of Oct., we planned a trip, by tourbus, to Biloxi to do a little gambling at the Grand Casino.

All went well,and while gambling, we also watched the television, because the jury came back with the "Not Guilty" verdict in the O.J. Trial.

While all this was happening, something else was taking place, that was going to alter peoples lives for sometime to come. A cold front was dropping down out of Canada, and
"Opal" was very attracted to it. In no time at all she turned north and grew in speed and intensity.

By the time our bus returned to Panama City Beach that night,
"Opal" had grown into a category "4" hurricane, and was heading straight for our area. Madeline and I knew, if things did not improve dramatically, we would have to be ready to leave.

The weather report at 5am (Oct. 4th.) confirmed the fact that
"Opal" had now reached category "5" status. It wasn't due to reach the area for about 12 hrs, but we knew we had better head north before the official evacuation orders were given, because at that time the traffic on the highways would be bumper to bumper. We put a few things in the car and headed out.

Not knowing what to expect, we decided to fill the gas tank, just to be on the safe side.(turned out to be a good move, because with electric power out all through the area the next day, you could not get gas)

We traveled north as far as Dothan, Al. and pulled into a rest-stop. They had a hurricane checkpoint group there and they told us, they were setting up a shelter station at the high school and we were welcome to stay there. That is where we rode out the storm, and met some wonderful people from all walks of life.

The storm came through the Dothan area around 11pm.,and it wasn't long before the power went off. Lucky for us the Army Reserve group had set up generators, and we had some lights to see our way around the shelter.

The reports coming in from the beach area, said that "Opal" had slowed down to a category "4" storm with a storm surge of about 14 to 16ft. We did not know what to expect when we returned the beach area.

The morning after "Opal" passed through, the weather was beautiful, but you could see the effects of the storm,with downed trees, etc. and this was miles from the coast.

When people tried to get back to their homes in the beach areas they were stopped by the police, and told it would be at least another 24hrs. before anyone would be allowed to go back.

When we were able to return, the damage awaiting us was unbelievable.

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