Hurricane Earl came ashore near Panama City around 3 am Thursday morning with strong wind and copious amounts of rain.
Damage was minimal, as only three homes and no businesses were reported destroyed. Two boaters were reported missing and authorities later discovered their bodies, making Earl an official "Killer Storm". Up to twenty-three inches of rain fell around the Panama City area, making some roads impassible. The Panama City Mall resembled an island in the middle of a large lake, as the parking lot and surrounding roads were submerged.
Panama City beach, which is currently undergoing a multi-million dollar beach renourishment program, seems to have taken the biggest hit, with some beach erosion having taken place. Panama City Beach officials, however, state that the beaches are in good shape for having withstood a Category 2 Hurricane, and that it will be business as usual for the upcoming Labor Day weekend.
As Bay County and Panama City Clean up from the storm, our neighbors to the east were not so lucky. In neighboring Gulf and Franklin Counties, heavy damage was done to roads and homes, with many trees being felled, and highways closed.
"Surf's up, dudes!" The surf gets gnarly on Panama City Beach
--Story by WKGC's Lee Breeze