Hurricane Marilyn was the thirteenth named storm of the unsually busy 1995 Atlantic hurricane season, following closely on the heels of Hurricane Luis.

Hurricane Marilyn developed off of South America and headed northeast through the Lesser Antilles. Marilyn intensified quickly, becoming a tropical storm on September 13, 1995 and a hurricane on September 14 north of Barbados.

Marilyn was reported to be a strong Category 2 hurricane when the hurricane passed over the island of St. Thomas and the rest of the United States Virgin Islands where it caused tremendous damage. Marilyn then passed Culebra and eastern Puerto Rico and became a Category 3 hurricane before being ripped apart by shear and losing much of its strength. Marilyn then tracked due north and out into the open Atlantic.

A Hurricane Hunter reconnaissance flight reported hail, which is unusual for tropical cyclones. After heading north past Bermuda, Marilyn weakened and became extratropical on September 22.

Marilyn is directly responsible for eight deaths, most due to drowning on boats or offshore. Ten thousand people were left homeless on St. Thomas, most buildings sustained some damage, and estimated damages to the U.S. islands were set at $1.5 billion.

Marilyn was retired in 1996 and was replaced with Michelle in 2001.

See Also

• list of notable tropical cyclones
• List of Atlantic hurricane seasons

External links

• NOAA information on Hurricane Marilyn