Hurricane Oscar (Hitman)

Hurricane Oscar was a destructive, deadly, and costly, Category 5 hurricane that devastated the United States Gulf Coast in late September and early October 2018. On September 17, a tropical wave emerged off the coast of Mali. On September 20, the disturbance strengthened into a depression. Then, on September 24, the depression strengthened into Tropical Storm Oscar.

While staying at the same strength for 3 days, Oscar rapidly intensified into a Category 4 with 135 mph winds. Oscar struck the Caribbean at Category 4 strength, causing an estimated $60 billion to the islands, and 5,821 were killed, along with over 29,000 injuries. Slowing speeds, Oscar regained strength, striking Cuba at a Category 4 with 150 mph winds and a barometric pressure of 929 mbar.

Slowing speed, Oscar entered the Gulf of Mexico on September 27 with a forward speed of 6 mph. Oscar then re-intensified into a Category 5 with 165 mph wind and a barometric pressure of 923 mbar. The U.S. states of Florida, Alabama, and Georgia declared states of emergencies before Oscar regained strength, packing 180 mph winds and a barometric pressure 919 mbar.

20 miles from the Florida coastline, Oscar gained a little strength, still packing the same wind speeds, but had a barometric pressure of 916 mbar. Hitting Panama City, Atlanta, Greensville, and Charlotte, high winds, heavy rainfall, and large storm surges. Heading out into the Atlantic, Oscar, a tropical storm, regained hurricane status before slamming into Richmond as a Category 2 before moving inland and dissipating over Lake Ontario. 1,234 were killed in the U.S. and over 50,000 were injured.

In all, 7,055 were killed, over 79,000 more were injured, and $157 billion (2018 USD) in damages was done. Due to record flooding and damage, Oscar was retired from use and replaced with Olivia for the 2024 season.