A Gulf Coast Nightmare!

This page is dedicated to one of the most devastating hurricanes ever to hit the Central Gulf Coast. The year was 1979, and the hurricane was known as "Frederic". Frederic took an almost direct bearing on the historic city of Mobile, Alabama and struck during the night of September 12.

Frederic's storm surge removed sand dunes and many homes from this stretch of coast west of Gulf Shores.

Beach front structures in Gulf Shores were severely damaged or totally removed by high waters and wave action.

Wind gusts of 145 mph were recorded on the Dauphin Island Bridge. The bridge was so severely damaged that a new high rise span was built.

Severely damaged and isolated by Frederic, the Dauphin Island Bridge awaits dismantling.

Sustained winds of 100 mph caused extensive roof damage to this motel at Interstate 65 and Government Boulevard in west Mobile.

The first major hurricane to strike the Mobile area since 1926 caused extensive tree damage. In this view, pine trees took a heavy toll on vehicles in the Emergency Management Agency parking lot.

This aerial view clearly shows the displacement of sand from Dauphin Island northward into the Mississippi Sound by Frederic's storm surge.