Hurricane Chasing History Part Three (2003-2005):

[ncforecaster89]

This particular thread will continue an examination into the storied history of hurricane chasing - focused on the period of 2003 - 2005.

Part One and Part Two of this journey into the past can be found at the following links:

1926 - 1994:

viewtopic.php?f=31&t=120778

1995 - 2002:

viewtopic.php?f=31&t=120784

As can be ascertained from the preceding threads, there was an ever-increasing interest in the field of hurricane chasing through the culmination of the 2002 NATL basin season. Even so, it was the subsequent three-year period that really saw a dramatic proliferation in the number of chasers seeking out their first tropical cyclone intercept.

[ncforecaster89]

Hurricane Claudette (2003):

Hurricane Claudette was an intensifying system as it crossed the central Texas coastline, near Port O'Connor, during the late morning hours of 7/15/2003. Officially, it made landfall as an 80 kt (90 mph) high-end category-one hurricane, but as is noted in the post-season TCR, it's possible it achieved Cat 2 intensity as it crossed Matagorda Island, TX.

As of this writing, I can only verify that one veteran chaser was on-hand to document its landfall.

Victoria, TX:

Here is the link to Mark Sudduth's written account of his hurricane Claudette chase:

http://hurricanetrack.com/claudette.html

TWC Coverage of Hurricane Claudette (2003):

https://youtu.be/z2fUV1MSE5Y

https://youtu.be/9yHvI8VfMRM

https://youtu.be/RnPk1l0hmPU

https://youtu.be/xMX60Do3JJ0

https://youtu.be/UXa3wwxiG9M

[ncforecaster89]

Hurricane Isabel (2003):

The second U.S. landfall occurred on 9/18/2003, when the eye of a large Cat 2 hurricane barreled ashore just E of Cedar Island, NC. At the time of landfall, around 1 pm EDT, hurricane Isabel had a maximum sustained wind (MSW) estimated at 90 kt (105 mph) and a minimum central pressure of 957 mb.

Although still a powerful hurricane at landfall in NC, Isabel had weakened significantly from its peak strength seven days earlier. On 9/11/2003, it had MSWs of 145 kt (165 mph), attended by a lowest central pressure of 915 mb...when it was about 500 nautical miles ENE of the northern Leeward Islands. After weakening to a category-four hurricane shortly thereafter, Isabel would regain Cat 5 intensity (160 mph/933 mb) for a third and final time during the early afternoon hours of 9/14/2003...exactly four days prior to crossing the North Carolina Outer Banks. Even at 72 hours prior to landfall, the NHC was forecasting a borderline Cat 3/4 hurricane.

Increased vertical wind shear (VWS) and an eyewall replacement cycle (ERC) combined to reduce Isabel to a strong Cat 2 hurricane at landfall. Even so, the ERC broadened the size of the wind field, causing it to ultimately deliver a wide swath of hurricane-force conditions to NE North Carolina and SE Virginia.

Elizabeth City, NC:

Richard Horodner and a chase partner (Brad Riley?) documented the NE eyewall in Elizabeth City, NC. His video captured a significant storm surge flooding the town, along with peak wind gusts upwards of 105 mph.

https://youtu.be/hn0FyXxxweQ

Nags Head/Kitty Hawk/Kill Devil Hills, NC:

Geoff Mackley, Jim Edds, and Scott McPartland teamed up to chronicle the NE eyewall on the Outer Banks between Nags Head and Kitty Hawk, NC. They too witnessed a major storm surge and wind gusts exceeding 100 mph.

Geoff Mackley's video:

https://youtu.be/-81OINq-pnA

https://youtu.be/Ag1oDzwPZBA

Scott McPartland's video:

https://youtu.be/xbgEaOhOljw

Washington to Windsor, NC:

Dan Robinson filmed his very first hurricane interception, inland, between Washington and Windsor, NC. He and his chase partner were successful in penetrating the eye, as Isabel moved through the area.

https://youtu.be/ncEVVN7R-Uk

Atlantic Beach, NC:

Mark Sudduth, Jesse Bass, and John Van Pelt covered the effects of Isabel's western eyewall in Atlantic Beach, NC. Here, they observed hurricane-force conditions...but just missed getting into the eye of the storm.

https://youtu.be/RIv7vS-oBS8

Mark's written account:

http://hurricanetrack.com/isabel2003.html

Morehead City, NC:

Jason Foster had his first encounter inside the eyewall of a hurricane in Morehead City, NC.

https://youtu.be/p4mYj4UNTZY

Davis to Beaufort, NC:

https://youtu.be/-xFnT8aONEY

At the current time, I have no idea who shot the following footage, but they did a good job providing the viewer with the experience of being in the western eyewall as Isabel blasted the areas near Cape Lookout, NC.

I, too, documented the western eyewall in Beaufort, NC. As the eye was coming ashore, I drove to the easternmost part of the town (Lenoxville Point) in order to get into a portion of Isabel's eye...as it just skirted the area. As Mark Sudduth mentioned in his post-storm journal, there was a pronounced difference between the western and eastern eyewalls, as is typical for a TC in the northern hemisphere.

Buxton/Cape Hatteras, NC:

Jim Reed was in Buxton and the Cape Hatteras area for this particular hurricane adventure. Wind gusts exceeding 100 mph and a significant storm surge occurred on the island where he documented the event.

https://www.jimreedphoto.com/?q=Hurricane+isabel

New Bern, NC:

George Kourounis and two chase partners intercepted the eye of Isabel in New Bern, NC. There, they filmed major storm surge flooding and hurricane-force winds.

Written account:

http://www.stormchaser.ca/Hurricanes/Isabel/Isabel.html

List of other known veteran chasers who intercepted hurricane Isabel:

Jim Leonard (Hobucken, NC)
Warren Faidley (Atlantic Beach, NC)
Greg Norstrom (Oriental, NC)
Joshua Wurman (Atlantic/Sea Level, NC)
Mike Theiss (Atlantic Beach, NC)

Note: I'm pretty sure Jeff Piotrowski also chased Isabel and penetrated the eye, but I can't find verification at this time.

TWC Coverage:

Here are a collection of video clips showing select TWC coverage of hurricane Isabel. They begin with Isabel 1400 miles east of the Leeward Islands and carry all the way through to its North Carolina landfall, more than ten days later.

As stated previously, these segments were recorded by myself via VCR at the time, and subsequently sent to the YouTube channel of dj0287 to upload many years, thereafter. I'm missing an eight hour portion of coverage as I had left to chronicle Isabel on the east side of Beaufort, NC early on the 18th...after recording clip #6.

https://youtu.be/wdRbed7ZUjg

https://youtu.be/ffFfZVRAK4M

https://youtu.be/jKY5e6u8vv8 (Cat 5)

https://youtu.be/ow_fH0P4wV4

https://youtu.be/dIAacac3uRc

https://youtu.be/vN4iy21AZzw (3.5 hours before landfall)

https://youtu.be/e-gGHw6xULM (4.5 hours post landfall)

https://youtu.be/YE1jq_QqvhU

[ncforecaster89]

Alex (2004):

The 2004 North Atlantic basin's hurricane season got off to a fairly late start. Through July 30, there had been zero tropical storms. Things changed abruptly when a tropical depression developed about 175 miles to the east of Jacksonville, FL, around 2 pm EDT on 7/31/2004. Initially, this system struggled with strong vertical wind shear and dry air entrainment...as it slowly drifted and meandered offshore of the southeast coastline. However, improving atmospheric dynamics allowed the tropical cyclone to become tropical storm "Alex" around 2 pm on August 1, as it began its approach towards the NC shoreline.

Alex gradually strengthened and achieved hurricane intensity by 2 am on 8/3/2004, while centered about 65 nautical miles SSE of Cape Fear. Having turned to the NE due to an approaching upper-level trough, the orientation between the trough and Alex helped to further decrease the VWS, and in combination with the very warm waters of the Gulf Stream...Alex was able to become a formidable Cat 2 hurricane as its eye passed only 9 nm SE of Cape Hatteras, NC - at 2 pm EDT on 8/3/2004.

Hurricane Alex brought wind gusts exceeding 100 mph and a storm surge of 6' to the Outer Banks from Cape Hatteras down the coastline to just south of Ocracoke Island. For Ocracoke, it was their worst storm since 1985 (Gloria).

Hatteras Island, NC:

Mark Sudduth and Jesse Bass filmed the peak effects of Alex's impact on the U.S. shoreline, from Hatteras Island, NC. Mark even measured wind gusts of 105 mph from the rooftop anemometer, that was attached to his chase vehicle.

Mark's video:

https://youtu.be/5PNvPpKdgtg

Jesse's video:

https://youtu.be/7HG00mKVHv4

Other chaser's:

Tony Brite: I documented hurricane Alex from the northeastern-most portion of Hwy. 12...between Atlantic, NC and Cedar Island, NC. The western extent of the eyewall just brushed my intercept location with peak wind gusts reaching a velocity of 85 mph. Being unfamiliar with the area, I found myself caught up in the storm surge, as 2' of the sound quickly covered the exposed hwy 12. One day, I'll actually get around to posting my own video of this particular event.

There were no other veteran chasers who intercepted Alex.

[chaser1]

This particular thread will continue an examination into the storied history of hurricane chasing - focused on the period of 2003 - 2005.

Part One and Part Two of this journey into the past can be found at the following links:

1926 - 1994:

viewtopic.php?f=31&t=120778

1995 - 2002:

viewtopic.php?f=31&t=120784

As can be ascertained from the preceding threads, there was an ever-increasing interest in the field of hurricane chasing through the culmination of the 2002 NATL basin season. Even so, it was the subsequent three-year period that really saw a dramatic proliferation in the number of chasers seeking out their first tropical cyclone intercept.

I'm curious about a rumor that I heard on a different tropical weather forum late last year. Has anyone else heard about some form of Hurricane Chaser cinematic movie project such as Twister that was tentavely in the works for a late 2020 release?

[HurricaneEnzo]

Alex (2004):

The 2004 North Atlantic basin's hurricane season got off to a fairly late start. Through July 30, there had been zero tropical storms. Things changed abruptly when a tropical depression developed about 175 miles to the east of Jacksonville, FL, around 2 pm EDT on 7/31/2004. Initially, this system struggled with strong vertical wind shear and dry air entrainment...as it slowly drifted and meandered offshore of the southeast coastline. However, improving atmospheric dynamics allowed the tropical cyclone to become tropical storm "Alex" around 2 pm on August 1, as it began its approach towards the NC shoreline.

Alex gradually strengthened and achieved hurricane intensity by 2 am on 8/3/2004, while centered about 65 nautical miles SSE of Cape Fear. Having turned to the NE due to an approaching upper-level trough, the orientation between the trough and Alex helped to further decrease the VWS, and in combination with the very warm waters of the Gulf Stream...Alex was able to become a formidable Cat 2 hurricane as its eye passed only 9 nm SE of Cape Hatteras, NC - at 2 pm EDT on 8/3/2004.

Hurricane Alex brought wind gusts exceeding 100 mph and a storm surge of 6' to the Outer Banks from Cape Hatteras down the coastline to just south of Ocracoke Island. For Ocracoke, it was their worst storm since 1985 (Gloria).

Hatteras Island, NC:

Mark Sudduth and Jesse Bass filmed the peak effects of Alex's impact on the U.S. shoreline, from Hatteras Island, NC. Mark even measured wind gusts of 105 mph from the rooftop anemometer, that was attached to his chase vehicle.

Mark's video:

https://youtu.be/5PNvPpKdgtg

Jesse's video:

https://youtu.be/7HG00mKVHv4

Other chaser's:

Tony Brite: I documented hurricane Alex from the northeastern-most portion of Hwy. 12...between Atlantic, NC and Cedar Island, NC. The western extent of the eyewall just brushed my intercept location with peak wind gusts reaching a velocity of 85 mph. Being unfamiliar with the area, I found myself caught up in the storm surge, as 2' of the sound quickly covered the exposed hwy 12. One day, I'll actually get around to posting my own video of this particular event.

There were no other veteran chasers who intercepted Alex.

I remember Alex well from here in downeast Carteret County. Never made landfall here but was intensifying just off the coast and we still got some really strong winds with it. Much stronger than I was expecting. Also, one of the few storms I remember in my lifetime where peak conditions were actually happening during the day so I got a good view of the power of the Hurricane. Damage was pretty minimal for this particular area but as you said the Outer Banks got it pretty bad.

[ncforecaster89]

This particular thread will continue an examination into the storied history of hurricane chasing - focused on the period of 2003 - 2005.

Part One and Part Two of this journey into the past can be found at the following links:

1926 - 1994:

viewtopic.php?f=31&t=120778

1995 - 2002:

viewtopic.php?f=31&t=120784

As can be ascertained from the preceding threads, there was an ever-increasing interest in the field of hurricane chasing through the culmination of the 2002 NATL basin season. Even so, it was the subsequent three-year period that really saw a dramatic proliferation in the number of chasers seeking out their first tropical cyclone intercept.

I'm curious about a rumor that I heard on a different tropical weather forum late last year. Has anyone else heard about some form of Hurricane Chaser cinematic movie project such as Twister that was tentavely in the works for a late 2020 release?

Hi Chaser1! That is some very interesting news. Unfortunately, I'm unaware of this prospective production, myself. Thanks for sharing the info, though. Hopefully, someone better informed will be able to respond.

[ncforecaster89]

Alex (2004):

The 2004 North Atlantic basin's hurricane season got off to a fairly late start. Through July 30, there had been zero tropical storms. Things changed abruptly when a tropical depression developed about 175 miles to the east of Jacksonville, FL, around 2 pm EDT on 7/31/2004. Initially, this system struggled with strong vertical wind shear and dry air entrainment...as it slowly drifted and meandered offshore of the southeast coastline. However, improving atmospheric dynamics allowed the tropical cyclone to become tropical storm "Alex" around 2 pm on August 1, as it began its approach towards the NC shoreline.

Alex gradually strengthened and achieved hurricane intensity by 2 am on 8/3/2004, while centered about 65 nautical miles SSE of Cape Fear. Having turned to the NE due to an approaching upper-level trough, the orientation between the trough and Alex helped to further decrease the VWS, and in combination with the very warm waters of the Gulf Stream...Alex was able to become a formidable Cat 2 hurricane as its eye passed only 9 nm SE of Cape Hatteras, NC - at 2 pm EDT on 8/3/2004.

Hurricane Alex brought wind gusts exceeding 100 mph and a storm surge of 6' to the Outer Banks from Cape Hatteras down the coastline to just south of Ocracoke Island. For Ocracoke, it was their worst storm since 1985 (Gloria).

Hatteras Island, NC:

Mark Sudduth and Jesse Bass filmed the peak effects of Alex's impact on the U.S. shoreline, from Hatteras Island, NC. Mark even measured wind gusts of 105 mph from the rooftop anemometer, that was attached to his chase vehicle.

Mark's video:

https://youtu.be/5PNvPpKdgtg

Jesse's video:

https://youtu.be/7HG00mKVHv4

Other chaser's:

Tony Brite: I documented hurricane Alex from the northeastern-most portion of Hwy. 12...between Atlantic, NC and Cedar Island, NC. The western extent of the eyewall just brushed my intercept location with peak wind gusts reaching a velocity of 85 mph. Being unfamiliar with the area, I found myself caught up in the storm surge, as 2' of the sound quickly covered the exposed hwy 12. One day, I'll actually get around to posting my own video of this particular event.

There were no other veteran chasers who intercepted Alex.

I remember Alex well from here in downeast Carteret County. Never made landfall here but was intensifying just off the coast and we still got some really strong winds with it. Much stronger than I was expecting. Also, one of the few storms I remember in my lifetime where peak conditions were actually happening during the day so I got a good view of the power of the Hurricane. Damage was pretty minimal for this particular area but as you said the Outer Banks got it pretty bad.

Hi Enzo! Thanks so much for taking the time to share your own personal experience with hurricane Alex!!

[HurricaneEnzo]

Alex (2004):

The 2004 North Atlantic basin's hurricane season got off to a fairly late start. Through July 30, there had been zero tropical storms. Things changed abruptly when a tropical depression developed about 175 miles to the east of Jacksonville, FL, around 2 pm EDT on 7/31/2004. Initially, this system struggled with strong vertical wind shear and dry air entrainment...as it slowly drifted and meandered offshore of the southeast coastline. However, improving atmospheric dynamics allowed the tropical cyclone to become tropical storm "Alex" around 2 pm on August 1, as it began its approach towards the NC shoreline.

Alex gradually strengthened and achieved hurricane intensity by 2 am on 8/3/2004, while centered about 65 nautical miles SSE of Cape Fear. Having turned to the NE due to an approaching upper-level trough, the orientation between the trough and Alex helped to further decrease the VWS, and in combination with the very warm waters of the Gulf Stream...Alex was able to become a formidable Cat 2 hurricane as its eye passed only 9 nm SE of Cape Hatteras, NC - at 2 pm EDT on 8/3/2004.

Hurricane Alex brought wind gusts exceeding 100 mph and a storm surge of 6' to the Outer Banks from Cape Hatteras down the coastline to just south of Ocracoke Island. For Ocracoke, it was their worst storm since 1985 (Gloria).

Hatteras Island, NC:

Mark Sudduth and Jesse Bass filmed the peak effects of Alex's impact on the U.S. shoreline, from Hatteras Island, NC. Mark even measured wind gusts of 105 mph from the rooftop anemometer, that was attached to his chase vehicle.

Mark's video:

https://youtu.be/5PNvPpKdgtg

Jesse's video:

https://youtu.be/7HG00mKVHv4

Other chaser's:

Tony Brite: I documented hurricane Alex from the northeastern-most portion of Hwy. 12...between Atlantic, NC and Cedar Island, NC. The western extent of the eyewall just brushed my intercept location with peak wind gusts reaching a velocity of 85 mph. Being unfamiliar with the area, I found myself caught up in the storm surge, as 2' of the sound quickly covered the exposed hwy 12. One day, I'll actually get around to posting my own video of this particular event.

There were no other veteran chasers who intercepted Alex.

I remember Alex well from here in downeast Carteret County. Never made landfall here but was intensifying just off the coast and we still got some really strong winds with it. Much stronger than I was expecting. Also, one of the few storms I remember in my lifetime where peak conditions were actually happening during the day so I got a good view of the power of the Hurricane. Damage was pretty minimal for this particular area but as you said the Outer Banks got it pretty bad.

Hi Enzo! Thanks so much for taking the time to share your own personal experience with hurricane Alex!!

No problem. Actually didn't even notice that last blurb about Tony Brite. I was in Atlantic NC for the Hurricane as that is where I was living at the time!

[ncforecaster89]

I remember Alex well from here in downeast Carteret County. Never made landfall here but was intensifying just off the coast and we still got some really strong winds with it. Much stronger than I was expecting. Also, one of the few storms I remember in my lifetime where peak conditions were actually happening during the day so I got a good view of the power of the Hurricane. Damage was pretty minimal for this particular area but as you said the Outer Banks got it pretty bad.

Hi Enzo! Thanks so much for taking the time to share your own personal experience with hurricane Alex!!

No problem. Actually didn't even notice that last blurb about Tony Brite. I was in Atlantic NC for the Hurricane as that is where I was living at the time!

Wow, what an incredible coincidence!

The outermost edge of the western eyewall brushed our area and delivered hurricane-force wind gusts and flooded hwy 12... where I found myself stranded on the bridge heading over to Cedar Island.

As you noted, it provided much stronger winds than either of us were expecting, with the eye passing roughly 28 nm to our E.

[ncforecaster89]

It has been awhile since I've updated this thread, mainly because work and family obligations have precluded me from doing so. That said, and for the conservation of time, I thought I'd go ahead and begin providing a listing of individual/chaser hurricane eyewall/eye experiences.

As someone who spends an inordinate amount of time conducting research into hurricane history...I consider this project to simply be an interesting subset of that subject matter. Hopefully others may find it somewhat fascinating, as well.

Being that I'm also a part of this record, I would be remiss if I didn't state that the forthcoming figures do not equate to the suggestion that one individual may be considered more important than another, but only that some have simply experienced more hurricane events; nothing more and nothing less should be taken from them.

This compilation will be focused solely on U.S. mainland hurricane events. Given that there were a few high-end tropical storms (such as Dennis 1999, Barry 2001, Gabrielle 2001, Ernesto 2006, Hanna 2008, and Gordon 2018) that may have actually been minimal hurricanes at landfall...I have also included them in the tabulation. I should also point out that there have been instances where the eyewall of a major hurricane (MH) struck one's intercept location, but the eye remained offshore and the MH winds didn't impact the area or cross the coastline at that intensity (such as Diana 1984, Bonnie 1998, Matthew 2016).


Jim Leonard:

Hurricane Eyewalls/Hurricane Eyes/Major Hurricanes: 39/28/16

First Experience: 1950 (Infant)
First Chase: 1972 (Agnes)
Strongest Hurricanes: Charley (4/2004), Hugo (4/1989), Frederic (4/1979), King (4/1950), $Diana (4/1984)

Hurricanes: King 1950*, Cleo 1964*, Agnes 1972*, Carmen 1974, David 1979, Frederic 1979*, Allen 1980, Alicia 1983*, Diana 1984*, Elena 1985*, Gloria 1985, Kate 1985, Bonnie 1986*, Floyd 1987, Hugo 1989*, Erin 1995*, Opal 1995*, Bertha 1996*, Fran 1996*, Danny 1997*, Bonnie 1998*, Georges 1998*, Floyd 1999*, Irene 1999*, #Barry 2001*, #Gabrielle 2001*, Lili 2002, Isabel 2003*, Charley 2004*, Frances 2004*, Ivan 2004, Jeanne 2004*, Dennis 2005, Katrina 2005*, Rita 2005,
Wilma 2005*, and Gustav 2008*.

Source: http://cyclonejim.com/hurricane_experience.htm
YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/cyclonejimcom

Notes: Jim sadly passed away in November of 2014. There are five chase listings on his webpage for which I can't confirm a specific intercept location, making it impossible to determine if he experienced the eyewall and/or eye. They are hurricanes Eloise 1975, Danny 1985, Juan 1985, Florence 1988, and Bret 1999.
Consequently, it is assumed he may have intercepted the eyewall for 3/5 of those five, and have credited three "eyewall" and two "eye" experiences, respectively. Will revise stats, accordingly, if more accurate information is obtained in the future.

Richard Horodner:

Hurricane Eyewalls/Hurricane Eyes/Major Hurricanes: 38/27/14

First Experience: 1948 (Infant)
First Chase: 1966 (Inez)
Strongest Hurricanes: Andrew (5/1992), Michael (5/2018), Frederic (4/1979), King (4/1950), $Diana (4/1984)

Hurricanes: Oct 1948*, King 1950*, Cleo 1964*, Frederic 1979*, Alicia 1983*, Diana 1984*, Danny 1985*, Elena 1985*, Gloria 1985*, Kate 1985*, Bonnie 1986*, Charley 1986*, Floyd 1987*, Andrew 1992, Emily 1993, Erin 1995*, Bertha 1996*, Fran 1996*, Bonnie 1998*, Earl 1998*, Georges 1998*, #Dennis 1999, Floyd 1999, #Barry 2001*, Lili 2002, Isabel 2003, Frances 2004*, Ivan 2004, Jeanne 2004, Katrina 2005, Rita 2005, Wilma 2005*, Ike 2008*, Irene 2011*, and Michael 2018.

Source: https://www.canebeard.com/hurricane_chaser.html
YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/canebeard

Notes: As is the case with Jim, there are five chase listings on Richard's webpage for which I can't confirm a specific intercept location. They are hurricanes Carmen 1974, Eloise 1975, Opal 1995, Irene 1999, and Dennis 2005. Thus, I'm also crediting three "eyewall" and two "eye" experiences, respectively, at the current time.

* "Eye" experiences
- Major hurricanes designated in bold
# Borderline TS/H
$ Diana's Cat 4 NW eyewall brushed both Jim's and Richard's intercept locations, but didn't even deliver winds of MH intensity due to small RMW on 9/11/1984. Both he and Richard would get into a portion of the eye of a much weaker Cat 2 Diana 30 hours, thereafter.

[ncforecaster89]

Tony Brite:

Hurricane Eyewalls/Hurricane Eyes/Major Hurricanes: 37/30/13

First Experience: 1984 (teenager)
First Chase: 1989 (Hugo)
Strongest Hurricanes: Michael (5/2018), Laura (4/2020), Harvey (4/2017), $Diana (4/1984)

Hurricanes: Diana 1984, Charley 1986, Bertha 1996*, Fran 1996*, Bonnie 1998*, #Dennis 1999*, Floyd 1999*, Irene 1999, Isabel 2003*, Alex 2004, Charley 2004*, Gaston 2004*, Jeanne 2004*, Dennis 2005*, Katrina 2005*, Ophelia 2005, Wilma 2005*, #Ernesto 2006*, #Hanna 2008*, Ike 2008*, Irene 2011*, Sandy 2012, Arthur 2014*, Hermine 2016*, Matthew 2016*, Harvey 2017*, Irma 2017*, Nate 2017*, #Gordon 2018*, Florence 2018*, Michael 2018, Dorian 2019*, Isaias 2020*, Laura 2020*, Sally 2020*, Delta 2020*, and Zeta 2020*.

#Borderline TS/H

Source: My own hurricane chase log.

Notes:
The Outer-portion of hurricane Sandy's eyewall moved over Long Beach Island, NJ while still a TC...but had become a PTC by the time the center passed directly over the area - thus no eye intercept.
$ Diana was a Cat 4 hurricane when its NW eyewall just brushed my location on 9/11/1984, but its RMW was so small that it didn't even deliver MH wind gusts. It weakened to a minimal Cat 2 by the time the eyewall hit my area a second time (30 hours later) on 9/13/1984.

Mark Sudduth:

Hurricane Eyewalls/Hurricane Eyes/Major Hurricanes: 36/26/10

First Experience: 1996 (Bertha)
First Chase: 1989 (Hugo)
Strongest Hurricanes: Michael (5/2018), Charley (4/2004)

Hurricanes: Bertha 1996, Fran 1996*, Bonnie 1998*, #Dennis 1999*, Floyd 1999*, #Barry 2001, Isabel 2003*, Alex 2004, Charley 2004*, Frances 2004*, Gaston 2004*, Ivan 2004*, Jeanne 2004, Katrina 2005*, Ophelia 2005, Rita 2005*, Wilma 2005*, #Ernesto 2006*, Gustav 2008, #Hanna 2008, Ike 2008*, Irene 2011*, Sandy 2012, Arthur 2014*, Hermine 2016*, Matthew 2016, Irma 2017*, Nate 2017*, #Gordon 2018*, Florence 2018*, Michael 2018, Dorian 2019*, Laura 2020*, Sally 2020*, Delta 2020*, and Zeta 2020*.
#Borderline TS/H

Source:
http://premium.hurricanetrack.com/hirt.html
YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/hurricanetrack


Chris Collura:

Hurricane Eyewalls/Hurricane Eyes/Major Hurricanes:
28/23/13

First Experience: 1987
First Chase: 1987 (Floyd)
Strongest Hurricanes: Andrew (5/1992), Michael (5/2018), Charley (4/2004), Laura (4/2020), Harvey (4/2017)

Hurricanes: Floyd 1987*, Andrew 1992, Erin 1995*, Irene 1999*, #Gabrielle 2001*, Lili 2002, Charley 2004*, Frances 2004*, Ivan 2004*, Jeanne 2004*, Dennis 2005, Katrina 2005*, Rita 2005, Wilma 2005*, Gustav 2008*, Ike 2008*, Irene 2011*, Issac 2012*, Arthur 2014*, Hermine 2016*, Matthew 2016, Harvey 2017*, Irma 2017*, Nate 2017*, Florence 2018*, Michael 2018*, Laura 2020*, and Delta 2020*.

#Borderline TS/H

Source: 
http://www.sky-chaser.com/stormc.htm#TROPICAL
YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/cdcollura

* "Eye" experiences
- Major hurricanes designated in bold

[ncforecaster89]

Jim Edds:

Hurricane Eyewalls/Hurricane Eyes/Major Hurricanes: 28/16/14

First Experience: 1975 (Eloise)
First Chase: 1998 (Georges)
Strongest Hurricanes: Michael (5/2018), Charley (4/2004), Laura (4/2020), Irma (4/2017), and Frederic (4/1979).

Hurricanes: Eloise 1975, Frederic1979, Elena 1985, Georges 1998*, Irene 1999*, #Gabrielle 2001, #Barry 2001, Lili 2002, Isabel 2003*, Charley 2004*, Frances 2004*, Ivan 2004, Jeanne 2004*, Dennis 2005, Katrina 2005, Rita 2005, Wilma 2005, Gustav 2008*, Ike 2008*, Arthur 2014*, Hermine 2016*, Harvey 2017*, Irma 2017*, Nate 2017, Michael 2018, Laura 2020*, Sally 2020*, and Delta 2020*.

#Borderline TS/H

Source:
https://www.extremestorms.com/credits.htm
YouTube channel:
https://www.youtube.com/c/JimEdds

Notes: There are a total of 3 systems for which I'm unable to determine where Jim intercepted the eyewall, and correspondingly, whether he got into the eye. They're Barry 2001, Gabrielle 2001, and Lili 2002. Consequently, I'm simply going to assume he was in 2 of those three...at the current time.

Jeff Gammons:

Hurricane Eyewalls/Hurricane Eyes/Major Hurricanes: 25/16/11

First Experience: 1995 (Erin)
First Chase: 1995 (Erin)
Strongest Hurricanes: Michael (5/2018), Charley (4/2004), Laura (4/2020), and Harvey (4/2017).

Hurricanes: Erin 1995*, Georges 1998, #Dennis 1999, Irene 1999*, #Gabrielle 2001*, Lili 2002, Charley 2004*, Frances 2004*, Jeanne 2004*, Dennis 2005, Katrina 2005*, Rita 2005, Wilma 2005, Arthur 2014*, Hermine 2016, Matthew 2016, Harvey 2017*, Irma 2017*, Nate 2017, #Gordon 2018*, Florence 2018*, Michael 2018*, Laura 2020, Sally 2020*, and Delta 2020*.

#Borderline TS/H

Source:
http://stormvisuals.com/stock-footage/

YouTube channel:
https://m.youtube.com/user/stormvideographer/videos

[ncforecaster89]

Mike Theiss:

Hurricane Eyewalls/Hurricane Eyes/Major Hurricanes: 26/16/13

First Experience: 1987 (Floyd)
First Chase: 2000 (Gordon)
Strongest Hurricanes: Michael (5/2018), Charley (4/2004), Laura (4/2020), Irma (4/2017) and Harvey (4/2017).

Hurricanes: Floyd 1987, Georges 1998, Irene 1999, #Barry 2001*, #Gabrielle 2001*, Lili 2002, Isabel 2003*, Charley 2004*, Frances 2004, Ivan 2004, Jeanne 2004*, Dennis 2005, Katrina 2005*, Rita 2005*, Wilma 2005*, Issac 2012*, Hermine 2016*, Harvey 2017*, Irma 2017, Nate 2017*, Florence 2018*, and Michael 2018, Laura 2020", Sally 2020*, Delta 2020*, and Zeta 2020*.
#Borderline TS/H

Source:
http://www.mthurricane.com/Biography.htm

YouTube channel:
https://m.youtube.com/user/UltimateChase

* "Eye" experiences
- Major hurricanes designated in bold

Michael Laca:

Hurricane Eyewalls/Hurricane Eyes/Major Hurricanes: 23/14/9

First Experience: 1985 (Elena)
First Chase: 1984 (Diana)
Strongest Hurricanes: Andrew (5/1992)

Hurricanes: Elena 1985*, Gloria 1985, Kate 1985, Bonnie 1986*, Floyd 1987*, Florence 1988, Andrew 1992 , Emily 1993, Erin 1995*, Opal 1995*, Fran 1996*, Georges 1998, Irene 1999*, Frances 2004*, Jeanne 2004*, Katrina 2005*, Rita 2005, Wilma 2005*, Gustav 2008*, Irene 2011*, Issac 2012, Matthew 2016, and Irma 2017*

#Borderline TS/H

Source:
http://www.tropmet.com/about_michael.htm
YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/vmax135

* "Eye" experiences
- Major hurricanes designated in bold