Tracking towards the northeast, the storm quickly intensified into a hurricane on September 2 and made landfall early the next day near Panama City, Florida.

Rapidly tracking towards Atlantic Canada, the extratropical remnants of Earl significantly intensified before passing over Newfoundland on September 6.

Moderate beach erosion occurred along the coasts of Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and Florida as waves reached 20 ft (6.1 m).

By August 23, a weak area of low pressure developed within the wave and well-developed convective activity was present as it tracked through the Lesser Antilles.

[2] In post-season analysis, it was determined that the system intensified into Tropical Storm Earl while located about 575 miles (925 km) south-southwest of New Orleans.

[1] By September 1, the storm began to consolidate, with reconnaissance flights finding an elongated center and surface winds of 60 mph (97 km/h).

[1] As Earl neared landfall, cloud tops significantly warmed, indicating weakening, and the overall structure of the storm became less organized.

[6] Around 0600 UTC (1:00 am EDT) on September 3, Hurricane Earl made landfall near Panama City, Florida with winds of 80 mph (130 km/h).

[1] As Earl tracked towards the northeastern Gulf of Mexico on September 1, a hurricane warning was issued for coastal areas between Pascagoula, Mississippi and Cameron, Louisiana.

Continuing uncertainty in the track of Earl prompted the issuance of a hurricane watch and tropical storm warning for areas between Pascagoula, Mississippi and Grand Isle, Louisiana, including the city of New Orleans.

[11] A mandatory evacuation was issued for 20,000 residents in Leon County as well as all barrier islands along the Florida coast due to the risk of substantial flooding.

[12] State parks along the Florida Panhandle were also closed and highways became congested with thousands of residents and tourists evacuating the barrier islands.

[11] A state of emergency was declared for portions of southeast Louisiana as tides in relation to the storm were forecast to reach 7 to 10 ft (2.1 to 3.0 m).

[15] The second tornado, rated F1, caused moderate damage to three homes and two buildings that were under-construction along its 3 mi (4.8 km) path.

[21] High waves, estimated at 16 to 20 ft (4.9 to 6.1 m) caused a boat to capsize off the coast of Panama City, drowning both occupants.

[22] Upon making landfall in Florida early on September 3, Earl produced a storm surge up to 12 ft (3.7 m) in the Big Bend, inundating coastal communities.

Florida officials temporarily shut down numerous major roadways, including State Road 77 due to high water.

At Port St. Joe, Earl's storm surge inundated 14 businesses and caused a water main break in the Lighthouse Utilities facility.

In Franklin County, storm surge damaged 136 homes and 15 businesses and led to a temporary closure of the St. George Causeway.

[10] Rainfall was relatively light, peaking around 2 in (51 mm) in Morgan City, as only the outer bands of Earl affected the state.

However, losses due to the large-scale evacuation of oil and natural gas rigs was estimated to be several million dollars.

[10] Earl had limited impacts in Mississippi, with only areas along the immediate coast recording tropical storm-force wind gusts.

Despite the center of Earl passing close to the state, winds were only recorded up to 40 mph (64 km/h), resulting in scattered power outages and downed trees.

[29] Ahead of Earl, an onshore flow related to the storm produced 6 to 8 ft (1.8 to 2.4 m) swells along the Georgia coast, causing significant damage to marinas.

Widespread rainfall, generally amounting between 2 and 4 in (51 and 102 mm), fell in areas previously saturated by Hurricane Bonnie, this triggered minor flooding along roads.

[38] Still recovering from Hurricane Bonnie, the remnants of Earl produced widespread rain over North Carolina, triggering flooding.

[43] The initial tropical disturbance passed through the Yucatán Peninsula on August 29 and inflow bands to the south of Earl continued rainfall across southeast Mexico until early September 2.

[23] The extratropical remnants of Earl produced strong winds and heavy rains throughout Newfoundland and Nova Scotia on September 6.

[24] In October United States Department of Transportation provided $2 million in funds to repair damaged and destroyed roads in Florida.

[48] The United States Military allocated $2.2 million to repair damage from Hurricane Earl to training academies and naval ports.