diff --git a/src/pages/StormIntelPage.jsx b/src/pages/StormIntelPage.jsx
index 4ba9478..5e3c63d 100644
--- a/src/pages/StormIntelPage.jsx
+++ b/src/pages/StormIntelPage.jsx
@@ -928,6 +928,15 @@ const StormIntelPage = () => {
     const { events: allEvents }                  = useStormEvents({ dateRange: '36m' });
     const { forecast, loading: forecastLoading, alertDay, hasStormAlert } = useStormForecast();
 
+    // Auto-select the most recent event on first load (no drawer, no fly)
+    const hasAutoSelected = useRef(false);
+    useEffect(() => {
+        if (!hasAutoSelected.current && events.length > 0) {
+            hasAutoSelected.current = true;
+            setSelectedStorm(events[0]);
+        }
+    }, [events]);
+
     const handleTogglePin = useCallback((id) => {
         setPinnedIds(prev => {
             const next = new Set(prev);