HANNA SHOULD BEGIN THE LONG EXPECTED NORTHWARD TURN

September 13, 2002 — At 11 a.m. EDT, the center of Tropical Storm Hanna was located near latitude 27.7 north, longitude 89.4 west or about 105 miles south-southwest of the mouth of the Mississippi River. Hanna has been drifting toward the northwest during the past few hours but is expected to move toward the north near 8 mph later Friday. On this track, the center of Hanna will be near the coast within the warning area Saturday between midnight and sunrise. However, tropical storm force winds could reach portions of the warning area earlier Friday night, according to the NOAA National Hurricane Center in Miami, Fla. (Click NOAA satellite image for larger view of Tropical Storm Hanna taken at 12:15 a.m. EDT on Sept. 13, 2002. Click here to see latest view. Please credit “NOAA.”)

Maximum sustained winds remain near 45 mph, with higher gusts. Some strengthening is possible, but Hanna is not expected to reach hurricane intensity prior to landfall. Tropical storm force winds extend outward up to 115 miles to the east of the center. The latest minimum central pressure reported by an Air Force Plane was 1003 mb, 29.62 inches.

Rainfall accumulations of 4 to 8 inches, with isolated higher amounts, can be expected near the path of Hanna. Isolated tornadoes are possible mainly within the eastern portion of the circulation. Coastal storm surge flooding of 2 to 4 feet above normal tide levels, along with battering waves, can be expected within the warning area. (Click NOAA satellite image for larger view of Tropical Storm Hanna taken at 12:15 p.m. EDT on Sept. 13, 2002.)

A tropical storm warning is in effect from Grand Isle, La., to Apalachicola, Fla. A tropical storm warning means that tropical storm conditions are expected within the warning area within the next 24 hours. A tropical storm watch remains in effect from east of Apalachicola to the Suwannee River, Fla.

For storm information specific to your area, please monitor products issued by NOAA National Weather Service local forecast offices.

Click NOAA tracking map for larger view.

Relevant Web Sites
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El Niño Expected to Impact Atlantic Hurricane Season, NOAA Reports

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Media Contact:
Frank Lepore, NOAA's National Hurricane Center, (305) 229-4404