ISIDORE GATHERING STRENGTH IN THE NORTHWESTERN CARIBBEAN

September 18, 2002 — At 5 p.m. EDT, the center of Tropical Storm Isidore was relocated near latitude 19.0 north, longitude 78.8 west or about 165 miles east of Grand Cayman. The center of Isidore has reformed north of its previous position. Isidore is moving toward the northwest near 9 mph, and this motion is expected to continue for the next 24 hours. Even though the center of Isidore will be moving away from Jamaica Wednesday evening, conditions there will be slow to improve since most of the heavy rains and winds are located to the east of the center, according to the NOAA National Hurricane Center in Miami, Fla. (Click NOAA satellite image for larger view of Tropical Storm Isidore taken at 4:45 p.m. EDT on Sept. 18, 2002. Click here to see latest view. Please credit “NOAA.”)

Maximum sustained winds are near 60 mph with higher gusts. Continued strengthening is likely, and Isidore is expected to be close to hurricane strength within 24 hours. Tropical storm force winds extend outward up to 70 miles from the center. The minimum central pressure measured by a hurricane hunter aircraft was 999 mb, 29.50 inches.

Heavy rains are expected to continue over Jamaica during the next 24 hours, and these rains could cause life-threatening flash floods and mud slides. Heavy rains are now moving into the Cayman Islands.

A tropical storm warning remains in effect for Jamaica and the Cayman Islands. A hurricane watch remains in effect for western Cuba from the provinces of Villa Clara and Cienfuegos westward, including the Isle of Youth. The hurricane watch for Cuba will likely need to be upgraded to a hurricane warning Wednesday evening.

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
NOAA's National Hurricane Center — Get the latest advisories here

NOAA's Atlantic Hurricanes Database — 150 Years of Atlantic Hurricanes

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