ISIDORE SKIRTING THE NORTHERN YUCATAN COAST AS A STRONG
CATEGORY THREE HURRICANE

September 22, 2002 — At 11 a.m. EDT, the center of major Hurricane Isidore was located near latitude 21.8 north, longitude 88.5 west or about 15 miles north of the northern coast of the Yucatan peninsula. This is also about 85 miles east-northeast of Progresso, Mexico. Isidore is moving toward the west-southwest near 8 mph, and this general motion is expected to continue for the next 24 hours. On this track, the center will come very close to the north coast of the Yucatan peninsula later Sunday and may move onshore bringing the core of the hurricane and the strongest winds with it, according to the NOAA National Hurricane Center in Miami, Fla. (Click NOAA satellite image for larger view of Hurricane Isidore taken at 12:15 p.m. EDT on Sept. 22, 2002. Click here to see latest view. Please credit “NOAA.”)

Maximum sustained winds are near 125 mph with higher gusts. Some slight strengthening is possible during the next 24 hours. If the center remains offshore, Isidore could become a Category 4 hurricane as measured on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale later Sunday.

Hurricane force winds extend outward up to 50 miles from the center, and tropical storm force winds extend outward up to 200 miles. The estimated minimum central pressure based on the latest measurements from a reconnaissance aircraft is 934 mb, 27.58 inches.

Some heavy rain is still possible over portions of western Cuba and the Isle of Youth as strong squalls move across this area. Very heavy rain is also affecting the northern portion of the Yucatan peninsula, and rainfall amounts of 10 to 20 inches are likely.

Coastal storm surge flooding along the north coast of the Yucatan peninsula is expected to reach 2 to 5 feet above normal tide levels, along with battering waves. Storm surge flooding could increase to 8 to 12 feet above normal—if and where—the center moves onshore.

A hurricane warning remains in effect along the Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean coasts of the Yucatan peninsula from Campeche north and eastward to Tulum, including the island of Cozumel. The government of Cuba discontinued all warnings for Cuba as of 11 a.m. EDT.

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

Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale

NOAA's River Forecast Centers

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