ISIDORE INLAND OVER NORTHWEST YUCATAN AND WEAKENING

September 22, 2002 — At 11 p.m. EDT, the center of Hurricane Isidore was located near latitude 20.8 north, longitude 89.5 west or about 15 miles southeast of Merida, Mexico. Isidore has been drifting southwestward near 5 mph, and a gradual turn toward the west is expected bringing the center back over the Gulf of Mexico on Monday, according to the NOAA National Hurricane Center in Miami, Fla. (Click NOAA satellite image for larger view of Hurricane Isidore taken at 11:15 p.m. EDT on Sept. 22, 2002. Click here to see latest view. Please credit “NOAA.”)

Maximum sustained winds have decreased to near 105 mph with higher gusts. Additional weakening is likely while the center remains over land, but Isidore is expected to begin to strengthen when it moves back over water.

Hurricane force winds extend outward up to 50 miles from the center, and tropical storm force winds extend outward up to 230 miles. Estimated minimum central pressure is 950 mb, 28.05 inches. Very heavy rains are affecting the Yucatan peninsula and other portions of eastern Mexico. Rainfall amounts of 10 to 20 inches are likely.

Coastal storm surge flooding of 6 to 10 feet above normal tide levels, along with battering waves, are likely in areas of onshore winds over northwest Yucatan.

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.

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