ISIDORE MOVING NORTHWARD WITH LITTLE CHANGE IN STRENGTH

September 24, 2002 — At 5 p.m. EDT, the center of Tropical Storm Isidore was located near latitude 22.4 north, longitude 89.8 west or about 100 miles north of Merida, Mexico. This is also about 465 miles south of the Louisiana coast. Isidore is wobbling about a general northward motion near 7 mph, and this motion is expected to continue during the next 24 hours, according to the NOAA National Hurricane Center in Miami, Fla. (Click NOAA satellite image for larger view of Tropical Storm Isidore taken at 4:15 p.m. EDT on Sept. 24, 2002. Click here to see latest view. Please credit “NOAA.”)

Maximum sustained winds are near 60 mph with higher gusts. Some strengthening is forecast during the next 24 hours. Isidore is a large storm with the circulation covering much of the Gulf of Mexico. Tropical storm force winds extend outward up to 345 miles mainly to the north of the center. NOAA buoys 42001 and 42002 in the central and western Gulf of Mexico have both reported 40 mph sustained winds during the past few hours.

The latest minimum central pressure reported from an Air Force Reserve hurricane hunter aircraft is 988 mb, 29.18 inches. Bands of heavy rain have begun to spread onto the northern Gulf Coast. Storm total accumulations of 10 to 20 inches are possible in association with Isidore over the southeastern United States during the next several days. These rains could cause life-threatening floods. Bands of heavy rain will continue over portions of the Yucatan peninsula and southeastern Mexico, with an additional 5 inches of rain possible Tuesday night.

Coastal storm surge flooding of 2 to 4 feet above normal tide levels is likely in areas of onshore winds over the northwest Yucatan peninsula and elsewhere along the coast of Mexico from Campeche westward to near Veracruz. These tides should diminish later Tuesday and Tuesday night. Tides are running 1 to 2 feet above normal along much of the remainder of the Gulf coast, and this, combined with large swells generated by Isidore, could cause some coastal flooding and beach erosion. These storm tides will gradually increase in the warning area during the next 24 hours.

A hurricane watch remains in effect along the northern Gulf coast from Cameron, La., to Pascagoula, Miss. A hurricane watch means hurricane conditions are possible in the watch area during the next 36 hours.

A tropical storm warning remains in effect from east of High Island, Texas, to Destin, Fla. A tropical storm warning means tropical storm conditions are expected in the warning area during the next 24 hours.

The government of Mexico has discontinued all warnings west of Campeche as of 5 p.m. EDT. A tropical storm warning remains in effect along the Gulf coast of Mexico from Cabo Catoche to Campeche. Interests elsewhere along the northern coast of the Gulf of Mexico should monitor the progress of Isidore.

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

NOAA's Flood Products

NOAA Rainfall Graphics
24-hour Observed Precipitation as of 8 a.m. today

Latest rainfall data as of 8 a.m. EDT today

NOAA Buoys

NOAA's Tides Online

NOAA Satellite Images — The latest satellite views

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NOAA 3-D Satellite Images

NOAA's Hurricanes Page

NOAA's Storm Watch — Get the latest severe weather information across the USA

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