ISIDORE CONTINUING NORTHWARD TOWARD THE NORTHERN GULF COAST

(See NOAA's National Hurricane Center for the latest information on this storm. Complete advisories are posted at 11 a.m., 5 p.m., 11 p.m. and 5 a.m. All times are Eastern. Advisories are posted more frequently as the storm nears the USA mainland.)

September 25, 2002 — At 11 a.m. EDT, the center of Tropical Storm Isidore was located near latitude 26.0 north, longitude 90.2 west or about 270 miles south of New Orleans, La. Isidore is moving toward the north near 13 mph, and this motion is expected to continue for the next 24 hours. This motion could bring the center near or over the Louisiana coast after midnight Wednesday night, according to the NOAA National Hurricane Center in Miami, Fla. (Click NOAA satellite image for larger view of Tropical Storm Isidore taken at 8:15 a.m. EDT on Sept. 25, 2002. Click here to see latest view. Please credit “NOAA.”)

Maximum sustained winds are near 60 mph with higher gusts. Slow strengthening is possible 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 315 miles mainly to the north of the center. Estimated minimum central pressure is 990 mb, 29.23 inches. NOAA buoy 42001 recently reported a pressure of 991.8 mb, 29.29 inches.

Bands of heavy rain are spreading 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 two to three days. Heavy rains will also spread northward into the Tennessee Valley and the southeastern states during the same time period. These rains could cause life-threatening floods. Bands of heavy rain will continue over portions of the Yucatan peninsula and southeastern Mexico Wednesday with an additional 5 inches of rain possible.

Coastal storm surge flooding of 3 to 6 feet above normal tide levels with higher levels in bays, along with battering waves, can be expected within the tropical storm warning area. Isolated tornadoes are possible from southeast Louisiana to the western Florida panhandle.

A hurricane watch remains in effect along the northern Gulf coast from Cameron, La., to Pascagoula, Miss. The tropical storm warning is extended eastward along the Florida coast to St. Marks. A tropical storm warning is now in effect from east of High Island, Texas, to St. Marks, Fla., as of 11 a.m. EDT. The government of Mexico discontinued tropical storm warnings for the Yucatan peninsula. 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

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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