ISIDORE BRINGS TORRENTIAL RAINS TO 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 p.m. EDT, the center of Tropical Storm Isidore was located near latitude 28.1 north, longitude 90.3 west or about 125 miles south of New Orleans, La., and about 70 miles south of the southeast Louisiana coast. Isidore is moving toward the north near 13 mph, and a generally northward motion is expected for the next 12 to 24 hours. On this track, the center will move over or near the southeast Louisiana coast before dawn Thursday, according to the NOAA National Hurricane Center in Miami, Fla. (Click NOAA satellite image for larger view of Tropical Storm Isidore taken at 11:15 p.m. EDT on Sept. 25, 2002. Click here to see latest view. Please credit “NOAA.”)

Maximum sustained winds are near 65 mph with higher gusts. Slight strengthening is possible before landfall. Isidore is a large storm with a circulation that covers much of the Gulf of Mexico. Tropical storm force winds extend outward up to 345 miles from the center. Estimated minimum central pressure is 989 mb, 29.21 inches.

Rainfall totals of 10 to 12 inches have been reported in the New Orleans area. Storm total accumulations of 10 to 20 inches will continue spreading over the southeastern United States. Heavy rains will also spread northward into the Tennessee and Ohio valleys. These rains could cause life-threatening floods.

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 to the east of the center. Isolated tornadoes are possible from southeast Louisiana to the western Florida panhandle through early Thursday.

A hurricane watch remains in effect along the northern Gulf coast From Cameron, La., to Pascagoula, Miss. A tropical storm warning remains in effect from east of High Island, Texas, to St. Marks, Fla. 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

Colorized Satellite Images

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