LILI BECOMES THE FOURTH HURRICANE OF THE 2002 SEASON

(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 30, 2002 — At 11 a.m. EDT, the center of Hurricane Lili was located near latitude 19.8 north, longitude 80.0 west or very near the islands of Little Cayman and Cayman Brac. This position is also about 225 miles southeast of the Isle of Youth. Lili is moving toward the west-northwest near 10 mph, and this motion is expected to continue with some increase in forward speed during the next 24 hours, according to the NOAA National Hurricane Center in Miami, Fla. (Click NOAA satellite image for larger view of Hurricane Lili taken at 10:45 a.m. EDT on Sept. 30, 2002. Click here to see latest view. Please credit “NOAA.”)

Maximum sustained winds are near 75 mph with higher gusts. Additional strengthening is expected during the next 24 hours. Hurricane force winds extend outward up to 15 miles from the center, and tropical storm force winds extend outward up to 105 miles. Lili is the fourth hurricane of the 2002 Atlantic hurricane season. She follows Hurricanes Gustav, Isidore and Kyle.

The minimum central pressure reported by the Air Force hurricane hunter aircraft was 986 mb, 29.12 inches. Heavy rains continue across Jamaica and the Cayman Islands and are spreading over portions of eastern Cuba. These rains could cause life-threatening flash flooding and mud slides. (Click NOAA satellite image for larger view of Hurricane Lili taken at 8:15 a.m. EDT on Sept. 30, 2002.)

The government of Cuba issued a hurricane warning for the provinces of Matanzas, Ciudad de La Habana, La Habana, Pinar del Rio and the Isle of Youth as of 11 a.m. EDT. A tropical storm warning remains in effect for the rest of Cuba. A hurricane warning remains in effect for all of the Cayman Islands. A tropical storm warning remains in effect for Jamaica.

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