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LILI CONTINUES TO WEAKEN

(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.)

NOAA satellite image of Tropical Storm Lili taken at 4:45 p.m. EDT on Oct. 3, 2002.October 3, 2002 — At 5 p.m. EDT, the center of Tropical Storm Lili was located near latitude 31.3 north, longitude 92.2 west or very near Alexandria, La. Lili is moving toward the north near 18 mph, and this motion is expected to continue Thursday night with a gradual turn to the northeast, according to the NOAA National Hurricane Center in Miami, Fla. (Click NOAA satellite image for larger view of Tropical Storm Lili taken at 4:45 p.m. EDT on Oct. 3, 2002. Click here to see latest view. Please credit “NOAA.”)

Maximum sustained winds are near 50 mph with higher gusts. Continued weakening is forecast during the next 24 hours. Tropical storm force winds extend outward up to 60 miles to the north and east of the center.

Estimated minimum central pressure is 982 mb, 29.00 inches. Storm surge levels will continue to decrease Thursday night. Rainfall accumulations of 4 to 8 inches are possible in association with Lili. These rains could cause dangerous flooding.

Coastal warnings were discontinued as of 3 p.m. EDT.

Isolated tornadoes are possible over eastern Louisiana and Mississippi Thursday night.

The NOAA National Hurricane Center in Miami, Fla., reports that Hurricane Lili made landfall at Rainey Refuge, La., on the west side of Vermillion Bay, at 10 a.m. EDT on Thursday, Oct. 3, 2002.

Special Statements from NOAA Weather Forecast Offices to be Impacted by Lili.

Lake Charles, La., Local Statement

Houston/Galveston, Texas, Local Statement

New Orleans, La., Local Statement

Mobile, Ala., Local Statement

For storm information specific to your area, please monitor products issued by NOAA National Weather Service local forecast offices.

NOAA’s HURRICANE FACTS

LAST TIME A HURRICANE STRUCK THE U.S. MAINLAND

Bret, Padre Island, south Texas, Aug. 22, 1999. Sustained winds of 115 mph, Category 3.

Floyd, Cape Fear, N.C., Sept. 16, 1999. Sustained winds of 105 mph, Category 2.

Irene, south Florida, October 15, 1999. Sustained winds of 75 mph, Category 1.

During their lifetimes, Bret and Floyd were Category 4 storms but weakened before landfall.


Last U.S. land falling Category 5 storm: Andrew, Dade County, Florida, Aug. 24, 1992

Last U.S. land falling Category 4 storm: Hugo, Charleston, S.C., September 22, 1989

Last U.S. land falling Category 3 storm: Bret, Padre Island, south Texas, Aug. 22, 1999

Click NOAA tracking map for larger view.
NOAA Tracking Map of Tropical Storm Lili.

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 Tides Online

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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