GUSTAV NOW A TROPICAL STORM MOVING NORTHWARD AND APPROACHING THE
OUTER BANKS

September 10, 2002 — At 11 a.m. EDT, the center of Tropical Storm Gustav was located near latitude 34.4 north, longitude 75.3 west or about 60 miles south-southeast of Cape Hatteras, N.C. Gustav is moving toward the north near 9 mph. A turn toward the northeast at a faster forward speed is expected during the next 24 hours. This motion could bring the center of Gustav near the North Carolina Outer Banks later Tuesday, according to the NOAA National Hurricane Center in Miami, Fla. (Click NOAA satellite image for larger view of Tropical Storm Gustav taken at 8:30 a.m. EDT on Sept. 10, 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, and gusts to hurricane force could occur over portions of the Outer Banks as the center of Gustav passes nearby.

Tropical storm force winds extend outward up to 175 miles from the center. The automated station at Diamond Shoals, N.C., recently reported sustained winds of 60 mph with gusts to 68 mph. The latest minimum central pressure reported by an Air Force Reserve “hurricane hunter” aircraft is 987 mb, 29.15 inches.

Storm surge flooding of up to 6 feet above normal tide levels is possible in the south end of Pamlico Sound. Storm surge flooding of 1 to 3 feet above normal tide levels is possible elsewhere in the warning area. High surf and dangerous rip currents are expected along the U.S. East Coast from New Jersey southward to the central Florida coast Tuesday.

Rainfall amounts of 2 to 4 inches are possible over portions of eastern North Carolina Tuesday with 1 to 2 inches over portions of southeastern Virginia. Isolated tornadoes are possible over portions of eastern North Carolina Tuesday.

A tropical storm warning remains in effect from Cape Fear, N.C., northward to Parramore Island, Va., including the Pamlico and Albemarle sounds, and the southern Chesapeake Bay south of New Point Comfort, Va.

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

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 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