NOAA News Online (Story 2290)

HURRICANE CHARLEY ON TRACK WITH WIND GUSTS TO 124 MPH IN CUBA

(DISCLAIMER: See the NOAA 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.)
Latest NOAA Satellite Image of Charley (Visible)	Latest NOAA Infrared Satellite Image of Charley	Latest NOAA Key West, Fla., Radar Image	NOAA Satellite/Radar Time Conversion

NOAA infrared satellite image of Hurricane Charley taken at 7:45 a.m. EDT on Aug. 13, 2004.

Aug. 13, 2004 — At 7 a.m. EDT, the eye of hurricane Charley was estimated near latitude 24.4 north, longitude 82.9 west or about 75 miles west of Key West, Fla. Charley is moving toward the north-northwest near 18 mph. A gradual turn to the north is expected Friday, according to the NOAA National Hurricane Center in Miami, Fla. (Click NOAA infrared satellite image for larger view of Hurricane Charley taken at 7:45 a.m. EDT on Aug. 13, 2004. Click here for high resolution version, which is a large file. Please credit “NOAA.)

Maximum sustained winds are near 110 mph with higher gusts. Some strengthening is possible, and Charley is forecast to be a major hurricane as it approaches the Florida west coast.

Hurricane force winds extend outward up to 30 miles from the center, and tropical storm force winds extend outward up to 125 miles. Preliminary reports from Cuba indicate that
peak winds of near 124 mph were measured just west of Havana near the eye of the hurricane. (Click NOAA Hurricane Charley tracking map for larger view.)

Latest minimum central pressure reported by a hurricane reconnaissance plane was 969 mb, 28.61 inches.

Storm surge flooding of 2 to 4 feet, along with large and dangerous battering waves, can be expected in the Florida keys. Storm surge flooding of 10 to 13 feet is also possible near and south of where the center crosses the Florida west coast.

Rainfall totals of 4 to 8 inches are likely in association with Charley. These rains could cause life-threatening flash floods.

NOAA Key West, Fla., radar image of Hurricane Charley taken at 7:53 a.m. EDT on Aug. 13, 2004.

Isolated tornadoes are possible across parts of the southern Florida peninsula and the Florida Keys Friday. (Click NOAA Key West, Fla., radar image for larger view of Hurricane Charley taken at 7:53 a.m. EDT on Aug. 13, 2004. Click here for high resolution version, which is a large file. Please credit “NOAA.”)

A hurricane warning remains in effect for the Florida Keys from the Dry Tortugas to the Seven Mile Bridge and for the Florida west coast from East Cape Sable northward to the Steinhatchee River. A hurricane warning means that hurricane conditions are expected within the warning area during the next 24 hours. Preparations should be rushed to completion.

A tropical storm warning is issued for the Florida and Georgia coasts from Cocoa Beach, Fla., to Altamaha Sound, Ga. A tropical storm warning remains in effect for the Florida Keys from the Seven Mile Bridge to Ocean Reef and along the south Florida mainland from Ocean Reef to East Cape Sable, including Florida Bay and Lake Okeechobee.

A tropical storm watch remains in effect for the southeastern U.S. coast from Ocean Reef northward to south of Cocoa Beach and from north of Altamaha Sound, Ga., to Cape Fear, N.C.

For storm information specific to your area, please monitor products issued by NOAA National Weather Service local forecast offices and statements from local emergency management officials.

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