Hurricane Isabel Intermediate Advisory Number 45a
Statement as of 8:00 am EDT on September 17, 2003
...Isabel continues its approach to the coast...preparations should
be rushed to completion...
a Hurricane Warning remains in effect from Cape Fear North Carolina
northward to Chincoteague Virginia...including Chesapeake Bay south
of Smith Point.
A Hurricane Watch remains in effect for the tidal Potomac and
Chesapeake Bay north of Smith Point.
A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect from Cape Fear southward to
Little River Inlet South Carolina.
A tropical storm watch is in effect from north of Chincoteague to
Sandy Hook New Jersey...including Delaware Bay...and from south of
Little River Inlet to South Santee River South Carolina.
A Hurricane Warning means that hurricane conditions are possible
within the warning area...generally within 24 hours. Preparations
to protect life and property in the Hurricane Warning area should
be rushed to completion during the daylight hours today.
At 8 am EDT...1200z...the center of Hurricane Isabel was located
near latitude 29.7 north...longitude 72.4 west or about 425 miles
south-southeast of Cape Hatteras North Carolina.
Isabel is moving toward the north-northwest near 9 mph. This
general motion is expected to continue with an increase in forward
speed during the next 24 hours.
Maximum sustained winds are near 110 mph...with higher gusts.
Little change in strength is forecast during the next 24 hours.
Hurricane force winds extend outward up to 145 miles from the
center...and tropical storm force winds extend outward up
to 260 miles.
The latest minimum central pressure reported by an Air Force reserve
hurricane hunter aircraft is 957 mb...28.26 inches.
Storm surge flooding of 7 to 11 feet above normal tide levels is
expected near and to the north of where the center crosses the
coast. Storm surge flooding of 4 to 7 ft above normal tide levels
is expected in southern Chesapeake Bay.
Storm total rainfalls of 6 to 10 inches...with locally higher
amounts...are likely along the path of the hurricane.
Large ocean swells and dangerous surf conditions are being
experienced along portions of the U.S. Eastern Seaboard. These
conditions will also continue over portions of the Bahamas for the
next few days.
Repeating the 8 am EDT position...29.7 N... 72.4 W. Movement
toward...north-northwest near 9 mph. Maximum sustained
winds...110 mph. Minimum central pressure... 957 mb.
For storm-related information specific to your area...please monitor
products issued by your local weather office...and statements from
local emergency management officials.
The next advisory will be issued by the National Hurricane Center at
11 am EDT.
Forecaster Franklin
What happened to all the Freepers that were writing Isabel's obituaries for the last 2 days? ;^)
The wind speed makes it Category 2 but the barometric pressure makes it Category 3. And it hasn't hit the Gulf Stream yet.