RAINS CONTINUE AS FAY REMAINS STALLED

September 6, 2002 — At 5 p.m. EDT, the poorly-defined center of Tropical Storm Fay was located near latitude 27.8 north, longitude 94.8 west or about 105 miles south of Galveston, Texas. Fay is essentially stationary. Movement over the next 24 hours will be slow and erratic, but a general motion to the west-northwest or northwest is expected, according to the NOAA National Hurricane Center in Miami, Fla. (Click NOAA satellite image for larger view of Tropical Storm Fay taken at 4:15 p.m. EDT on Sept. 6, 2002. Click here to see latest view. Please credit “NOAA.”)

Maximum sustained winds are near 60 mph with higher gusts. Some strengthening is expected during the next 24 hours, and winds could approach hurricane strength prior to landfall.

Tropical storm force winds extend outward up to 140 miles from the center. Nearly all of the strong winds and heavy rains with Fay are located in the northern part of the circulation well removed from the center. The minimum central pressure measured by reconnaissance aircraft was 999 mb, 29.50 inches.

Total rainfall accumulations in association with Fay of 4 to 8 inches are expected, mainly north of the center, with some locally higher amounts of 10 to 15 inches possible.

Tide gauge observations from Freeport, Texas, show that storm surge is now 4 feet above the normal tide level. The storm surge is forecast to reach 4 to 6 feet above normal tide levels in the warning area. Isolated tornadoes are possible over portions of southwestern Louisiana and southeastern Texas.

A tropical storm warning is in effect from Port Aransas, Texas, to Intracoastal City, La. A hurricane watch is in effect from Port O’connor to High Island, Texas. A hurricane watch means that hurricane conditions are possible within the watch area.

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.

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El Niño Expected to Impact Atlantic Hurricane Season, NOAA Reports

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Media Contact:
Frank Lepore, NOAA's National Hurricane Center, (305) 229-4404