Sept. 11, 2003 � The NOAA National Hurricane Center in Miami, Fla., reports that at 11 p.m. EDT the center of Hurricane Isabel was located near latitude 21.6 north, longitude 56.1 west or about 455 miles northeast of the northern Leeward Islands. Isabel is moving toward the west near 9 mph, and a track just north of due west is expected over the next 24 hours. Isabel is the first Category 5 hurricane in the Atlantic basin since Mitch of 1998. (Click NOAA satellite image for larger view of the eye of Hurricane Isabel taken on Sept. 11, 2003, at 1:45 p.m. EDT. Click here for high resolution version, which is a large file. Please credit “NOAA.”)

Maximum sustained winds are near 160 mph with higher gusts. The core of Isabel is beginning to undergo some reorganization, and some temporary weakening is possible overnight. Fluctuations in intensity are common in major hurricanes. (Click NOAA satellite image for larger view of very dangerous Hurricane Isabel looming hundreds of miles from the USA coast with the remnants of what was Tropical Storm Henri still hugging parts of the Eastern United States taken on Sept. 11, 2003, at 10:45 a.m. EDT. Click here for high resolution version, which is a large file. Please credit “NOAA.”)

HURRICANE MITCH LEGACY

Hurricane Mitch, November 1998: One of the strongest late season hurricanes on record formed in the western Carribean in October 1998. Although the system eventually weakened before landfall, its slow passage westward over the mountainous regions of Central America unleashed precipitation amounts estimated as high as 75 inches. The resulting floods devastated the entire infrastructure of Honduras and also severely impacted other countries in the area. The final estimated death toll was 11,000, the greatest loss of life from a tropical system in the western hemisphere since 1780.

Hurricane force winds extend outward up to 60 miles from the center, and tropical storm force winds extend outward up to 185 miles.

Estimated minimum central pressure is 924 mb, 27.29 inches.

Large ocean swells and dangerous surf conditions are likely over portions of the Leeward Islands, the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico over the next several days. (Click NOAA tracking map of Hurricane Isabel for larger view.)

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

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Relevant Web Sites
NOAA National Hurricane Center — Get the latest advisories here

NOAA Atlantic Hurricanes Database — 150 Years of Atlantic Hurricanes

NOAA Forecasters Say Six to Nine Hurricanes Could Threaten in 2003

Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale

NOAA River Forecast Centers

NOAA 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 Tides Online

NOAA Satellite Images — The latest satellite views

Colorized Satellite Images

NOAA 3-D Satellite Images

NOAA Hurricanes Page

NOAA Storm Watch — Get the latest severe weather information across the USA

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