EXTREMELY DANGEROUS HURRICANE IRIS HEADS FOR LANDFALL;
JERRY LOSES ITS PUNCH
October 8, 2001 — At 5 p.m. EDT, the center of Hurricane Iris was located near latitude 16.8 north, longitude 86.9 west or about 105 miles east-southeast of Belize City, Belize. Iris is moving toward the west near 22 mph, and a motion just south of due west is expected prior to landfall. On the projected track, the center is expected to make landfall on the coast of Belize late Monday night or early Tuesday morning, according to NOAA's National Hurricane Center. (Click NOAA satellite image for larger view of Hurricane Iris taken Oct. 8, 2001 at 4:15 p.m. EDT. Click here to see latest satellite image.)
Maximum sustained winds are near 140 mph with higher gusts. Some fluctuations in intensity are possible prior to landfall, but Iris is likely to make landfall as a category four hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson hurricane scale. Iris remains a very small hurricane. Hurricane force winds extend outward up to 15 miles from the center, and tropical storm force winds extend outward up to 145 miles. Estimated minimum central pressure is 954 mb, 28.17 inches.
Storm surge flooding of 13-18 feet above normal tide levels, along with dangerous large battering waves, are likely near and to the north of where the center of the hurricane crosses the coast. Rainfall totals of 5 to 8 inches, locally higher, are likely along the path of Iris. These rains could cause life-threatening flash floods and mud slides over mountainous terrain.
Preparations to protect life and property in the hurricane warning area should have been completed.
The government of Mexico has discontinued the hurricane watch for the east coast of the Yucatan peninsula from Cabo Catoche southward to the Belize border. A hurricane warning remains in effect for the Caribbean coasts of Belize, Guatemala and Honduras from the border with Guatemala eastward to Limon. A tropical storm warning is in effect for the east coast of the Yucatan from Felipe Carrillo Puerto southward to the border with Belize.
JERRY LOSES ITS PUNCH
An Air Force plane investigating Jerry found only a broad area of low pressure and a few squalls. At 5 p.m. EDT, the center of the broad area of low pressure was located near latitude 14.5 north, longitude 66.5 west or about 240 miles south of Ponce, Puerto Rico.
The remnants of the depression are moving toward the west-northwest near 20 mph, and this general motion is expected to continue during the next couple of days. Maximum sustained winds are near 30 mph in a few squalls. Estimated minimum central pressure is 1008 mb, 29.77 inches.
For storm information for specific areas of the USA, please monitor products issued by NOAA's National Weather Service local forecast offices.
Storm Advisories updated 5 a.m., 11 a.m., 5 p.m., and 11 p.m. EDT; every three hours if a Watch/Warning is in effect.
NOAA satellite images updated 15 minutes past the hour; Atlantic Coast and Gulf of Mexico and close-ups also updated at 45 past the hour.
Click NOAA tracking map for larger view.
Relevant Web Sites
NOAA's National Hurricane Center — Get the latest advisories here
Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale
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
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