IRIS—A POWERFUL CATEGORY FOUR HURRICANE—MAKES LANDFALL

October 8, 2001 — At 11 p.m. EDT, the Belize radar showed that the center of Hurricane Iris was inland and located near latitude 16.4 north, longitude 88.7 west or about 80 miles south-southwest of Belize City, Belize, or about 15 miles west-northwest of Monkey River, Belize. Iris is moving toward the west near 22 mph, and this motion is expected to continue for the next 24 hours, according to NOAA's National Hurricane Center. (Click NOAA satellite image for larger view of Hurricane Iris taken Oct. 8, 2001 at 10:45 p.m. EDT. Click here to see latest satellite image.)

Maximum sustained winds are near 140 mph with higher gusts making Iris a powerful category four hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson hurricane scale. Higher winds may occur over elevated terrain as Iris moves inland. Iris will weaken rapidly as it moves over the mountainous terrain of Belize and Guatemala. 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.

The storm surge flooding of 13-18 feet above normal tide levels, along with dangerous large battering waves, that has been occurring near and to the north of where the center of the hurricane crossed the coast will begin subsiding over the next several hours. 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.

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.

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.

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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