EXTREMELY DANGEROUS HURRICANE MICHELLE TAKES AIM AT CUBA

November 3, 2001 — At 10 p.m. EST, the eye of Hurricane Michelle was located near latitude 20.0 north, longitude 83.5 west or about 210 miles south-southwest of Havana and 105 miles south-southwest of the Isle of Youth, according to NOAA's National Hurricane Center. (Click NOAA satellite image for larger view of Hurricane Michelle taken Nov. 3, 2001 at 9:04 p.m. EST. Click here to see latest satellite image.)

Michelle is moving toward the north-northeast near 6 mph. On this track, the core of this dangerous hurricane should be passing over or very close to Isle of Youth early Sunday and then across Cuba later in the day. Maximum sustained winds are near 135 mph with higher gusts. Michelle is a dangerous category four hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson hurricane scale. Some fluctuations in intensity are likely before landfall.

Hurricane force winds extend outward up to 45 miles from the center, and tropical storm force winds extend outward up to 145 miles. Latest minimum central pressure reported by a NOAA reconnaissance plane was 944 mb, 27.88 inches.

Outer rain bands are located over portions of Cuba, the Cayman Islands, Jamaica and the Yucatan Peninsula. Heavy squalls are already approaching the Isle of Youth. Rainfall accumulations of 10-20 inches can be expected near the path of Michelle. Storm surge of near 20 feet is possible near and to the east of where the eye makes landfall.

A hurricane warning remains in effect for western Cuba for the provinces from Pinar del Rio eastward to Ciego de Avila including the Isle of Youth. A tropical storm warning and a hurricane watch remain in effect for the Florida Keys from Ocean Reef westward to the Dry Tortugas, including Florida Bay. A hurricane warning may be required for the
Florida keys on Sunday morning. A tropical storm warning is issued for the east coast of Florida from Jupiter Inlet southward to Ocean Reef and along the west coast of Florida south of Bonito Beach.

The government of the Bahamas has issued a hurricane watch for the northwestern and central Bahamas. This includes Grand Bahama, the Abacos, the Berry Islands, Bimini, Andros, New Providence, Eleuthera, Cat Island, Exumas, San Salvador, Rum Cay and Long Island. A tropical storm watch is in effect for the island of Grand Cayman.

For storm information for specific areas of the USA, please monitor products issued by National Weather Service local forecast offices. In addition, see NOAA's Southeast River Forecast Center for the latest river conditions.

Storm Advisories updated 4 a.m., 10 a.m., 4 p.m., and 10 p.m. EST; 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's Southeast River Forecast Center

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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