posted on September 14, 2003 09:28:26 AM new
Dangerous Hurricane Isabel Aims at U.S. East Coast
Sun September 14, 2003 12:02 PM ET
By Jane Sutton
MIAMI (Reuters) - Powerful Hurricane Isabel steamed across the Atlantic Ocean toward the United States on Sunday and forecasters said it would almost certainly hit the Eastern Seaboard late this week.
"We feel pretty confident that someone will (get hit)," said Eric Blake, a specialist at the National Hurricane Center in Miami. "We're forecasting a major hurricane for the United States East Coast."
Forecasters said the storm could strike the U.S. Atlantic Coast anywhere from South Carolina to Maine by Friday, though the most likely track would bring it barreling up the North Carolina, Virginia and Maryland shorelines.
"Even if the center doesn't come near your specific location, the storm is very large and most of the East Coast is probably going to feel this in some way, especially in the mid-Atlantic states," Blake said.
Isabel had sustained winds of 155 mph, making it a strong Category 4 storm on the five-step Saffir-Simpson scale of hurricane intensity. Such storms can destroy coastal homes, rip off roofs, batter the shoreline with a 15-foot storm surge and cause heavy inland flooding.
A tiny boost in strength could make it a rare Category 5 hurricane capable of inflicting widespread destruction -- only three have hit the U.S. mainland in the last century, the Hurricane Center said.
At 11 a.m. EDT, the eye of the hurricane was about 370 miles east-northeast of the Turks and Caicos Islands south of the Bahamas, at latitude 23.7 north and longitude 66.3 west, forecasters said. It was moving west-northwest at 12 mph.
Isabel missed the small islands of the northeastern Caribbean but was churning up dangerous swells that could reach the Bahamas and the southeastern U.S. coast in the next few days, forecasters said.
Isabel's strength fluctuated slightly. It reached Category 5 strength on Saturday, the first in the Atlantic-Caribbean region to hit that mark since 1998, when Hurricane Mitch killed more than 9,000 people in Central America.
Only three Category 5 storms have hit the United States since 1900, according to hurricane center records. The unnamed storm of 1935 killed several hundred people in the Florida Keys. Camille hit Mississippi in 1969, killing 256 people. And Andrew, which became the costliest natural disaster in U.S. history, killed 23 people and did more than $25 billion in damage when it hit the Miami area in 1992.
posted on September 14, 2003 10:30:40 AM new
I'll bet the folks in Bermuda are thrilled. They're just getting things cleaned up from the last one!
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Games of all kinds!
posted on September 14, 2003 10:52:13 AM new
It's too bad big storms are so destructive because they're quite awesome to watch - especially tornados and all that.
posted on September 14, 2003 11:18:56 AM new
Makes this drought seem positively benign. Buena suerte everyone....
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I want to have Ann Coulter's babies
posted on September 14, 2003 07:21:59 PM new
This has really been a crazy summer weather-wise. We went from being cold and very, very wet to being hot and very dry. Predictions are for a horrid winter. They say to prepare for the storm of the century. I don't know how they can call it that since this century is only now 2 years and 9 months old! What will they call the next storm of the century that happens in this century?
posted on September 14, 2003 08:30:37 PM new
We've been told that the Washington area may be in the path. I know some people who are planning to move and secure their boats in the Chesapeake Bay area. Hope everyone stays safe!!!
posted on September 15, 2003 10:09:22 AM newCategory Five Hurricane:
Winds greater than 155 mph (135 kt or 249 km/hr). Storm surge generally greater than 18 ft above normal. Complete roof failure on many residences and industrial buildings. Some complete building failures with small utility buildings blown over or away. All shrubs, trees, and signs blown down. Complete destructon of mobile homes. Severe and extensive window and door damage. Low-lying escape routes are cut by rising water 3-5 hours before arrival of the center of the hurricane. Major damage to lower floors of all structures located less than 15 ft above sea level and within 500 yards of the shoreline. Massive evacuation of residential areas on low ground within 5-10 miles (8-16 km) of the shoreline may be required. Hurricane Mitch of 1998 was a Category Five hurricane at peak intensity over the western Caribbean. Hurricane Gilbert of 1988 was a Category Five hurricane at peak intensity and is one of the strongest Atlantic tropical cyclones of record.
posted on September 15, 2003 01:22:19 PM new
Agnes did major damage here in PA, and now it seems this hurricane may take the same path. Hopefully when/if it comes inland it will move quickly out.
posted on September 15, 2003 01:56:14 PM new
Amen to that, Blairwitch....I have a daughter who lives in PA and another traveling in North Carolina so I'm hoping that the dam thing will turn around.
Latest news....
MIAMI (Reuters) - U.S. East coast residents on Tuesday prepared for one of the most powerful storms in recent memory as Hurricane Isabel whirled through the Atlantic toward possible landfall on Thursday in North Carolina.
Isabel, with winds up to 140 mph was on a path that could bring it ashore near Cape Hatteras, North Carolina and then northward along the Chesapeake Bay near Washington D.C., through Virginia, Maryland and Pennsylvania, the U.S. National Hurricane Center said.
posted on September 16, 2003 05:44:16 AM new
Category 3 todayLooks like it's headed right for DC area now, disaster relief and personnel will be hard to come by due to the war.
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In this world of sin and sorrow, there is always something to be thankful for; as for me, I rejoice that I am not a Republican. -- H.L. Mencken
posted on September 19, 2003 08:34:54 AM new
Good to hear that your are safe and sound Helen. Hope you don't get too water logged.
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Men Are Like Grapes. If You Stomp on Them and Keep Them in the Dark Long Enough, They Might Turn Into Something That You Would Take to Dinner
posted on September 19, 2003 09:34:04 AM new
Thanks, fenix!
The Washington Post is reporting that over 700,000 people in the Washington D.C., Maryland and Va. area are without electricity...maybe for over seven days.
Street lights aren't working...
Just saw the very long line for dry ice at a local Pepco distribution center in Maryland. Awesome!
Telephone service is also disrupted in some places.
posted on September 19, 2003 10:14:18 AM new
Helen, thanks for keeping the satellite photo up for everyone. I hope your power comes back soon and isn't out for a week! (I'd miss you too much)
