Isidore becomes a Category 2 hurricane
Fri, Sep. 20, 2002 11:43 AM ET

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Hurricane Isidore is pounding Cuba as a Category 2 storm. The system gained strength early Friday before bringing rain and wind to western portions of the Caribbean nation.
Once it passes Cuba, Isidore is expected to linger in the southeast Gulf of Mexico through the weekend, keeping Gulf Coast States on alert in case it makes a northern shift.

Official advisories shifted westward late Friday morning. The tropical storm watch for the lower Florida Keys was discontinued, while the government of Mexico issued a tropical storm warning and a hurricane watch from Progresso to Tulum on the Yucatan Peninsula. That includes the popular tourist destination, Cozumel.

A hurricane warning remained in effect early Friday for western Cuba as Isidore brought stormy conditions to the region. As much as 20 to 30 inches of rain could fall over portions of western Cuba as Isidore slowly makes its way into the Gulf of Mexico.

Isidore was moving northwest across the western portion of Cuba at about 8 mph early Friday and could reach the southeast Gulf sometime this weekend, said Daniel Brown of the National Hurricane Center.

In the Florida Keys, Monroe County emergency management officials announced Thursday no immediate plans, but asked residents to pay close attention to the storm. Officials in southwest Florida's Collier County did the same.

"We're keeping the public informed, keeping communications open with the hospitals, at risk populations such people as mobile homes, the police, the schools, the state parks, so that they will know what our plans would be at a later time," said Irene Toner, Monroe County's emergency management director on Thursday.

"It's hard to tell where it will end up," Brown said. "Everyone in the southern Gulf coast should be aware that it is out there."

"The message to everybody along the Gulf coast is that, if you are not prepared in terms of supplies, do so now because, fortunately, there's still time to prepare," said Franklin.

Isidore lashed Jamaica Wednesday with heavy rains and powerful winds. The storm tore up trees and knocked out electricity on Cayman Brac while making for western Cuba.

At 11 a.m. EDT, Isidore was located about 100 miles southwest of Havana, near the southwest coast of the Isle of Youth. Wind speeds were recorded at 105 mph, forecasters said.

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~NOLEY~ <img border="0" alt="[Wavy Guy]" title="" src="graemlins/wave.gif" />

The mere fact that they were predicting 30" of rain in Cuba was startling. This storm is gonna make a mess.........Lord help folks in her way.

Chit...Tony has to fly from Rio to Miami (and then home! yay!) over the weekend...I wonder if this is going to delay his trip? <img border="0" title="" alt="[Frown]" src="frown.gif" />

As of now, they are predicting that it will not hit the bay area. We are watching closely, however, and crossing our fingers.

HIT HIT HIT HIT, I HOPE IT HITS ME

<small>[ September 20, 2002, 06:52 PM: Message edited by: georgia_tech_swagger ]</small>

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Originally posted by Harry Potter:
HIT HIT HIT HIT, I HOPE IT HITS</font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">You hope it hits? Hits where?

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Originally posted by Harry Potter:
HIT HIT HIT HIT, I HOPE IT HITS</font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">You know what, Harry? This is your most irresponsible post to date. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Mad]" src="mad-flaming.gif" /> Are you going to personally fork over all the money to pay for the damage to life and property that will occur if this hurricane hits the mainland? You are a complete jerk! <img border="0" title="" alt="[Mad]" src="mad-flaming.gif" /> <img border="0" title="" alt="[Mad]" src="mad-flaming.gif" /> <img border="0" title="" alt="[Mad]" src="mad-flaming.gif" />

Sorry guys, I know this should be in the VAA, but when somebody hopes that something occurs that will hurt other people, it makes me quite irate! <img border="0" title="" alt="[Mad]" src="mad-flaming.gif" />

BTW...it was GTS that added the "me" at the end of Harry's post...he originally just wanted it to hit

<small>[ September 20, 2002, 06:54 PM: Message edited by: LilRedTerp ]</small>

I think he was just misunderstood. I tacked on another word to his post.

<img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="biggrin.gif" /> <img border="0" alt="[angel]" title="" src="graemlins/angel.gif" /> <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="biggrin.gif" />