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CNN Live At Daybreak

Forecasters Predict Tropical Storm Isidore Will Regain Hurricane Status

Aired September 25, 2002 - 05:02   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.


THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.


CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: Forecasters predict tropical storm Isidore, once category three strength, will regain hurricane status before hitting the Gulf Coast. It's not the wind, but Isidore's prodigious amounts of rain and potential storm surge that's concerning residents. In Grand Isle, Louisiana, there are already reports of tides two feet above normal with flooded roads and heavy rains. Evacuations are expected to resume around midday. Officials had to temporarily stop evacuations early this morning, though, when high tide washed out parts of the only road off the island.
The effects of the storm were also being felt along the Texas coast. Swells as high as 12 feet have been reported and they are expected to grow.

So, Arch Kennedy, you have lots to look at this morning.

ARCH KENNEDY, CNN CORRESPONDENT: A little bit busy. Yes, we have now a tornado watch for parts of the Gulf Coast region. We're definitely going to be monitoring this. You know, New Orleans is, parts of New Orleans are 15 feet below sea level. Not good news here. It looks like we're...

COSTELLO: Yes, there's no higher ground there.

KENNEDY: Yes, yes. So we're definitely going to see some interesting weather here and we're going to monitor it. Let's take a look and show you the latest we have now on Isidore, still a tropical storm. And it is making its way northward through the Gulf of Mexico. It has had a broad circulation around the center and, again, we are seeing some strengthening with this system.

The good news is it doesn't look like it might be as strong at this point. We're going to continue to watch as we go, as it moves over the Gulf waters. We could see some strengthening. But right now it looks like a minimal hurricane.

You see the convection around the center, a lot of it now this morning on the east side. And as we look at the projected trek, still looking at the same thing. No big changes. Our models have been pretty consistent here. You can see here 2:00 a.m. on Thursday just off the Louisiana coastline. It still looks like it's going to make landfall as a minimal hurricane with maybe around 75 miles per hour winds. The big threat here is going to be the rain. We're going to see the potential for 10 to 20 inches. And, of course, we'll keep you posted, Carol, and we'll have more in just a few.

COSTELLO: Ten to 20 inches of rain?

KENNEDY: Yes, in the path of that storm. That's going to be a big flooding problem.

COSTELLO: It's just funny you call it a minimal hurricane.

KENNEDY: Yes.

COSTELLO: It just doesn't seem right, does it?

KENNEDY: Well, you know, again, the one good bit of news is the winds might not be so damaging.

COSTELLO: Oh, I hope not.

KENNEDY: So you've got to look at the good side.

COSTELLO: Yes, we want to go to the National Hurricane Center now in Miami and talk to Lexion Avila. He's a meteorologist over there. And I'm sure you'll echo much of what Arch just told us. A minimal hurricane. I guess that's a good thing.

LEXION AVILA, NATIONAL HURRICANE CENTER: Yes, a little bit but just on and off.

COSTELLO: Oh, just on and off. Can you hear me now? Should I keep talking? I feel like that commercial. Tell me where...

AVILA: Lost your signal.

COSTELLO: OK. Tell me where you think this hurricane is going to make landfall and when?

AVILA: I'm sorry, I lost your signal.

COSTELLO: We're going to have to get back to him. I should have known before I asked him that last question, huh?

OK, we'll keep you posted on the hurricane. Arch is busy at work right here at the CNN Center.

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com




Hurricane Status>


Aired September 25, 2002 - 05:02   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: Forecasters predict tropical storm Isidore, once category three strength, will regain hurricane status before hitting the Gulf Coast. It's not the wind, but Isidore's prodigious amounts of rain and potential storm surge that's concerning residents. In Grand Isle, Louisiana, there are already reports of tides two feet above normal with flooded roads and heavy rains. Evacuations are expected to resume around midday. Officials had to temporarily stop evacuations early this morning, though, when high tide washed out parts of the only road off the island.
The effects of the storm were also being felt along the Texas coast. Swells as high as 12 feet have been reported and they are expected to grow.

So, Arch Kennedy, you have lots to look at this morning.

ARCH KENNEDY, CNN CORRESPONDENT: A little bit busy. Yes, we have now a tornado watch for parts of the Gulf Coast region. We're definitely going to be monitoring this. You know, New Orleans is, parts of New Orleans are 15 feet below sea level. Not good news here. It looks like we're...

COSTELLO: Yes, there's no higher ground there.

KENNEDY: Yes, yes. So we're definitely going to see some interesting weather here and we're going to monitor it. Let's take a look and show you the latest we have now on Isidore, still a tropical storm. And it is making its way northward through the Gulf of Mexico. It has had a broad circulation around the center and, again, we are seeing some strengthening with this system.

The good news is it doesn't look like it might be as strong at this point. We're going to continue to watch as we go, as it moves over the Gulf waters. We could see some strengthening. But right now it looks like a minimal hurricane.

You see the convection around the center, a lot of it now this morning on the east side. And as we look at the projected trek, still looking at the same thing. No big changes. Our models have been pretty consistent here. You can see here 2:00 a.m. on Thursday just off the Louisiana coastline. It still looks like it's going to make landfall as a minimal hurricane with maybe around 75 miles per hour winds. The big threat here is going to be the rain. We're going to see the potential for 10 to 20 inches. And, of course, we'll keep you posted, Carol, and we'll have more in just a few.

COSTELLO: Ten to 20 inches of rain?

KENNEDY: Yes, in the path of that storm. That's going to be a big flooding problem.

COSTELLO: It's just funny you call it a minimal hurricane.

KENNEDY: Yes.

COSTELLO: It just doesn't seem right, does it?

KENNEDY: Well, you know, again, the one good bit of news is the winds might not be so damaging.

COSTELLO: Oh, I hope not.

KENNEDY: So you've got to look at the good side.

COSTELLO: Yes, we want to go to the National Hurricane Center now in Miami and talk to Lexion Avila. He's a meteorologist over there. And I'm sure you'll echo much of what Arch just told us. A minimal hurricane. I guess that's a good thing.

LEXION AVILA, NATIONAL HURRICANE CENTER: Yes, a little bit but just on and off.

COSTELLO: Oh, just on and off. Can you hear me now? Should I keep talking? I feel like that commercial. Tell me where...

AVILA: Lost your signal.

COSTELLO: OK. Tell me where you think this hurricane is going to make landfall and when?

AVILA: I'm sorry, I lost your signal.

COSTELLO: We're going to have to get back to him. I should have known before I asked him that last question, huh?

OK, we'll keep you posted on the hurricane. Arch is busy at work right here at the CNN Center.

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com




Hurricane Status>