CHARLEY
STRENGTHENING AS IT MOVES TOWARD WESTERN CUBA;
Aug. 12, 2004 — At 5 p.m. EDT, the center of Hurricane Charley was located near latitude 21.2 north, longitude 81.9 west or about 140 miles south-southeast of Havana, Cuba. Charley is now moving toward the north-northwest near 18 mph. A gradual turn toward the north is expected during the next 24 hours. On the forecast track, Charley is expected to pass near the Isle of Youth Thursday night and near Havana, Cuba, Friday morning. Weather conditions should begin to deteriorate over western Cuba during the next few hours, according to the NOAA National Hurricane Center in Miami, Fla. (Click NOAA satellite image for larger view of the eye of Hurricane Charley taken at 2:45 p.m. EDT on Aug. 12, 2004. Click here for high resolution version, which is a large file. Please credit “NOAA.”) Maximum
sustained winds are near 105 mph with higher gusts. This makes Charley
a Category Two hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson hurricane scale. Additional
strengthening is forecast during the next 24 hours, and Charley could
become a major hurricane later Thursday night or Friday. (Click
NOAA Hurricane Charley tracking map for larger view.) Storm
surge flooding of 10 to 14 feet can be expected along the south coast
of Cuba near and east of where the center makes landfall. In addition,
storm surge flooding of 2 to 4 feet, along with large and dangerous battering
waves, can be expected in the Florida keys. Storm surge flooding of 10
to 13 feet is also possible near and south of the where the center crosses
the Florida west coast. (Click NOAA satellite overhead image for
larger view of Hurricane Charley taken at 11:15 a.m. EDT on Aug. 12, 2004.
Click here for high resolution
version, which is a large file. Please credit “NOAA.”) At 5 p.m.
EDT, the hurricane warning has been extended northward along the Florida
west coast to Bayport. A hurricane warning is now in effect for the Florida
Keys from the Dry Tortugas to the Seven Mile Bridge and for the Florida
west coast from East Cape Sable northward to Bayport. The warning will
likely be extended northward later Thursday night. A hurricane warning
means that hurricane conditions are expected within the warning area during
the next 24 hours. Preparations should be rushed to completion. BONNIE WELL INLAND AND EXPECTED TO BECOME EXTRATROPICAL At
5 p.m. EDT, the center of Tropical Depression Bonnie was located near
latitude 31.1 north, longitude 83.0 west or about 30 miles northeast of
Valdosta, Ga. The depression is moving toward the northeast near 26 mph,
and this general motion is expected to continue during the next 24 hours.
(Click NOAA satellite for larger view of Tropical Storm Bonnie
taken at 12:15 a.m. EDT on Aug. 12, 2004, after coming ashore in Florida.
Click here for high resolution
version, which is a large file. Please credit “NOAA.”)
Additional
rainfall accumulations of 4 to 6 inches, with isolated higher amounts,
can be expected in association with Bonnie. At 5 p.m. EDT, all tropical storm warnings are discontinued. For storm
information specific to your area, please monitor products issued by NOAA
National Weather Service local forecast offices and statements from
local emergency management officials. Relevant
Web Sites NOAA
Satellite Services Division — Latest Images Significant
River Flood Outlook NOAA
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