ALEX MOVING AWAY FROM THE U.S. AFTER BATTERING THE OUTER BANKS

Aug. 3, 2004 — At 5 p.m. EDT, the center of Hurricane Alex was located near latitude 35.8 north, longitude 74.6 west or about 65 miles northeast of Cape Hatteras, N.C. Alex is moving toward the northeast near 17 mph, and this motion is expected to continue over the next 24 hours, according to the NOAA National Hurricane Center in Miami, Fla. (Click NOAA satellite image for larger view of Hurricane Alex taken at 1:45 p.m. EDT on Aug. 3, 2004. Click here for high resolution version, which is a large file. Please credit “NOAA.”)

Maximum sustained winds are near 100 mph with higher gusts. Little change in strength is forecast during the next 24 hours.

Hurricane force winds extend outward up to 35 miles from the center, and tropical storm force winds extend outward up to 105 miles. (Click NOAA image for larger view of Hurricane Alex tracking map.)

Estimated minimum central pressure is 972 mb, 28.70 inches.

Coastal storm surge flooding should be subsiding Tuesday evening. High surf and rip currents will affect much of the mid-Atlantic U.S. coastal areas for the next day or so.

At 5 p.m. EDT, all warnings are discontinued south of Cape Lookout, N.C.

A hurricane warning remains in effect from Cape Lookout to Oregon Inlet, N.C., including the Pamlico Sound.

A tropical storm warning remains in effect from north of Oregon Inlet to the North Carolina/Virginia border, including the Albemarle Sound. All warnings will likely be discontinued Tuesday evening.

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.

NOAA is dedicated to enhancing economic security and national safety through the prediction and research of weather and climate-related events and providing environmental stewardship of the nation�s coastal and marine resources. NOAA is part of the U.S. Department of Commerce.

Relevant Web Sites
NOAA National Hurricane Center — Get the latest advisories here

NOAA Satellite Services Division — Latest Images

NOAA 3-D Satellite Images

NOAA Enhanced Satellite Images

NOAA Atlantic Hurricanes Database — 150 Years of Atlantic Hurricanes

Above-normal 2004 Atlantic Hurricane Season Predicted

Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale

NOAA Flood Products

NOAA Inland Flooding Information

Significant River Flood Outlook

NOAA Rainfall Graphics
24-hour Observed Precipitation as of 8 a.m. today

Latest rainfall data as of 8 a.m. EDT today

NOAA Buoys

NOAA Tides Online

NOAA Satellite Images — The latest satellite views

Colorized Satellite Images

NOAA Hurricanes Page

NOAA Storm Watch — Get the latest severe weather information across the USA

Media Contact:
Frank Lepore, NOAA Hurricane Center, (305) 229-4404