Tropical Storm Isidore moved steadily northward across the central Gulf of Mexico on September 24th and September 25th before making landfall near Grand Isle, Louisiana during the early morning of September 26th. The tropical storm moved north across southeast Louisiana and by the evening of the 26th was located in central Mississippi where it was downgraded to a tropical depression.
Every event with a place to put it; 6 filed by county or forecast zone are drawn at its center, in a lighter ring. Tap one for its entry below.
Deaths and injuries are direct and indirect together, as the offices filed them. Damage is property and crops in the dollars of the year, not adjusted for inflation, and only where an office estimated it.
The episode as NWS LIX wrote it up.
Tropical Storm Isidore moved steadily northward across the central Gulf of Mexico on September 24th and September 25th before making landfall near Grand Isle, Louisiana during the early morning of September 26th. The tropical storm moved north across southeast Louisiana and by the evening of the 26th was located in central Mississippi where it was downgraded to a tropical depression. Tropical Storm Isidore had a large circulation with tropical storm force winds extending several hundred miles from its center. Prior to moving onto the Yucatan Peninsula earlier in the week and weakening, Isidore was classified as a major hurricane.The large circulation caused a significant storm surge over a large area for a tropical storm. Tide levels were generally 4 to 7 feet above normal, with locally higher levels, across much of coastal Mississippi. Significant beach erosion occurred along the coast and on the barrier islands. The maximum storm surge readings on the Mississippi Coast was 7.61 ft NGVD at the Corps of Engineers tide gage at Gulfport Harbor, and 6.86 ft NGVD in Biloxi Bay at Point Cadet.There were two fatalities on the Mississippi Coast related to the tropical storm; one direct and another indirect. A 40 year old man in a van auto parked in parking lot drowned when storm surge flood waters flooded the parking lot during the early morning hours of Thursday, Sep 26, 2002. A 66 year old man suffered a heart attack and died in the Point Cadet area, and emergency medical units were unable to reach him due to flood waters. Rainfall amounts associated with Isidore were generally 5 to 8 inches and resulted in some river flooding and flash flooding. Approximately 2,500 homes in Hancock County, 1,400 homes in Harrison County and 50 homes and business in Jackson County were flooded, primarily as the result of storm surge, with river flooding and flash flooding causing some of the flood damage. In addition, around 300 businesses in Harrison county received flood damage. Evacuation of approximately 600 people in Harrison County, primarily from the Point Cadet area, and around 40 people in Hancock County occurred early on September 26, 2002 to rescue people in areas flooded by storm surge.As the tropical storm moved inland, heavy rain resulted in flash flooding in Pearl River, Amite and Pike Counties, with several roads and some homes and businesses flooded.Most areas recorded sustained winds of 25 to 35 mph with some gusts to 40 to 50 mph in squalls. The highest recorded winds on land areas were at Gulfport Airport with a maximum sustained wind of 37 mph and a gust of 50 mph. Approximately 800 people sought refuge in shelters across coastal Mississippi.Damage estimate was based on information from the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency on approved state and federal assistance as of late November 2002, and on general information concerning damages related to Tropical Storm Isidore released by the Insurance Services Office in late October 2002.
The national radar mosaic for the moment the first event began.
5 flash flood, 4 tropical storm. Local standard time, as filed.
As the offices recorded each death: direct deaths were caused by the weather itself, indirect ones by something it set in motion.
| Event | Date | Age | Sex | Where | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tropical Storm, Harrison | 2002-09-26 | 40 | Male | Vehicle/Towed Trailer | Direct |
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Mississippi in 2002Every state in 2002This day in weather historyWarnings in Mississippi, September 2002The 2002 hurricane season
NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Storm Events Database, compiled from the National Weather Service’s monthly Storm Data. Complete through 2026-06; NCEI adds each month about 75 days after it ends and revises past years a few times a year. Rebuilt 2026-10-01. Each event’s entry at NCEI: 5320811, 5320812, 5320813, 5320814, 5320809, 5320810, 5320808, 5320806, 5320807.