DATE=9/17/03

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

NUMBER=2-307619(CQ)

TITLE=ISABEL WED. (S)

BYLINE=JIM TEEPLE

DATELINE=MIAMI

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

/// EDS: Rerunning w/change from 100-thousand to 200-thousand in last graft.///

INTRO: High winds and heavy seas from Hurricane Isabel are pounding the coastline of the U.S. State of North Carolina. With winds of about 175 kilometers an hour, Isabel is the strongest hurricane to strike the East Coast of the United States in four years. V-O-A's Jim Teeple reports from our Miami bureau.

TEXT: Forecasters say as it moves closer to shore Hurricane Isabel will probably accelerate and the states of North Carolina and Virginia will be feeling the full brunt of Isabel by mid-day Thursday. Forecaster Eric Drake at the National Hurricane Center in Miami says the region will experience high winds and extremely heavy rainfall.

/// DRAKE ACTUALITY ///

We are expecting a lot of rain. Sixteen centimeters of rain is certainly not out of the question.

//// END ACTUALITY ///

Forecasters say Isabel will maintain its strength as it moves ashore and they are predicting storm surges of at least three meters in some areas.

About 200 thousand people have been told to evacuate coastal areas of North Carolina and Virginia, but as it moves ashore Isabel is expected to affect a wide area bringing high winds and flooding as far north as the states of Pennsylvania and New Jersey. (Signed)

NEB/JLT/RH/PT