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Atlantic basin (Table 1). The greatest ccntral pressure drop in an Atlantic Basin hurricane occurred in Hurricanc Gilbert in September 1988. Its central pressure dropped 72 mb in 24 hours and its maximum sustained winds increased from an estimated 125 mph to an estimated 185 mph. Figure 2 is a satellite image of Katrina near peak intensity on August 28.
HURRICANE	YEAR	MINIMUM PRESSURE
Hurricane Wilma	2005	882 mb
Hurricane Gilbert	1988	888 mb
The Labor Day Hurricane	1935	892 mb
Hurricane Rita	2005	895 mb
Hurricane Allen	1980	899 mb
Hurricane Katrina	2005	902 mb
Hurricane Camille	1969	905 mb
Hurricane Mitch	1998	905 mb
Hurricane Ivan	2004	910 mb
Hurricane Janet	1955	914 mb
Tabic 1. The ten most intense hurricanes (bused on central pressure) in the Atlantic basin 1851-2005.
On August 28, Katrina made a gradual turn toward the northwest and north toward the ccntral Gulf of Mexico coast. During this period, Katrina’s wind field expanded considerably with hurrieane-force winds extending about 125 miles from the center and tropical storm-forcc winds 230 miles from the center.
Figure 2. NOAA-16 satellite image of Katrina at 3:11 p.m. Central Daylight Time (CDT) August 28, 2005 near peak intensity (minimum central pressure 902 mb. maximum sustained winds 175 mph ).
At 6:10 a.m. Ccntral Daylight Time (CDT) August 29, the centcr of Katrina made landfall in Plaquemines Parish, LA, just south of Buras, as a Category 3 hurricane with estimated maximum sustained winds near 125 mph and a minimum ccntral pressure of
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