Though damage was generally light, the storm affected several regions from the Bahamas to the U.S. East Coast.

Satellite imagery and Air Force reconnaissance reports documented the formation of a tropical depression early on September 25; a special statement was later issued by the National Hurricane Center (NHC) confirming the existence of the depression, and tropical cyclone advisories were initiated at 12 pm EDT.

The cyclone made landfall near Jupiter, Florida with sustained winds of about 50 mph (80 km/h) and subsequently moved inland.

Previously, a large high pressure area over the eastern United States had prevented the cyclone from moving northward.

The high moved away, allowing for Isidore to curve to the northeast, emerging over water near Jacksonville, Florida.

[4] A private meteorological service stated that Isidore was to intensify to hurricane status, leading to some confusion regarding preparations.

[5] Along the Treasure Coast of Florida, citrus farmers burned seedlings potentially infected with canker to prevent heavy rains from spreading the disease.

[6] Red Cross volunteers readied a shelter with supplies such as cots and sheets, though it remained unused.

[8] In Indian River, Martin, and St. Lucie counties, students were sent home early, and after-school actives were canceled.

[10] Farther to the south, in the Florida Keys, an emergency operations center was opened in response to the storm.

In northern portions of the state, peak rainfall totals ranged from 5 to 7 in (130 to 180 mm), much of which was associated with an intense convective band to the north and east of the cyclone's center.

[18] In Georgia, one tornado, ranked F1 on the Fujita scale, touched down in Brunswick, damaging a metal building's roof at a steel plant and 10 cars and a garage roof at a car dealership, and demolishing a metal hut at a National Guard Armory.