Hurricane Isabel

Template:Mergefrom Template:Short description Template:Other hurricanes Template:Distinguish Template:Use American English Template:Use mdy dates Template:Infobox weather eventTemplate:Infobox weather event/NWSTemplate:Infobox weather event/EffectsTemplate:Infobox weather event/Footer Hurricane Isabel was a Category 5 Atlantic hurricane that struck the east coast of the United States in September 2003. The ninth named storm, fifth hurricane, and second major hurricane of the season, Isabel formed in the eastern Atlantic Ocean on September 6 from a tropical wave. It moved northwestward through an area with light wind shear and warm waters, resulting in strengthening. Isabel reached peak winds of Template:Convert on September 11. After fluctuating in intensity for four days, Isabel gradually weakened and made landfall on the Outer Banks of North Carolina, with winds of Template:Convert on September 18, or a Category 2 on the Saffir-Simpson scale. Isabel quickly weakened over land and became extratropical over western Pennsylvania on the next day. On September 20, the extratropical remnants of Isabel were absorbed into another system over Eastern Canada.

In North Carolina, the storm surge from Isabel washed out a portion of Hatteras Island to form what was unofficially known as Isabel Inlet. Damage was greatest along the Outer Banks, where thousands of homes were damaged or even destroyed. The worst of the effects of Isabel occurred in Virginia, especially in the Hampton Roads area and along the shores of rivers as far west and north as Richmond and Baltimore. Virginia reported the most deaths and damage from the hurricane. About 64% of the damage and 69% of the deaths occurred in North Carolina and Virginia. Electric service was disrupted in areas of Virginia for several days, some more rural areas were without electricity for weeks, and local flooding caused thousands of dollars in damage.

Moderate to severe damage extended up the Atlantic coastline and as far inland as West Virginia. Roughly six million people were left without electric service in the eastern United States from the strong winds of Isabel. Rainfall from the storm extended from South Carolina to Maine, and westward to Michigan. Throughout the path of Isabel, damage totaled about $3.6 billion (2003 USD). 16 deaths in seven U.S. states were directly related to the hurricane, with 35 deaths in six states and one Canadian province indirectly related to the hurricane.

Meteorological history

Template:Storm path A tropical wave moved off the western coast of Africa on September 1, and continued westward. <ref name="tcr">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> The system gradually became better organized, and Dvorak classifications began early on September 5. Based on the development of a closed surface circulation, it is estimated the system developed into Tropical Depression Thirteen early on September 6. Hours later, it intensified into Tropical Storm Isabel,<ref name="tcr"/> the ninth of the season,<ref name="season"/> though operationally the National Hurricane Center did not begin issuing advisories until 13 hours after it first developed.<ref name="disco1">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Located within an area of light wind shear and warm waters, Isabel gradually organized as curved bands developed around a circular area of deep convection near the center.<ref name="disco2">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> It steadily strengthened as it moved to the west-northwest, developing a large ragged eye located near the deepest convection. On September 7, Isabel strengthened into a hurricane, the fifth hurricane of the season.<ref name="disco6">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name="season">Template:Cite report</ref>

The eye, overall convective pattern, and outflow steadily improved in organization,<ref name="isabel7">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> and deep convection quickly surrounded the Template:Convert-wide eye.<ref name="disco8">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Isabel intensified on September 8 to reach major hurricane status, or Category 3 status, while located Template:Convert east-northeast of Barbuda; this made it the second major hurricane of the season.<ref name="tcr"/><ref name="season"/> On September 9, Isabel reached an initial peak intensity of Template:Convert for around 24 hours, a minimal Category 4 hurricane on the Saffir–Simpson Hurricane Scale.<ref name="tcr"/> Early on September 10, the eyewall became less defined, the convection near the eye became eroded, and northeasterly outflow became slightly restricted.<ref name="disco16">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> As a result, Isabel weakened slightly to a Category 3 hurricane. The hurricane turned more to the west due to the influence of the Bermuda-Azores High.<ref name="tcr"/>

File:Isabel 2003-09-14 1755Z.jpg

Satellite imagery of Hurricane Isabel displaying annular characteristics on September 14, as a powerful Category 5 hurricane

Late on September 10, Isabel restrengthened to a Category 4 hurricane after convection deepened near the increasingly organizing eyewall.<ref name="disco19">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> The hurricane continued to intensify, and Isabel reached its peak intensity of Template:Convert and a minimum central pressure of 915 mbar (hPa; 27.02 inHg) on September 11, a Category 5 hurricane on the Saffir–Simpson Hurricane Scale.<ref name="tcr"/> Due to an eyewall replacement cycle, Isabel weakened slightly, though it retained Category 5 status for 24 hours.<ref name="disco26">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> As Isabel underwent another eyewall replacement cycle, outflow degraded in appearance and convection around the eye weakened.<ref name="isabel28">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Early on September 13, Isabel weakened to a strong Category 4 hurricane.<ref name="tcr"/> After completing the replacement cycle, the hurricane's large Template:Convert wide eye became better defined,<ref name="disco30">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> and late on September 13, Isabel re-attained Category 5 status.<ref name="tcr"/> The hurricane restrengthened despite moving over cooler waters from earlier Hurricane Fabian moving through the same area, partly because of a supply of moist air from its eye.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref> During this time, Isabel attained annular characteristics, becoming highly symmetrical in shape and sporting a wide eye.<ref name="tcr" /> Hurricane Isabel also displayed a "pinwheel" eye, a rare feature that is found in some annular tropical cyclones.<ref name="advances">Template:Cite book</ref> A NOAA Hurricane Hunter Reconnaissance Aircraft flying into the hurricane launched a dropsonde which measured an instantaneous wind speed of Template:Convert, the strongest instantaneous wind speed recorded in an Atlantic hurricane.<ref name="iswav">Template:Cite journal</ref> Cloud tops warmed again shortly thereafter,<ref name="32lawrence">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> and Isabel weakened to a strong Category 4 hurricane early on September 14. Later that day, it re-organized, and for the third time, Isabel attained Category 5 status while located Template:Convert north of San Juan, Puerto Rico. By that time, the track had shifted more to the west-northwest.<ref name="tcr"/>

File:Hurricane Isabel from ISS.jpg

Hurricane Isabel as seen from the International Space Station

Cloud tops around the center warmed again early on September 15, and Isabel weakened to a Category 4 hurricane.<ref name="tcr"/> Later that day, the inner core of deep convection began to deteriorate, while the eye decayed in appearance. As a ridge to its northwest built southeastward, it resulted in Isabel decelerating as it turned to the north-northwest.<ref name="disco38">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Increasing vertical wind shear contributed in weakening the hurricane further, and Isabel weakened to a Category 2 hurricane on September 16, while located Template:Convert southeast of Cape Hatteras, North Carolina.<ref name="tcr"/> Convection remained minimal, though outflow retained excellent organization,<ref name="disco48">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> and Isabel remained a Category 2 hurricane for two days, until it made landfall between Cape Lookout and Ocracoke Island on September 18, with winds of Template:Convert. Isabel was a large hurricane at landfall, with a windfield of Template:Convert.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> The system weakened after it made landfall, though due to its fast forward motion, Isabel remained a hurricane until it reached western Virginia, early on September 19. After passing through West Virginia as a tropical storm, Isabel became extratropical over Western Pennsylvania, near Pittsburgh. The system continued turned northward, and crossed Lake Erie into Canada. Early on September 20, the extratropical remnant of Isabel was absorbed by a larger extratropical storm, over the Cochrane District of Ontario.<ref name="tcr"/>

Preparations

File:Isabel 2003-09-18 1555Z.jpg

Hurricane Isabel making landfall in North Carolina on September 18

Two days before Isabel made landfall, the National Hurricane Center issued a hurricane watch from Little River, South Carolina to Chincoteague, Virginia, including the Pamlico and Albemarle Sounds and the lower Chesapeake Bay. The NHC also issued a tropical storm watch south of Little River, South Carolina to the mouth of the Santee River, as well as from Chincoteague, Virginia northward to Little Egg Inlet, New Jersey. Hurricane and tropical storm warnings were gradually issued for portions of the East Coast of the United States. By the time Isabel made landfall, a tropical storm warning existed from Chincoteague, Virginia to Fire Island, New York and from Cape Fear, North Carolina to the mouth of the Santee River in South Carolina, and a hurricane warning existed from Chincoteague, Virginia to Cape Fear. Landfall forecasts were very accurate; from three days prior, the average track forecast error for its landfall was only Template:Convert, and for 48 hours in advance the average track error was Template:Convert.<ref name="tcr"/>

Officials declared mandatory evacuations for 24 counties in North Carolina, Virginia, and Maryland, though in general not many left. According to a survey conducted by the United States Department of Commerce, evacuation rates were estimated as follows; 45% in the Outer Banks, 23% in the area around the Pamlico Sound, 23% in Virginia, and about 15% in Maryland.<ref name="assess">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> The threat of Isabel resulted in the evacuation of hundreds of thousands of residents, primarily in North Carolina and Virginia, and included more than 12,000 residents staying in emergency shelters.<ref name="scotsman">Template:Cite news</ref>

19 major airports along the East Coast of the United States were closed, with more than 1,500 flights canceled. The Washington Metro and Metrobus system closed prior to the arrival of the storm, and Amtrak canceled nearly all trains south of the nation's capital. Schools and businesses throughout its path closed prior to Isabel's arrival to allow time to prepare; hardware and home improvement stores reported brisk business of plywood, flashlights, batteries, and portable generators, as residents prepared for the storm's potential impact. The federal government was closed excluding emergency staff members.<ref name="scotsman"/> The United States Navy ordered the removal of 40 ships and submarines and dozens of aircraft from naval sites near Norfolk, Virginia.<ref name="cnnn">Template:Cite news</ref>

A contingency plan was established at the Tomb of the Unknowns at Arlington National Cemetery that, should the winds exceed Template:Convert, the guards could take positions in the trophy room (above the Tomb Plaza and providing continual sight of the Tomb) but the plan was never implemented. However, it spawned an urban legend that the Third Infantry sent orders to seek shelter, orders that were deliberately disobeyed.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

News stations were stationed with crews along the Jersey shore several days in advance of Isabel to provide breaking news and live conditions.<ref name="poynter">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Many residents prepared their houses by boarding windows and purchasing emergency supplies. The Sussex County chapter of the American Red Cross advised local high schools to be on stand-by as potential shelters in the event evacuation occurred.<ref name="patmindos">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Emergency coordinators in several counties were on alert, though none issued evacuations.<ref name="arrlweb">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> In preparation for anticipated power outages, the Jersey Central Power and Light company arranged to receive more electrical crews from its parent company, FirstEnergy.<ref name="patmindos"/> Other utility workers from various locations as far as Canada left for the state in the event of power outages.<ref name="foxnews">Template:Cite news</ref> Several flights in and out of the state were delayed or canceled,<ref name="cnn918">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> and the Cape May-Lewes Ferry canceled travel across the Delaware Bay during the duration of Isabel. In Atlantic City, casino workers prepared for coastal flooding by placing sandbags at boardwalk entrances.<ref name="foxnews"/> New Jersey Transit workers secured its buses, railways, and light rail equipment. To ensure service would remain accessible during and after the hurricane, NJ Transit prepared backup generators, pumps, and chainsaws, with workers inspecting trains and the paths of the lines.<ref name="njtransit">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> FEMA mobilized and dispatched an Urban Search and Rescue Task Force of 28 people to the state for possible rescue duty.<ref name="dhs">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Days before the storm made landfall, the Salvation Army prepared food and aid for potentially affected citizens.<ref name="salavation">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> In anticipation for the effects of Isabel, Governor Jim McGreevey declared a state of emergency, which allowed the Federal Emergency Management Agency to deal with the situation.<ref name="mikedererap918">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

The threat of the hurricane canceled some flights in and out Pennsylvania. To compensate, Delta Air Lines allowed those flying to or from Philadelphia, Allentown, and Harrisburg to reschedule to a later date. American Airlines offered a similar option. United Airlines and United Express opted to waive charging fees for travelers in and out of the state.<ref name="cnn2">Template:Cite news</ref> Prior to the arrival of Isabel, Governor Ed Rendell declared a state of emergency for the state.<ref name="cnn">Template:Cite news</ref> The Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency activated a support team to assist Urban Search and Rescue operations as part of the threat from the storm. The state's National Guard placed 2,990 guardsmen on Emergency Condition 5 status to be deployed anywhere in the state for emergency support, with other guardsmen readying equipment such as generators, heavy trucks, water trailers, and engineer equipment for deployment. State police officers were readied for deployment, while the state health department contacted hospitals to ensure generators were in working condition. The state Environmental Protection Agency prepared for the storm by monitoring the status of all dams, water treatment facilities, and nuclear plants. In addition, the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission stationed extra workers to patrol the highways in poor drainage areas, with extra equipment prepared for quick response for potential road blockage.<ref name="pema">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Prior to the arrival of the storm, officials from PECO Energy prepared its largest workforce in its history with 1,500 workers, including employees from Commonwealth Edison in Illinois and Detroit Edison.<ref name="prsm">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

In New York, Governor George Pataki urged residents to purchase emergency supplies and to fill cars with gasoline. The State Emergency Management Office began preparing for the hurricane about a week before it moved ashore. The office also issued a Level 1 emergency activation, with a planning unit readying contingency plans and in coordinating the efforts of other state offices. The state's National Guard began preliminary preparations for possible support efforts by reviewing the list of personnel able to be mobilized in the event of an emergency. Army and Air National Guard officials identified needed equipment in the event of an emergency, such as helicopters, generators, high-axle vehicles, and communications equipment. State police officers established contingency plans for personnel and equipment to assist as needed. The State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation ensured needed equipment were operational, and also secured buildings with sandbags to prevent flooding.<ref name="nysdot">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}Template:Dead link</ref>

On September 18, the Canadian Hurricane Centre issued heavy rainfall and wind warnings for portions of southern Ontario. A gale warning was also issued for Lake Ontario, eastern Lake Erie, the Saint Lawrence River and Georgian Bay.<ref name="chc918">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name="chc919">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name="chc919a">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> A news report on September 14 warned conditions could be similar to the disaster caused by Hurricane Hazel 49 years prior, resulting in widespread media coverage on the hurricane.<ref name="chc03">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Researchers on a Convair 580 flight studied the structure of Isabel transitioning into an extratropical storm, after two similar studies for Hurricane Michael in 2000 and Tropical Storm Karen in 2001. While flying in a thunderstorm, ice accumulation forced the plane to descend.<ref name="summary">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Impact

Deaths and damage by region

Region	Deaths		Damage (2003 USD)
	Direct	Indirect
Florida	1	0	0
North Carolina	1	2	$450 million
Virginia	10	22	>$1.85 billion
West Virginia	0	0	$20 million
Washington, D.C.	0	1	$125 million
Maryland	1	6	$820 million
Delaware	0	0	$40 million
Pennsylvania	0	2	$160 million
New Jersey	1	1	$50 million
New York	1	0	$90 million
Rhode Island	1	0	0
Ontario	0	1	Unknown
Total	16	35	$3.6 billion

Strong winds from Isabel extended from North Carolina to New England and westward to West Virginia. The winds, combined with previous rainfall which moistened the soil, downed many trees and power lines across its path, leaving about 6 million electricity customers without power at some point. Parts of coastal Virginia, especially in the Hampton Roads and Northeast North Carolina areas, were without electricity for almost a month. Coastal areas suffered from waves and its powerful storm surge, with areas in eastern North Carolina and southeast Virginia reporting severe damage from both winds and the storm surge. Throughout its path, Isabel resulted in $5.5 billion in damage (2003 USD) and 51 deaths, of which 16 were directly related to the storm's effects.<ref>Template:Cite report</ref><ref name="assessment">Template:Cite report</ref> The governors of Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Maryland, New Jersey, and Delaware declared states of emergency.<ref name="scotsman"/> Isabel was the first major hurricane to threaten the Mid-Atlantic States and the Upper South since Hurricane Floyd in September 1999. Isabel's greatest effect was due to flood damage, the worst in some areas of Virginia since 1972's Hurricane Agnes. More than 60 million people were affected to some degree—a similar number to Floyd but more than any other hurricane in recent memory.<ref name="ncdcisfl">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Caribbean and Southeast United States

File:Isabel 2003 rainfall.gif

Rainfall totals from Hurricane Isabel

Powerful surf affected the northern coastlines of the islands in the Greater Antilles. Strong swells also lashed the Bahamas. During most hurricanes, the location of the Bahamas prevents powerful swells of Atlantic hurricanes from striking southeast Florida. However, the combination of the location, forward speed, and strength of Isabel produced strong swells through the Providence Channel onto a narrow Template:Convert stretch of the southeastern Florida coastline; wave heights peaked at Template:Convert at Delray Beach.<ref name="iswav"/> The swells capsized a watercraft and injured its two passengers at Boynton Beach, and a swimmer required assistance to be rescued near Juno Beach. Minor beach erosion was reported in Palm Beach County.<ref name="flncdc">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> In the northern portion of the state, waves reached up to Template:Convert in height at Flagler Beach, causing the Flagler Beach Pier to be closed due to damaged boards from the waves.<ref name="flncdc2">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Rip currents from Isabel killed a surfer at an unguarded beach in Nassau County, with an additional six people requiring rescue from the currents.<ref name="flncdc3">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

In northeastern South Carolina, the outer rainbands produced moderate winds reaching Template:Convert at Myrtle Beach. Rainfall was light, peaking at Template:Convert in Loris.<ref name="wilnws">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

North Carolina

{{#invoke:Labelled list hatnote|labelledList|Main article|Main articles|Main page|Main pages}} Isabel produced moderate to heavy damage across eastern North Carolina, totaling $450 million (2003 USD).<ref name="tcr"/> Damage was heaviest in Dare County, where storm surge flooding and strong winds damaged thousands of houses.<ref name="ncncdc">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> The storm surge produced a Template:Convert wide inlet on Hatteras Island, unofficially known as Isabel Inlet, isolating Hatteras by road for two months.<ref name="outban">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Strong winds downed hundreds of trees of across the state, leaving up to 700,000 residents without power. Most areas with power outages had power restored within a few days.<ref name="ncncdc"/> The hurricane directly killed one person and indirectly killed two in the state.<ref name="isab">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Virginia

{{#invoke:Labelled list hatnote|labelledList|Main article|Main articles|Main page|Main pages}}

File:Hurricane Isabel flood water.jpg

Flood waters at Langley AFB, Hampton, Virginia as a result of Hurricane Isabel

The storm surge assailed much of southeastern Virginia causing the worst flooding seen in the area since the 1933 Chesapeake–Potomac hurricane, peaking at an estimated Template:Convert in Richmond along the James River. The surge caused significant damage to homes along river ways,<ref name="assessment"/> especially along the middle reaches of the James River basin.<ref name="rain">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> The strong storm surge surpassed the floodgate to the Midtown Tunnel while workers attempted to close the gate; about Template:Convert of water flooded the tunnel entirely in just 40 minutes, with the workers barely able to escape.<ref name=autogenerated4>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> The damage to the electrical grid and flooding kept Old Dominion University, Norfolk State University, Virginia Commonwealth University, University of Richmond, The College of William & Mary and many of the region's other major educational institutions closed for almost a week. Further inland, heavy rainfall was reported, peaking at Template:Convert in Sherando, Virginia,<ref name="rain"/> causing damage and severe flash flooding. Winds from the hurricane destroyed over 1,000 houses and damaged 9,000 more;<ref name="ncdc1">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> damage in the state totaled over $1.85 billion (2003 USD), among the costliest tropical cyclones in Virginia history.<ref name="assess"/> The passage of Isabel also resulted in 32 deaths in the state, 10 directly from the storm's effects and 22 indirectly related.<ref name="tcr"/>

Mid-Atlantic

{{#invoke:Labelled list hatnote|labelledList|Main article|Main articles|Main page|Main pages}} About 1.24 million people lost power throughout Maryland and Washington, D.C. The worst of Isabel's effects came from its storm surge, which inundated areas along the coast and resulted in severe beach erosion. In Eastern Maryland, hundreds of buildings were damaged by the storm surge and related tidal flooding. The most severe flooding occurred in the southern portions of Dorchester and Somerset counties and on Kent Island in Queen Anne's County. Thousands of houses were affected in Central Maryland, with severe storm surge flooding reported in Baltimore and Annapolis. Washington, D.C. sustained moderate damage, primarily from the winds. Throughout Maryland and Washington, damage totaled about $945 million (2003 USD), with only one direct fatality due to flooding.<ref name="esncdc">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name="midncdc">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name="wmdncdc">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name="dcncdc">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

The effects of the hurricane in Delaware were compounded by flooding caused by the remnants of Tropical Storm Henri days before.<ref name="drc">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Winds reached Template:Convert in Lewes.<ref name="tcr"/> The winds knocked down numerous trees, tree limbs, and power lines across the state,<ref name="delncdc">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> leaving at least 15,300 without power.<ref name="isabel1">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Numerous low-lying areas were flooded due to high surf, strong storm surge, or run-off from flooding further inland.<ref name="delncdc"/> The passage of Hurricane Isabel resulted in $40 million in damage (2003 USD) in Delaware.<ref name="tcr"/>

Moving through West Virginia as a tropical storm, Isabel produced wind gusts of 46 mph (74 km/h) in Martinsburg.<ref name="tcr"/> Rainfall reached Template:Convert at a station near Sugar Grove.Template:Tropical Cyclone Rainfall in the Mid Atlantic United States Across the state, the storm resulted in about $10 million in damage.<ref name="tcr"/> Heavy rainfall in combination with the strong wind gusts knocked down trees, which fell onto power lines, cars, and houses. Flash flooding also occurred along rivers, which caused mudslides, washed out two bridges, and broke a levee. Two people required rescue after driving into flooded waters in Jefferson County.<ref name="wvncdc">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

File:Isabel 2003-09-19 1820Z.jpg

Hurricane Isabel's extratropical remnant over the Northeastern United States on September 19

The passage of Isabel through Pennsylvania resulted in two deaths and about $160 million in damage.<ref name="tcr"/> One person died from carbon monoxide poisoning, believed to be caused due to improperly ventilated generators in an area affected by the power outages.<ref name="mono">Template:Cite news</ref> The other death occurred when a tree struck a motorist in Lancaster.<ref name="nwscen">Template:Cite report</ref> Wind gusts reached Template:Convert in Forks Township, and Template:Convert in Philadelphia.<ref name="sencdc">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> The winds knocked down trees and power lines, leaving 1.4 million customers across the state without power. Dozens of trees and houses were also damaged by the fallen trees, and roads were closed.<ref name="sencdc"/><ref name="nwscen"/> High tides caused flooding along low-lying areas of the Delaware River.<ref name="nwsmh">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Although well to the east of Isabel's center, New Jersey experienced gale-force winds, with gusts to Template:Convert recorded in Cape May. The hurricane killed two people in the state. A tree struck and killed a motorist in Independence Township, and high waves killed a swimmer off Wildwood Crest.<ref name="njncdc"/> Statewide, damage totaled $25 million.<ref name="tcr"/> Strong winds knocked down trees and power lines across the state, leaving at least 382,000 people without power. High waves and tides eroded beaches along the state's southern coast.<ref name="njncdc">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> In North Jersey, the high winds caused three injuries, one due to a fallen tree, and the others due to broken glass. In Union County, storm debris forced the cancelation of schools.<ref name="njncdc2">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

In New York, one person drowned while surfing off Long Beach.<ref name="nyncdc">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Statewide, the hurricane left at least $45 million in damage.<ref name="tcr"/> Strong winds knocked down trees across the state, injuring two drivers in the New York area.<ref name="nyncdc"/> In the New York City area, about 1.1 million people lost power, most of which was restored within a day.<ref name="ap920a">Template:Cite news</ref> The hurricane brought unusual birds to the western portion of the state, including petrels and shearwaters normally found in salt-water regions or over the open ocean. Most of the birds died within a few days due to the sudden change in habitat.<ref name="bird">Template:Cite news</ref> In Cayuga County, downed power lines lit one building on fire.<ref name="ps920">Template:Cite news</ref>

Elsewhere

Isabel's effects extended into New England, including light rainfall and strong wind gusts. High surf killed a man in Narragansett, Rhode Island.<ref name="rincdc">Template:Cite report</ref>Template:Tropical Cyclone Rainfall for New England In Vermont, wind gusts reached Template:Convert in Starksboro. The winds knocked down a few trees and power lines, some of which fell onto vehicles.<ref>Template:Cite report</ref>

Isabel dropped light to moderate precipitation across the eastern half of Ohio, with isolated locations reporting over Template:Convert.<ref name="rain"/> Moisture from Isabel dropped light rainfall across eastern Michigan and peaked at Template:Convert at Mount Clemens. Additionally, Doppler weather radar estimated rainfall approached Template:Convert in St. Clair County. No damage was reported from Isabel in the region.<ref name="Michigan">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Swells from Isabel produced moderate surf along the Atlantic coast of Nova Scotia, particularly in the Gulf of Maine.<ref name="chc918"/> Isabel also produced rough surf in Lake Ontario, with waves reaching Template:Convert along the western portion. At Hamilton, the waves surpassed seawalls and produced spray onto coastal streets.<ref name="summary"/> Rainfall peaked at Template:Convert, which caused minor flooding and led to one traffic fatality. About 27,000 people lost power, mostly near Toronto.<ref>Template:Cite report</ref> The strong pressure gradient between Isabel and a high pressure system over eastern Canada produced strong easterly winds across lakes Ontario and Erie.<ref name="summary"/> A buoy in Lake Ontario reported a peak gust of Template:Convert,<ref name="chc920">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> and gusts reached as strong as Template:Convert at Port Colborne, Ontario.<ref name="tcr"/>

Aftermath

File:Hatteras Island damage by Hurricane Isabel.jpg

Damage to the Barrier Islands after Hurricane Isabel (USGS)

The widespread damage from Isabel across the eastern United States prompted then-President George W. Bush to declare disaster areas across the entirety of Delaware and Maryland, as well as 36 North Carolina counties, 77 Virginia counties or independent cities, 6 West Virginia counties, and 7 Pennsylvania counties, as well as the District of Columbia. The disaster declaration allocated the use of federal funds for rebuilding and providing aid in the aftermath of hurricane Isabel.<ref>

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|CitationClass=web }}</ref> By about four months after the passage of the hurricane, disaster aid totaled about $516 million (2004 USD), primarily in North Carolina and Virginia. Over 166,000 residents applied for individual assistance, with about $117 million (2004 USD) approved for residents to assist with temporary housing and home repairs. About 50,000 business owners applied for Small Business Administration loans, with about $178 million (2004 USD) approved for the assistance loans. About 40,000 people visited local disaster recovery centers, designed to provide additional information regarding the aftermath of the hurricane.<ref name="ncfema">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name="vafema">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name="mdfema">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name="defema">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name="pafema">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

In North Carolina, hundreds of residents were stranded in Hatteras following the formation of Isabel Inlet.<ref name=autogenerated2>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> People who were not residents were not allowed to be on the Outer Banks for two weeks after the hurricane due to damaged road conditions. When visitors were allowed to return, many ventured to see the new inlet, despite a 1-mile (1.6-km) walk from the nearest road.<ref name="outban"/> Initially, long-term solutions to the Isabel Inlet such as building a bridge or a ferry system were considered, though they were ultimately canceled in favor of pumping sand and filling the inlet. Coastal geologists were opposed to the solution, stating the evolution of the Outer Banks is dependent on inlets from hurricanes.<ref name="natgeo">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Dredging operations began on October 17, about a month after the hurricane struck. The United States Geological Survey used sand from the ferry channel to the southwest of Hatteras Island, a choice made to minimize the impact to submerged aquatic vegetation and due to the channel being filled somewhat during the hurricane.<ref name="fem3">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> On November 22, about two months after the hurricane struck, North Carolina Highway 12 and Hatteras Island were reopened to public access. On the same day, the ferry between Hatteras and Ocracoke was reopened.<ref name="outban"/>

Across the northeastern United States, workers immediately began repairing the power failures by clearing tree branches and replacing fuses and circuit breakers. PECO energy restored power to 72% of the affected customers by two days after the storm,<ref name="iser2">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> with 85% restored by two nights.<ref name="iser3"/> By two days after the storm, Pennsylvania Power and Light restored power to about 80% of its impacted customers,<ref name="iser2"/> with about 93% restored by two nights after the storm.<ref name="iser3"/> By five days after Isabel, most power outages in southeastern Pennsylvania were repaired,<ref name="iser4">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> with all outages restored by a week after the hurricane.<ref name="iser5">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Allegheny Power restored power to about 20% of its customers by two days after the storm.<ref name="iser2"/> Most power outages for the company were restored by five days after the hurricane,<ref name="iser4"/> with all power completely restored by a week after Isabel.<ref name="iser5"/> In West Virginia, the power outages were restored within a week.<ref name="iser3">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Power workers throughout Canada assisted the severely affected power companies from Maryland to North Carolina.<ref name="fact">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Hydro-Québec sent 25 teams to the New York City area to assist in power outages.<ref name="cbcis">Template:Cite news</ref> Officials in Connecticut sent a tractor trailer truck with water and ice to help residents in North Carolina.<ref name="cema">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

In the Chesapeake Bay, the passage of the hurricane caused an algal bloom of phytoplankton, which was the largest bloom in the fall ever observed in the body of water. By two weeks after Isabel, the water returned to normal levels.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref> The hurricane also disrupted the flight pattern of several bird species, leading to unusual birds being spotted across upstate New York and Vermont.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref>

Retirement

Template:See also Because of widespread property damage and extensive death toll, the World Meteorological Organization retired the name Isabel in the spring of 2004, and it will never again be used for a North Atlantic tropical cyclone. It was replaced with Ida for the 2009 season.<ref name="names 2008-13">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name="NHOP 04">Template:Cite report</ref>

See also

• Hurricane Fran
• Hurricane Ernesto (2006)
• Hurricane Hazel
• Hurricane Hugo
• Hurricane Irene
• Hurricane Irma
• Hurricane Isaias
• Hurricane Sandy
• Hurricane Florence, a major hurricane that took a similar path towards the Carolinas and Virginia
• Tropical Storm Fay (2020), a tropical storm that hit the Carolinas and the East Coast
• List of Category 5 Atlantic hurricanes
• List of North Carolina hurricanes (2000–present)
• List of Virginia hurricanes
• Timeline of the 2003 Atlantic hurricane season
• List of notable media in the field of meteorology

External links

• Template:NHC TCR url
• National Hurricane Center advisory archive for Hurricane Isabel
• National Weather Service Assessment
• Category 5 Hurricane Isabel eye vortices java loop, Interpretation of
• Hurricane Isabel in Perspective: Proceedings of a Conference