This article is about the 2003 Atlantic hurricane. For other storms of the same name, see List of storms named Isabel.
Not to be confused with Hurricane Isbell.
Hurricane Isabel
Isabel at peak intensity, northeast of the Leeward Islands, on September 11
Meteorological history
Formed
September 6, 2003
Extratropical
September 19, 2003
Dissipated
September 20, 2003
Category 5 major hurricane
1-minute sustained (SSHWS/NWS)
Highest winds
165 mph (270 km/h)
Lowest pressure
915 mbar (hPa); 27.02 inHg
Overall effects
Fatalities
51
Damage
$3.6 billion (2003 USD)
Areas affected
Lesser Antilles, Greater Antilles, Lucayan Archipelago, East Coast of the United States, Atlantic Canada
IBTrACS
Part of the 2003 Atlantic hurricane season
Effects
United States
North Carolina
Virginia
Maryland and Washington, D.C.
Delaware
Pennsylvania
New Jersey
New York and New England
Other wikis
Commons: Isabel images
Hurricane Isabel was the strongest Atlantic hurricane since Mitch, and the deadliest, costliest, and most intense hurricane in the 2003 Atlantic hurricane season. Hurricane Isabel was also the strongest hurricane in the open waters of the Atlantic, both by wind speed and central pressure, before being surpassed by hurricanes Irma and Dorian in 2017 and 2019, respectively. The ninth named storm, fifth hurricane, and second major hurricane of the season, Isabel formed near the Cape Verde Islands from a tropical wave on September 6, in the tropical Atlantic Ocean. It moved northwestward, and within an environment of light wind shear and warm waters, it steadily strengthened to reach peak winds of 165 mph (266 km/h) on September 11. After fluctuating in intensity for four days, during which it displayed annular characteristics, Isabel gradually weakened and made landfall on the Outer Banks of North Carolina, with winds of 105 mph (169 km/h) on September 18. 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 totalled about $5.5 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.
HurricaneIsabel was the strongest Atlantic hurricane since Mitch, and the deadliest, costliest, and most intense hurricane in the 2003 Atlantic hurricane...
those attained hurricane status, of which three reached major hurricane status. The strongest hurricane of the season was HurricaneIsabel, which reached...
2003, during HurricaneIsabel and its high winds. On August 27, 2011, the bridge was closed to all traffic due to the impact of Hurricane Irene. Then-Governor...
The effects of HurricaneIsabel in North Carolina were widespread, with the heaviest damage in Dare County. The hurricane made landfall in the Outer Banks...
effects of HurricaneIsabel in Delaware resulted in one of only thirteen presidential disaster declarations for the state of Delaware. HurricaneIsabel formed...
feature at least one Category 5 hurricane each is four, from 2016 to 2019. Nine Atlantic hurricanes—Camille, Allen, Andrew, Isabel, Ivan, Dean, Felix, Irma and...
Baltimore architectural firm of Ziger/Snead and paid for by donations. HurricaneIsabel flooded the Baltimore World Trade Center's basement with 3 million...
The effects of HurricaneIsabel in Virginia proved to be the costliest disaster in the history of Virginia. HurricaneIsabel formed from a tropical wave...
for Hurricane Isidore". Archived from the original on May 20, 2011. Retrieved February 15, 2008. Jack Beven & Hugh Cobb (2003). "HurricaneIsabel Tropical...
Puerto Rico HurricaneIsabel (2003) - a Category 5 Cape Verde-type hurricane; total damages were estimated at $3.37 billion. The name Isabel was retired...
landfall, and tornadoes. The destruction from a tropical cyclone, such as a hurricane or tropical storm, depends mainly on its intensity, its size, and its...
Hurricane in 1893, with an ACE of 63.5, HurricaneIsabel in 2003, with an ACE of 63.3, and the 1932 Cuba hurricane, with an ACE of 59.8. Since 1950, the...
The effects of HurricaneIsabel in New Jersey in 2003 were overall moderate, limited to fallen trees, two deaths, and $50 million in damage (2003 USD,...
in history. Quinn also joined the Hurricane Hunters collecting data as they flew through the eye of HurricaneIsabel off the coast of North Carolina in...
HurricaneIsabel (2003) – Took a similar path to Florence late in its lifetime; made landfall in North Carolina as a Category 2 hurricaneHurricane Joaquin...
hurricanes that move up the East Coast of the United States. The strike of HurricaneIsabel in 2003 was particularly devastating for the area. Isabel...
the arrival of hurricanes. In the early 1870s the president of Belén College in Havana, Father Benito Viñes, developed the first hurricane forecasting system;...
The effects of HurricaneIsabel in New York and New England were relatively minor and primarily limited to wind damage. HurricaneIsabel formed from a...
on September 18, 2003, when HurricaneIsabel washed a 2,000 feet (600 m) wide and 15 feet (5 m) deep channel called Isabel Inlet through the community...
these, 7 strengthened into hurricanes with 3 intensifying into major hurricanes. Hurricane Fabian, HurricaneIsabel, and Hurricane Juan had their names retired...
The list of North Carolina hurricanes includes 413 known tropical or subtropical cyclones that have affected the U.S. state of North Carolina. Due to its...
(51 km/h). September 15—18, 2003 - HurricaneIsabel caused strong swells that lashed the Bahamas. During most hurricanes, the location of the Bahamas prevents...
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