.jpg) Hurricane Isabel shortly after landfall | |
| Tropical storm | |
|---|---|
| 1-minute sustained (SSHWS/NWS) | |
| Highest winds | 45 mph (75 km/h) |
| Lowest pressure | 988 mbar (hPa); 29.18 inHg |
| Overall effects | |
| Fatalities | None |
| Damage | $40 million (2003 USD) |
| Areas affected | Delaware |
Part of the 2003 Atlantic hurricane season | |
| Part of a series on Hurricane Isabel | |
Effects
Other wikis | |
The effects of Hurricane Isabel in Delaware resulted in one of only thirteen presidential disaster declarations for the state of Delaware. Hurricane Isabel formed from a tropical wave on September 6, 2003, 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, Isabel gradually weakened and made landfall on the Outer Banks of North Carolina with winds of 105 mph (169 km/h) on September 18. It quickly weakened over land and became extratropical over Pennsylvania the next day. The storm's center remained to the south and west of Delaware, and was about 175 miles (282 km) from the state at its closest approach. At that time, Isabel was a strong tropical storm located in central Virginia.[1]
The effects of the hurricane were compounded by flooding caused by the remnants of Tropical Storm Henri days before. Moderate winds of up to 62 mph (100 km/h) downed numerous trees, tree limbs, and power lines across the state, leaving at least 15,300 without power. Numerous low-lying areas were flooded due to high surf, strong storm surge, or run-off from flooding further inland. The passage of Hurricane Isabel resulted in $40 million in damage (2003 USD, ($66.3 million 2024 USD)) and no casualties in the state. Hurricane Isabel was the ninth named storm of the 2003 Atlantic hurricane season on September 6, 2003.[2]
- ^ Jack Beven & Hugh Cobb (2003). "Hurricane Isabel Tropical Cyclone Report". National Hurricane Center. Archived from the original on November 14, 2013. Retrieved November 15, 2006.
- ^ US Department of Commerce, NOAA. "Isabel Anniversary". www.weather.gov. Retrieved September 6, 2019.