Hurricane Isabel

Hurricane Isabel was the costliest and deadliest hurricane in the 2003 Atlantic hurricane season. It was the ninth named storm, fifth hurricane, and second major hurricane of the season. Isabel formed from a tropical wave in the tropical Atlantic Ocean. It moved northwestward, and it steadily strengthened to reach peak winds of 165 mph (265 km/h) on September 11. After weakening and strengthening for four days, Isabel slowly weakened. It moved onto the Outer Banks of North Carolina with winds of 105 mph (165 km/h) on September 18. It quickly weakened over land.

In North Carolina, the storm surge from Isabel washed away part of Hatteras Island. This area of washed away land was sometimes known as Isabel Inlet. Damage was highest along the Outer Banks, where thousands of homes were damaged or destroyed. The worst effects happened in Virginia, especially in the Hampton Roads area and on the shores of the James River. Virginia had the most deaths and damage from the hurricane. About 64% of the total damage and 68% of the total deaths from the storm happened in North Carolina and Virginia.

There was moderate to severe damage up the Atlantic coastline and as far west as West Virginia. About six million lost power in the eastern United States. Rain fell from South Carolina to Maine, and westward to Michigan. In total, damage is estimated at $3.6 billion (2003 USD, $4.1 billion 2008 USD). 16 deaths in seven states are blamed directly on the hurricane. 35 more deaths in six states and one province were not directly related to the hurricane.

 Retirement 
List of retired Atlantic hurricane names

The name Isabel was later retired and replaced by Ida for the 2009 season.

Category:2003 Atlantic hurricane season
Category:Category 5 Atlantic hurricanes
Category:Retired tropical cyclone names
Category:Hurricanes in North Carolina
Category:2000s in the Bahamas
Category:2000s in North Carolina
Category:2000s in Virginia
Category:2000s in Maryland
Category:2000s in South Carolina
Category:21st century in West Virginia
Category:21st century in Delaware
Category:2000s in New Jersey
Category:2000s in New York (state)
Category:2000s in Pennsylvania
Category:2000s in Ohio
Category:2000s in Washington, D.C.
Category:2003 in Ontario
Category:2003 in Canada
Category:2003 in the United States
Category:Hurricanes in Virginia