Effects of Hurricane Isabel in New Jersey

Hurricane Isabel

Waves and beach erosion during Isabel
Tropical storm
1-minute sustained (SSHWS/NWS)
Highest winds	60 mph (95 km/h)
Lowest pressure	997 mbar (hPa); 29.44 inHg
Overall effects
Fatalities	1 direct, 1 indirect
Damage	$50 million (2003 USD)
Areas affected	New Jersey
Part of the 2003 Atlantic hurricane season
Part of a series on Hurricane Isabel
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

The effects of Hurricane Isabel in New Jersey in 2003 were overall moderate, limited to fallen trees, two deaths, and $50 million in damage (2003 USD, $59 million 2008 USD). Hurricane Isabel formed 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, 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 western Pennsylvania the next day. Several days before Isabel made landfall, there existed uncertainty in where the hurricane would strike. At least one computer model predicted a landfall on New Jersey, and as a result services across the state thoroughly prepared for the hurricane.^[1]

Isabel passed 215 miles (346 km) southwest of the state, though its large wind core produced tropical storm force winds across much of the state. The winds downed hundreds of trees and power lines, leaving hundreds of thousands without power. A falling tree killed one person. Hurricane Isabel produced rough waves and a moderate storm surge along the coastline. One person was killed from the rough waves, and at least 50 locations along the Jersey Shore reported beach erosion from the hurricane.