Effects of Hurricane Isabel in North Carolina

Hurricane Isabel

Hurricane Isabel approaching North Carolina's Outer Banks
Meteorological history
Date	September 18, 2003
Category 2 hurricane
1-minute sustained (SSHWS/NWS)
Highest winds	105 mph (165 km/h)
Lowest pressure	957 mbar (hPa); 28.26 inHg
Overall effects
Fatalities	1 direct, 2 indirect
Damage	$450 million (2003 USD)
Areas affected	Outer Banks, eastern North Carolina
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 North Carolina were widespread, with the heaviest damage in Dare County. The hurricane made landfall in the Outer Banks of North Carolina on September 18. There, storm surge flooding and strong winds damaged thousands of houses. The storm surge produced a 2,000 feet (610 m) wide inlet on Hatteras Island, isolating Hatteras by road for two months. Several locations along North Carolina Highway 12 were partially washed out or covered with debris. Hurricane Isabel produced hurricane-force wind gusts across eastern North Carolina, knocking down trees and power lines. About 700,000 residents lost power due to the storm, although most outages were restored within a few days. The hurricane killed three people in the state – two due to falling trees, and the other a utility worker attempting to restore electricity. Damage in the state totaled $450 million (2003 USD, $745 million 2024 USD).

The National Hurricane Center issued a hurricane watch, and later warning, for the state's coastline in advance of the hurricane's landfall. Local officials issued evacuation orders for 18 counties, along with various flood warnings. In the aftermath of the hurricane, then-President George W. Bush declared a state of emergency for 26 counties in the state, which allocated federal resources to the state. Utility crews from nearby states helped restore power. The United States Geological Survey dredged sand to restore the breach on Hatteras Island, with traffic restored about two months after the hurricane.