Effects of Hurricane Isabel in Delaware

Effects of Hurricane Isabel in Delaware

Hurricane Isabel was the ninth named storm of the 2003 Atlantic hurricane season on September 6, 2003. It made landfall on the Outer Banks of North Carolina with winds of 105 mph on September 18. Winds of up to 62 mph downed numerous trees, tree limbs, and power lines across the state. At least 15,300 without power.

About Effects of Hurricane Isabel in Delaware in brief

Summary Effects of Hurricane Isabel in DelawareHurricane Isabel was the ninth named storm of the 2003 Atlantic hurricane season on September 6, 2003. It made landfall on the Outer Banks of North Carolina with winds of 105 mph on September 18. The storm’s center remained to the south and west of Delaware, and was about 175 miles from the state at its closest approach. Winds of up to 62 mph downed numerous trees, tree limbs, and power lines across the state, leaving at least 15,300 without power. The effects of the hurricane were compounded by flooding caused by the remnants of Tropical Storm Henri days before. The passage of Hurricane Isabel resulted in USD 40 million in damage ) and no casualties in the state. It was one of only thirteen presidential disaster declarations for the state of Delaware. The University of Delaware preemptively canceled classes. The Cape May-Lewes Ferry closed for several days in anticipation of the storm.

Officials began recommending visitors to leave potentially affected areas by three days before Isabel made landfall. The Delaware Department of Transportation planned to place restrictions on state roads in the event strong wind gusts were recorded. Strong swells from the hurricane produced a moderate storm surge which peaked at 8. 66 feet in Reedy Point. The high waters breached dunes south of Bethany Beach, and several locations along Delaware Route 1 were flooded. Precipitation was heavy but sporadic, amounting to a maximum of 1. 88 inches in Greenwood. Heavy rainfall further inland resulted in moderate to severe river flooding. At the Delaware Lighthouse in Lewes, strong waves destroyed the lower deck of the lower window of the lighthouse.