Hurricane Isabel (2003)

Hurricane Isabel, 2003
Source: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)

Hurricane Isabel passed over Hampton Roads on September 18, 2003. The 4-6 foot storm surge occurred at high tide, raising water levels eight feet in some locations. The Midtown Tunnel was flooded with three feet of water after the Virginia Department of Transportation failed to close the gates in time. Harrison's Fishing Pier at Ocean View washed away.

At one point over 90% of Hampton Roads customers had no electricity; meals were cooked on backyard grills. Emergency preparations are still guided by the impacts of Hurricane Isabel.¹

Hurricane Isabel crossed Virginia, and heavy rain affected areas far from the coastline
Source: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Hurricanes in History- Isabel

Hurricane Isabel moved from Hampton Roads through the Shenandoah Valley
Source: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Historical Hurricane Tracks

Links

• Chesapeake Bay Program
• Isabel and the Chesapeake Bay
• National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)
• Isabel's Driving Force
• National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)
• NOAA Aircraft Takes Dramatic Photos Of North Carolina Coast After Hurricane Isabel Unleashed Her Fury
• NOAA Researchers Retrieve Wealth Of Data After Chasing Hurricane Isabel
• U.S. Geological Survey
• Impacts of High River Flow and Tropical Storm Isabel on the Chesapeake Bay and its Watershed

References

military bases in Hampton Roads are at risk due to storm surges as well as heavy rains and wind
Source: NARA and DVIDS Public Domain Archive, Floodwaters Generated By Hurricane Isabel Render One of Langley Air Force Bases Roads Impassable