Effects of Hurricane Isabel in Pennsylvania
The effects of Hurricane Isabel in Pennsylvania were primarily related to tropical storm force winds across much of the state. Hurricane Isabel formed from a tropical wave on September 6, 2003, 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.
Tropical Storm Isabel over Pennsylvania shortly before becoming an extratropical cyclone | |
| Tropical storm | |
|---|---|
| 1-minute sustained (SSHWS/NWS) | |
| Highest winds | 40 mph (65 km/h) |
| Lowest pressure | 997 mbar (hPa); 29.44 inHg |
| Overall effects | |
| Fatalities | 2 indirect |
| Damage | $160 million (2003 USD) |
| Areas affected | Pennsylvania |
Part of the 2003 Atlantic hurricane season | |
| Part of a series on Hurricane Isabel | |
Effects
Other wikis | |
On September 19, Tropical Storm Isabel passed through southwestern Pennsylvania, though its large circulation produced tropical storm force winds throughout much of the state. The passage of Hurricane Isabel resulted in $160 million in damage (2003 USD, $187 million 2008 USD) and two indirect deaths in Pennsylvania. One person suffered from carbon monoxide poisoning, believed to be caused due to improperly ventilated generators in an area affected by the power outages. Moderate winds left about 1.4 million customers without power across the state as a result of trees falling into power lines, with dozens of houses and cars damaged by the trees.