Effects of Hurricane Isabel in Pennsylvania

Infobox Hurricane Impact
Name=Hurricane Isabel
Type=Tropical storm
Year=2003
Basin=Atl
Image location=Tropical Storm Isabel (Pennsylvania).jpg

Pennsylvania shortly before becoming an extratropical cyclone]
Date=September 19, 2003
1-min winds=35
Gusts=
Da

Fatalities=2 indirect
Areas=Pennsylvania
Rainfall=
Hurricane season=2003 Atlantic hurricane season
Series=Hurricane Isabel
Related=Hurricane Isabel RelatedThe effects of Hurricane Isabel in Pennsylvania were primarily caused by 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 (265 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 (165 km/h) on September 18. It quickly weakened over land and became extratropical over western Pennsylvania the next day.

On September 19, Tropical Storm Isabel passed through southwestern Pennsylvania, though its large circulation produced tropical storm force winds throughout much of the state.cite web|author=Jack Beven & Hugh Cobb|year=2003|title=Hurricane Isabel Tropical Cyclone Report|publisher=National Hurricane Center|accessdate=2006-12-26|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/2003isabel.shtml] 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.cite web|author=CNN|year=2003|title=Isabel death toll creeps higher|accessdate=2007-01-27|url=http://www.cnn.com/2003/WEATHER/09/22/isabel/index.html] 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.

Preparations

While over the western Atlantic Ocean as a major hurricane, forecasters predicted Isabel would pass through the central portion of the state.cite web|author=Franklin/Pasch|year=2003|title=Hurricane Isabel Discussion Thirty-Nine|publisher=National Hurricane Center|accessdate=2007-01-27|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2003/dis/al132003.discus.039.shtml] Successive forecasts shifted the track slightly further to the west, though its track into Ohio was not anticipated. Hours before it entered the state, the National Hurricane Center continued to predict Isabel would traverse the entire length of the state from south to north and later entering New York before crossing Lake Ontario into Canada.cite web|author=National Hurricane Center|year=2003|title=Hurricane Isabel Tropical Discussions|accessdate=2007-01-27|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2003/ISABEL.shtml] Around 3% of those who evacuated in North Carolina and in the Eastern Shore of Virginia stayed in Pennsylvania during the storm.cite web|author=Post, Buckley, Schuh and Jernigan|year=2005|title=Hurricane Isabel Assessment, a Review of Hurricane Evacuation Study Products and Other Aspects of the National Hurricane Mitigation and Preparedness Program (NHMPP) in the Context of the Hurricane Isabel Response|publisher=NOAA|accessdate=2007-01-27|url=http://www.csc.noaa.gov/hes/docs/postStorm/Isabel_PostStorm_Summary.pdf] The threat of the hurricane canceled some flights in and out of the state. To compensate, Delta Air Lines allowed those flying to or from Philadelphia, Allentown, and Harrisburg to reschedule to a later date. American Airlines offered a similar option. United Airlines and United Express opted to waive charging fees for travelers in and out of the state.Cite web|author=Patty Davis and Beth Lewandowski|year=2003|title=Airlines allow passengers to rebook|publisher=CNN|accessdate=2007-01-27|url=http://www.cnn.com/2003/TRAVEL/09/17/airlines.hurricane/index.html]

Prior to the arrival of Isabel, Governor Ed Rendell declared a state of emergency for the state.cite web|author=CNN|year=2003|title=Isabel knocks out power to more than 1 million|accessdate=2007-01-27|url=http://www.cnn.com/2003/WEATHER/09/18/hurricane.isabel/index.html] The Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency activated a support team to assist Urban Search and Rescue operations as part of the threat from the storm. The state's National Guard placed 2,990 guardsmen on Emergency Condition 5 status to be deployed anywhere in the state for emergency support, with other guardsmen readying equipment such as generators, heavy trucks, water trailers, and engineer equipment for deployment. State police officers were readied for deployment, while the state health department contacted hospitals to ensure generators were in working condition. The state Environmental Protection Agency prepared for the storm by monitoring the status of all dams, water treatment facilities, and nuclear plants. In addition, the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission stationed extra workers to patrol the highways in poor drainage areas, with extra equipment prepared for quick response for potential road blockage.cite web|author=Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency|year=2003|title=Governor Rendell Directs State Officials to Prepare for Hurricane Isabel|accessdate=2007-01-28|url=http://www.pema.state.pa.us/pema/cwp/view.asp?a=7&q=255062] Prior to the arrival of the storm, officials from PECO energy prepared its largest workforce in its history with 1,500 workers, including employees from Commonwealth Edison in Illinois and Detroit Edison.cite web|author=Tranmission and Distribution World|year=2003|title=Eastern U.S. Utilities Prepare for Hurricane Isabel|accessdate=2007-01-29|url=http://tdworld.com/news/power_eastern_us_utilities/]

Impact and aftermath

Upon making landfall, Isabel produced a storm surge that tracked up the Delaware River, with a station along the river in Philadelphia reporting a storm tide of 9.47 feet (2.89 m). There, the surge flooded low-lying areas along the river.cite web|author=Gorse and Frugis|year=2003|title=Hurricane Isabel Post Tropical Cyclone Report|publisher=Mount Holly, New Jersey National Weather Service|accessdate=2007-01-27|url=http://www.erh.noaa.gov/er/phi/storms/09192003.txt] The large circulation of the hurricane produced moderate winds throughout the state, with wind gusts in the southeastern portion of the state reaching 60 mph (95 km/h) in Forks Township. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania also recorded a wind gust of 49 mph (79 km/h),cite web|author=National Climatic Data Center|year=2003|title=Event Report for Southeast Pennsylvania|accessdate=2007-01-27|url=http://www4.ncdc.noaa.gov/cgi-win/wwcgi.dll?wwevent~ShowEvent~519360] which contributed to severe delays at the Philadelphia International Airport.Cite web|author=Patty Davis and Beth Lewandowski|year=2003|title=Isabel snarls air traffic in the East|accessdate=2007-01-27|url=http://www.cnn.com/2003/TRAVEL/09/18/isabel.travel/index.html] The moderate wind gust downed thousands of trees, tree limbs, and power lines. PECO energy reported their worst power outage on record with about 572,425 customers losing electricity. The company estimated it would cost at least $20 million (2003 USD, $23 million 2008 USD) for it to install about 81 miles (130 km) of new cable and install about 7,600 new fuses and circuit breakers. The Metropolitan Edison power company reported 300,000 customers without power, with 500,000 Pennsylvania Power and Light customers losing electricity. Power workers immediately began repairing the power failures by clearing tree branches and replacing fuses and circuit breakers. Peco energy restored power to 72% of the affected customers by two days after the storm,cite web|author=Infrastructure Security and Energy Restoration|year=2003|title=Hurricane Isabel Situation Report: September 20, 2003 11:00AM|accessdate=2007-01-29|url=http://www.oe.netl.doe.gov/docs/isabel/hurrisabel_sitrep_092003_1100.pdf] with 85% restored by two nights.cite web|author=Infrastructure Security and Energy Restoration|year=2003|title=Hurricane Isabel Situation Report: September 21, 2003 12:00PM|accessdate=2007-01-29|url=http://www.oe.netl.doe.gov/docs/isabel/hurrisabel_sitrep_092103_1200.pdf] By two days after the storm, Pennsylvania Power and Light restored power to about 80% of its impacted customers, with about 93% restored by two nights after the storm. By five days after Isabel, most power outages in southeastern Pennsylvania were repaired,cite web|author=Infrastructure Security and Energy Restoration|year=2003|title=Hurricane Isabel Situation Report: September 23, 2003 12:00PM|accessdate=2007-01-29|url=http://www.oe.netl.doe.gov/docs/isabel/hurrisabel_sitrep_092303_1200.pdf] with all outages restored by a week after the hurricane.cite web|author=Infrastructure Security and Energy Restoration|year=2003|title=Hurricane Isabel Situation Report: September 25, 2003 9:00AM|accessdate=2007-01-29|url=http://www.oe.netl.doe.gov/docs/isabel/hurrisabel_sitrep_092503_0900.pdf] Damage in southeastern Pennsylvania totaled $32.2 million (2003 USD; $37.7 million 2008 USD).

Wind gusts reached 60 mph (95 km/h) in northeastern Pennsylvania, resulting in scattered reports of downed trees and power lines. Tens of thousands were left without power. A few downed trees hit cars and houses, with damage totaling about $350,000 (2003 USD, $410,000 in 2008 USD). The fallen trees also closed some roads.cite web|author=National Climatic Data Center|year=2003|title=Event Report for Northeast Pennsylvania|accessdate=2007-01-30|url=http://www4.ncdc.noaa.gov/cgi-win/wwcgi.dll?wwevent~ShowEvent~519365]

In the central portion of the state , the storm dropped moderate precipitation of over 3 inches (75 mm), while wind gusts reached 73 mph (117 km/h) at a station in Lancaster County. The combination of the wind gusts and moist grounds from previous rainfalls resulted in hundreds of downed tree limbs,cite web|author=National Climatic Data Center|year=2003|title=Event Report for Central Pennsylvania|accessdate=2007-01-29|url=http://www4.ncdc.noaa.gov/cgi-win/wwcgi.dll?wwevent~ShowEvent~519361] primarily in Dauphin and Lancaster Counties.Cite web|author=State College, Pennsylvania National Weather Service|year=2003|title=Hurricane Isabel: September 2003|accessdate=2007-01-29|url=http://www.erh.noaa.gov/ctp/features/2003/isabel.php] The falling trees downed power lines and poles, causing power outages and some property damage due to the trees and poles hitting houses. One indirect fatalitiy occurred when a motorist drove into a downed tree. Two other vehicles in Franklin County and a fire truck in York were hit and greatly damaged by trees. Downed wires set a Family Dollar on fire in Paradise Township and was believed to have started a fire in a church in Ringtown. Falling trees hit at least eleven houses, with one tree severely damaging a mobile home in Bellwood. Damage directly from the wind was generally minor, and included a house losing a chimney in Camp Hill, a carport being blown over in New Oxford, and at least four houses reporting roof or siding damage. The passage of the hurricane also damageed corn fields near Lancaster. Downed trees closed or disrupted traffic on at least 56 roads in the region, including U.S. Routes 6 and 322, as well as Interstate 83 in York County.

Pittsburgh reported 1.24 inches (31 mm) of precipitation from Isabel.cite web|author=Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania National Weather Service|year=2007|title=Remnants of Hurricanes and Tropical Storms that have brought Rainfall to the Region|accessdate=2007-01-27|url=http://www.erh.noaa.gov/pbz/hurricane.htm] The storm produced wind gusts of up to 60 mph (95 km/h) across the southwestern portion of the state, knocking down trees and power lines.cite web|author=National Climatic Data Center|year=2003|title=Event Report for Southwest Pennsylvania|accessdate=2007-01-30|url=http://www4.ncdc.noaa.gov/cgi-win/wwcgi.dll?wwevent~ShowEvent~519362] Allegheny Energy reported 31,184 customers in the southwest portion of the state lost power, primarily in McConnellsburg, State College, and Waynesboro. Allegheny Power restored power to about 20% of its customers by two days after the storm. Most power outages for the company were restored by five days after the hurricane, with all power completely restored by a week after Isabel.

On September 26, President Bush declared Chester County as a disaster area following the damage of previous Henri, Isabel, and severe flooding unrelated to either tropical cyclone.cite web|author=FEMA|year=2003|title=Federal Disaster Aid Ordered For Pennsylvania Storms|accessdate = 2007-01-30|url=http://www.fema.gov/news/newsrelease.fema?id=5216] Officials opened a disaster recovery center in West Chester to provide additional information to disaster victims.Cite web|author=PEMA|year=2003|title=Disaster Recover Center to Open in West Chester|accessdate=2007-01-30|url=http://www.pema.state.pa.us/pema/cwp/view.asp?A=7&Q=255328] By a month after the declaration, 342 homeowners and business owners applied for disaster aid, totaling to around $600,000 (2003 USD, $703,000 2008 USD).cite web|author=FEMA|year=2003|title=Disaster Aid Surpasses Half Million Dollars|accessdate = 2007-01-30|url=http://www.fema.gov/news/newsrelease.fema?id=6792]

ee also

*List of Pennsylvania hurricanes
*List of retired Atlantic hurricane names

References