Effects of Hurricane Isabel in West Virginia

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


Date=September 19, 2003
1-min winds=50
Gusts=
Da

Fatalities=none
Areas=West Virginia
Rainfall=
Hurricane season=2003 Atlantic hurricane season
Series=Hurricane Isabel
Related=Hurricane Isabel RelatedThe effects of Hurricane Isabel in West Virginia left 75% of the state's population without power. 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 265 km/h (165 mph) 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 165 km/h (105 mph) on September 18. It quickly weakened over land and became extratropical over western Pennsylvania the next day.

On September 19, Isabel crossed over the eastern portion of the state as a moderate tropical storm.cite web|author=Jack Beven and Hugh Cobb|year=2003|title=Hurricane Isabel Tropical Cyclone Report|publisher=National Hurricane Center|accessdate=2007-02-06|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/2003isabel.shtml] 50 to 60 mph (80 to 95 km/h) wind gusts downed hundreds to thousands of trees across the state; previously heavy rainfall moistened the soil which allowed the winds to uproot the trees more easily. The falling trees severely damaged dozens of houses and left over 1.4 million without power. Rainfall from the storm caused flooding along the rivers in the eastern portion of the state. Damage totaled $20 million (2003 USD, $23 million 2008 USD).

Impact

Beginning on September 16 while two days before landfall, the National Hurricane Center predicted Isabel would cross the eastern portion of the state. Subsequent forecasts shifted the track further to the west.cite web|author=National Hurricane Center|year=2003|title=Hurricane Isabel Advisory Archive|accessdate=2007-02-06|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2003/ISABEL.shtml] The storm produced moderate rainfall across the state, including 4 to 6 inches (100 to 150 mm) in Hardy and Pendleton counties. Occurring shortly after previously heavy rainfall, the precipitation from Isabel lead to more runoff and quicker rises on rivers; flooding occurred along most of the state rivers. The South Branch Potomac River crested at 24.7 feet (7.5 m), 9.3 feet (2.8 m) above flood state near Springfield, causing moderate flooding. Severe flooding occurred along the river in Franklin, where the river crested at 5.12 feet (1.6 m) above flood state. In Morgan County, the Cacapon River topped a bridge, with two other low water spans washed away and a portion of West Virginia Route 9 flooded. In Grant and Mineral counties, the flooding caused light damage to roads and bridges, while in Pendleton County the flooding covered 12 roads. Elsewhere in the state, the rainfall resulted in mudslides and flash flooding in Pendleton and Hardy counties, with Sugar Grove and parts of Moyers reporting some flood damage.cite web|author=National Climatic Data Center|year=2003|title=Event Report for Hurricane Isabel|accessdate=2007-02-07|url=http://www4.ncdc.noaa.gov/cgi-win/wwcgi.dll?wwevent~ShowEvent~527587] A mobile home in Glandy was damaged by the flooding, as well.cite web|author=National Climatic Data Center|year=2003|title=Event Report for Hurricane Isabel (2)|accessdate=2007-02-07|url=http://www4.ncdc.noaa.gov/cgi-win/wwcgi.dll?wwevent~ShowEvent~527594] The flooding broke a levee at Michael Field, and in Mineral County one school and 14 basements were flooded. In Jefferson County, a car drove into the flood waters; the car and both passengers were later rescued.

Sustained winds from Isabel were fairly weak in the state, reaching convert|30|mi/h|km/h|abbr=on at the airport in Martinsburg. Wind gusts were higher, reaching convert|46|mi/h|km/h|abbr=on at Martinsburg with stronger gusts in rainbands reaching 50 to 60 mph (80 to 95 km/h). Previous rainfall moistened the ground, resulting in the wind gusts downing hundreds to thousands of trees across the state. In Berkeley County, the trees fell onto a few houses and cars and blocked several roads. Six homes in Hampshire County reported major damage from trees falling onto them. In Harpers Ferry, a falling tree caused significant damage to a house, with multiple houses in Shepherdstown reporting substantial damage from falling trees. The trees downed many power lines across the eastern portion of the state, leaving about 1.4 million residents across the state without power.cite web|author=United States Department of Commerce|year=2004|title=Service Assessment of Hurricane Isabel|publisher=NOAA|accessdate=2007-02-07|url=http://www.weather.gov/os/assessments/pdfs/isabel.pdf] Allegheny Energy initially reported power outages to about 26,000 of its customers,cite web|author=United States Department of Energy|year=2003|title=Hurricane Isabel Situation Report: September 19, 2003|accessdate=2007-02-07|url=http://www.oe.netl.doe.gov/docs/isabel/hurrisabel_sitrep_091903_1600.pdf] though by two days following the hurricane the total rose to about 42,000.cite web|author=United States Department of Energy|year=2003|title=Hurricane Isabel Situation Report: September 20, 2003|accessdate=2007-02-07|url=http://www.oe.netl.doe.gov/docs/isabel/hurrisabel_sitrep_092003_1100.pdf] Damage in the state totaled $20 million (2003 USD, $23 million 2008 USD). No deaths were reported, and three were injured from the hurricane.

Aftermath

By the day after the passage of the hurricane, workers from Allegheny Energy restored power to 5,606 customers. Workers continued to restore power across the state, and by the following day power was restored to about 28,000 customers. By about a week after the hurricane, all power outages related to the hurricane were restored.cite web|author=United States Department of Energy|year=2003|title=Hurricane Isabel Situation Report: September 25, 2003|accessdate=2007-02-07|url=http://www.oe.netl.doe.gov/docs/isabel/hurrisabel_sitrep_092503_0900.pdf]

On September 24, 2003, President George W. Bush issued a major disaster declaration for the eastern portion of the state, which authorized the use of federal disaster funds for the state to help local governments recover from the effects of Hurricane Isabel. FEMA director Michael D. Brown designated 10 counties in the state eligible for federal funding to pay affected local governments 75% of the eligible costs for debris removal and emergency protective measures undertaken in response to Isabel.cite web|author=FEMA|year=2003|title=President Authorizes Disaster Funds For West Virginia To Aid Local Government Hurricane Recovery|accessdate=2007-02-07|url=http://www.fema.gov/news/newsrelease.fema?id=5168] In early October, FEMA provided additional assistance to Grant, Hampshire, Hardy, Morgan, Pendleton, and Tucker counties, the six most affected counties by the hurricane.cite web|author=FEMA|year=2003|title=Disaster Assistance Expanded In Six West Virginia Counties|accessdate=2007-02-07|url=http://www.fema.gov/news/newsrelease.fema?id=5702]

ee also

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

References