Hurricane Isabel
Profile
Update: 25 January 2007
|
Event dates |
7 - 20 September 2003 |
|
Affected areas |
US (Eastern Seaboard), Canada (Ontario) |
|
Fatalities |
>= 40 |
|
Economic loss |
USD several billion (est. 21 September) |
|
Insured loss |
USD 1 170 000 000 (est. 21 September) |
Event description
Forming on 6 September, Hurricane Isabel finally made landfall on 18 September at approximately 13.00 EDT near Drum Inlet, North Carolina. Before hitting the coastline, it had been downgraded to a weak Category 2 hurricane, with sustained windspeeds of 152 kph (95 mph) and gusts of 169 kph (105 mph). At the immediate landfall area, moderate damage resulted from wind and flooding induced by rainfall and tidal surges. Moving further inland, the storm's wind damage triggered power outages, affecting more than 6 million people.
Precipitation in the area from eastern North Carolina, through Virginia and eastern West Virginia was between 7.5 and 15 cm. Flooding was less severe than originally expected and was much less than that caused by Hurricane Floyd in September 1999. Since Isabel moved through the region so quickly, rainfall was about half of that forecast. Nevertheless, damage in North Carolina, Virginia and Maryland was severe enough to have these states declared disaster areas.
Major flooding occurred in Maryland, West Virginia and Washington DC. Areas particularly affected were the Potomac River between Green Ridge and Brunswick in addition to Alexandria, downtown Annapolis and the Fells Point section of Baltimore.
In Virginia, the Franklin City downtown area was flooded by the Blackwater River, but only low-lying areas were hit, and other flooding occurred elsewhere. Additional major floods from swollen rivers are not expected, and flooding can generally be rated as minor (10 - 20-year return periods).
The National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) is the major flood insurer of residential and small commercial risks and is backed by the US government in collaboration with local communities and private insurance companies. In flood-prone areas, which is the case of the regions hit by Isabel, basic flood cover can be purchased through this programme. However, the amount of cover purchased varies greatly from one state to another, affecting home and commercial property owners differently.
Even though Isabel was less devastating than anticipated, it is likely to be remembered for its unusual physical size. At its height, it covered an area the size of Italy.
Economic loss
Current estimates are in the range of USD several billion (21 September). No major single losses have been reported yet.
Insured loss
USD 1 170 000 000 (21 September). Some 90% of the losses arise from homeowners multiple peril, auto physical damage and commercial multiple peril (property).
Further related information
Natural catastrophes and reinsurance
