2003 — Sep 18-19, Hurricane Isabel, East Coast, especially VA and MD –55-56

lornajarrettblanchard September 18, 2003

Canada ( 1)

— 1 Wikipedia. “Hurricane Isabel.” 3-6-2014 modification.

United States (55-56)

–55-56 Blanchard tally from State and local breakouts below.[1]

— 51 Martin. Tropical Cyclone Isabel, Anne Arundel Co. Anne Arundel Co. OEM, 2008, p.8.

–17 Direct. –34 Indirect.

— 50 Beven and Cobb. Tropical Cyclone Report, Hurricane Isabel… 11-16-2004 rev.

–16 Direct. –34 Indirect.

— 50 Wikipedia. “Hurricane Isabel.” 3-6-2014 modification.

— >40 CNN.com. “Isabel Death Toll Creeps Higher.” 9-23-2003.

Breakout of Fatalities by State and DC

District of Columbia ( 1)

— 1 Indirect. Beven and Cobb. Tropical Cyclone Report, Hurricane Isabel… 11-16-2004 rev.

Florida ( 1)

— 1 Direct; drowning in high surf. Beven / Cobb. Tropical Cyclone… Isabel… 11-16-2004 rev.

Maryland ( 8-9)

–8-9 Blanchard tally based on State and County breakouts below.

— 8 Martin. Tropical Cyclone Isabel, Anne Arundel County, MD, Sept. 2003. Aug 2008, p.8.[2]

— 7 Beven and Cobb. Tropical Cyclone Report, Hurricane Isabel… 11-16-2004 rev.

–1 Direct. –6 Indirect.

— 3 Anne Arundel County. Carbon monoxide poisoning.[3]

— 2 Anne Arundel County. Vehicular.[4]

— 1 Baltimore Co., Dundalk, Sep 18-19. Drowning; man, 27. NCDC. Storm Events Database.

— 1 Baltimore County. Electrocution; electric utility worker.[5]

— 1 Prince Georgia’s County, Sep 23. Apparent carbon monoxide poisoning, woman.[6]

— 1 Prince George’s County. Electrocution; electric utility worker.[7]

New Jersey ( 2)

— 2 Beven and Cobb. Tropical Cyclone Report, Hurricane Isabel… 11-16-2004 rev.[8]

–1 Direct. –1 Indirect.

— 1 Independence Township, Warren County. Tree Fall onto vehicle; woman, 34.[9]

— 1 Off Wildwood Crest, Cape May County. Drowning in rough surf; man, 51.[10]

New York ( 1)

— 1 Direct. Beven and Cobb. Tropical Cyclone Report, Hurricane Isabel… 11-16-2004 rev.[11]

— 1 Long Beach, Nassau, Sep 18. Drowning; man, 42, body-surfing.[12]

North Carolina ( 3)

— 3 Beven and Cobb. Tropical Cyclone Report, Hurricane Isabel… 11-16-2004 rev.[13]

— 1 Direct. — 2 Indirect.

— 1 Carteret County.[14] Electrocution; utility worker, while restoring power.[15]

— 1 Chowan County, Sep 18-19. Vehicular; female, 32 (listed as a “direct” death).[16]

— 1 Franklin County, Sep 18. Vehicular; man, 45, killed when car hits downed tree.[17]

Pennsylvania ( 2)

— 2 Indirect. Beven and Cobb. Tropical Cyclone Report, Hurricane Isabel… 11-16-2004 rev.[18]

—>1 Traffic accident or accidents.[19]

Rhode Island ( 1)

— 1 Direct; drowning in high surf. Beven/Cobb. Tropical Cyclone… Isabel… 11-16-2004 rev.[20]

Virginia ( 36)

— 36 Virginia Department of Emergency Management. Hurricane Isabel, 2003 (website).

— 33 Payne. “More Than 30 State Deaths Linked to Isabel…Medical Examiner.” 11-2-2003.[21]

— 32 VA DEM. Virginia Hurricane History (website) “Hurricane Isabel, September 18, 2003.”

— 32 Beven and Cobb. Tropical Cyclone Report, Hurricane Isabel… 11-16-2004 revision.

— 10 Direct. — 22 Indirect.

— 23 CNN.com. “Isabel Death Toll Creeps Higher. Sep 23, 2003.

–>20 NWS WFO, Wakefield VA. The Hurricane History of Cent…. Eastern VA.

By County or Independent City: (36)

–1 Accomack County, Parksley, Sep 18. Tree fall on trailer;[22] male, 53.[23]

–2 Albemarle County, Sep 18. Vehicle hits tree. VA DEM. Hurricane Isabel, 2003 (website).

–1 Chesterfield County, Sep 18. Tree fall. VA DEM. Hurricane Isabel, 2003 (website).[24]

–2 Chesterfield County, Sep 19 (found). Carbon monoxide, poorly ventilated generator.[25]

–1 Chesterfield County, Sep 22. Injuries from a fall in darkened home with no power.[26]

–1 Chesterfield County, Sep 27. Fall from roof while cutting tree. VA DEM. Hurricane Isabel.

–1 Chesterfield County, Dec 7. Fall from tree, debris cleanup accident. VA DEM Hurr. Isabel.

–1 City of Hopewell, Sep 19. Falling tree limb during storm cleanup.[27]

–1 City of Newport News, Sep 26. Apparent drowning.[28]

–1 City of Norfolk, Sep 23. Neck fracture associated with tree removal.[29]

–1 City of Norfolk, Oct 4. Fire caused by candle burning during power outage.[30]

–1 City of Norfolk, Oct 20. Crushed by storm debris pushed by bulldozer.[31]

–1 City of Norfolk, Nov 26. Fall from tree in debris cleanup accident. VA DEM. Hurr. Isabel.

–1 City of Richmond, Sep 18. Drowning. VA DEM. Hurricane Isabel, 2003 (website).

–1 City of Richmond, Sep 18. Tree fall on home. VA DEM. Hurricane Isabel, 2003 (website).

–1 City of Richmond, I-95, Sep 18. Vehicular accident; vehicle hydroplanes in heavy rain.[32]

–1 City of Richmond, Oct 28. Crush injury, debris cleanup accident. VA DEM. Hurr. Isabel.

–1 City of Staunton, Augusta County, Sep 19. Carbon monoxide, poorly ventilated generator.[33]

–3 Fluvanna County, Sep 18. Vehicle collision with fallen tree.[34]

–1 Gloucester County, Sep 19. Heart attack after vehicle was swept up in high water.[35]

–1 Goochland County, Sep 26. Falling tree. VA DEM. Hurricane Isabel, 2003 (website).

–1 Hanover County, Sep 19 (found). Injuries from a fall in a darkened house with no power.[36]

–1 Henrico County, Sep 19. Drowning; car in creek. VA DEM. Hurricane Isabel, 2003, website

–1 Henrico Co., Sep 21. Suicide; severe depression aggravated by lack of home power/water.[37]

–1 Isle of Wight County, Sep 20. Carbon monoxide poisoning, poorly ventilated generator.[38]

–1 Isle of Wight Co., Sep 18, found Oct 21. Drowning, vehicle swept from roadway, [39] man, 62.[40]

–1 New Kent County, Sep 18. Tree fall,[41] male, [42] 47.[43]

–1 New Kent County, Sep 21. Heart attack from exertion, cutting down trees.[44]

–2 Rockingham County, Sep 21. Drowned; washed away crossing low water bridge.[45]

–1 Rockingham County, Blacks Run, ~Harrisonburg, Sep 19. Drowning; canoeing, male, 21.[46]

–1 York County, Nov 30. Falling tree on a power line in debris cleanup accident.[47]

Cause of Death (Direct) (>13)[48]

Drowning: (8)

–1 FL. Drowning in high surf. Beven / Cobb. Tropical Cyclone… Isabel… 11-16-2004 rev.

–1 MD, Baltimore Co., Dundalk, Sep 18-19. Drowning; man, 27. NCDC. Storm Events….

–1 NJ, off Wildwood Crest, Cape May County. Drowning in rough surf; man, 51.

–1 NY, Long Beach, Nassau, Sep 18. Drowning; man, 42, body-surfing.

–1 RI. Drowning in high surf. Beven/Cobb. Tropical Cyclone… Isabel… 11-16-2004 revision.

–1 VA, City of Richmond, Sep 18. Drowning. VA DEM. Hurricane Isabel, 2003 (website).

–1 VA, Henrico County, Sep 19. Drowning; car in creek. VA DEM. Hurricane Isabel, 2003.

–1 VA, Isle of Wight Co., Sep 18, found Oct 21. Vehicle swept from roadway, man, 62.

Tree Fall: (4)

–1 VA, Accomack County, Parksley, Sep 18. Tree fall on trailer; male, 53.

–1 VA, City of Richmond, Sep 18. Tree fall on home. VA DEM. Hurricane Isabel, 2003.

–1 VA, New Kent County, Sep 18. Tree fall outside, male, 47.

–1 VA, Chesterfield County, Sep 18. Tree fall. VA DEM. Hurricane Isabel, 2003; NCDC.

Vehicular?: (1)

–1 NC, Chowan County, Sep 18-19. Vehicular; female, 32 (listed as the only “direct” death).[49]

Cause of Death (Indirect) (43)

Accidents: (See Falls as well): ( 3)

–1 VA, City of Norfolk, Sep 23. Neck fracture associated with tree removal. (VA DEM)

–1 VA, City of Norfolk, Oct 20. Crushed by storm debris pushed by bulldozer. (VA DEM)

–1 VA, City of Richmond, Oct 28. Crush injury, debris cleanup accident. VA DEM. Isabel.

Carbon Monoxide Poisoning: ( 8)

–8 Total. Hampson/Stock. “Storm- related Carbon Monoxide Poisoning…,” UHM, 2006, p260.

–3 MD, Anne Arundel County. Carbon monoxide poisoning.

–1 MD, Prince Georgia’s County, Sep 23. Apparent carbon monoxide poisoning, woman.[50]

–1 VA, Augusta County, Staunton,, Sep 19. Carbon monoxide, poorly ventilated generator.

–2 VA. Chesterfield County, Sep 19 (found). Carbon monoxide, poorly ventilated generator.

–1 VA, Isle of Wight County, Sep 20. Carbon monoxide poisoning, poorly ventilated generator.

Drowning: ( 4)

–1 VA, Newport News, Sep 26. Apparent drowning. (VA DEM. Hurricane Isabel, 2003.)

–1 VA, Rockingham Co., Blacks Run, ~Harrisonburg, Sep 19. Drowning; canoeing, male, 21.

–2 VA, Rockingham County, Sep 21. Drowned; washed away crossing low water bridge.

Electrocution: ( 3)

–1 MD, Baltimore County. Electrocution; electric utility worker.

–1 MD, Prince George’s County. Electrocution; electric utility worker.

–1 NC, Carteret County. Electrocution; utility worker, while restoring power.

Falls: ( 5)

–1 VA, Chesterfield County, Sep 22. Injuries from a fall in darkened home with no power.

–1 VA, Chesterfield Co., Sep 27. Fall from roof while cutting tree. VA DEM. Hurricane Isabel.

–1 VA, Chesterfield County, Dec 7. Fall from tree, debris cleanup accident. VA DEM. Isabel.

–1 VA, City of Norfolk, Nov 26. Fall from tree in debris cleanup accident. VA DEM. Isabel.

–1 VA, Hanover County, Sep 19 (found). Injuries from fall in darkened house with no power.

Fire: ( 1)

–1 VA, City of Norfolk, Oct 4. Fire caused by candle burning during power outage. (VA DEM)

Natural Causes (Health): ( 2)

–1 VA, Gloucester County, Sep 19. Heart attack after vehicle was swept up in high water.

–1 VA, New Kent County, Sep 21. Heart attack from exertion, cutting down trees.

Suicide: ( 1)

–1 VA, Henrico Co., Sep 21. Suicide; severe depression aggravated by lack of home power/water.

Tree/Limb Falls: ( 4)

–1 NJ, Independence Township, Warren County. Tree Fall onto vehicle; woman, 34.

–1 VA, City of Hopewell, Sep 19. Falling tree limb during storm cleanup. (VA DEM)

–1 VA, Goochland County, Sep 26. Falling tree. VA DEM. Hurricane Isabel, 2003 (website).

–1 VA, York Co., Nov 30. Falling tree on a power line in debris cleanup accident. (VADEM)[51]

Vehicular Accidents: (10)

–2 MD, Anne Arundel County. Vehicular.

–1 NC, Franklin County, Sep 18. Vehicular; man, 45, killed when car hits downed tree.

–1 PA. Traffic accident.

–2 VA, Albemarle County, Sep 18. Vehicle hits tree. VA DEM. Hurricane Isabel, 2003.

–1 VA, City of Richmond, I-95, Sep 18. Vehicular accident; vehicle hydroplanes in heavy rain.

–3 VA, Fluvanna County, Sep 18. Vehicle collision with fallen tree.

Not noted: ( 2)

–1 DC. Beven and Cobb. Tropical Cyclone Report, Hurricane Isabel… 11-16-2004 revision.

–1 PA. Second of two PA deaths noted by Bevin and Cobb (NWS). One was a traffic accident.

Narrative Information

Bevin/NHC: “Hurricane Isabel was a long-lived Cape Verde hurricane that reached Category 5 status on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale. It made landfall near Drum Inlet on the Outer Banks of North Carolina as a Category 2 hurricane. Isabel is considered to be one of the most significant tropical cyclones to affect portions of northeastern North Carolina and east-central Virginia since Hurricane Hazel in 1954 and the Chesapeake-Potomac Hurricane of 1933….

“Isabel made landfall near Drum Inlet, North Carolina near 1700 UTC 18 September as a Category 2 hurricane, then weakened as it moved across eastern North Carolina. It weakened to a tropical storm over southern Virginia, then lost tropical characteristics as it moved across western Pennsylvania on 19 September. Extratropical Isabel moved northward into Canada and was absorbed into a larger baroclinic system moving eastward across south central Canada early the next day.” (Beven, Jack and Hugh Cobb. Tropical Cyclone Report, Hurricane Isabel, 6-19 September 2003. Miami: National Hurricane Center, National Weather Service. 12-19-2003, revised 11-16-2004.)

CNN: “At least 40 deaths have been attributed to Hurricane Isabel and its devastating aftermath, as about 1 million customers still were out of power in areas hit by the storm that changed the landscape of North Carolina’s Outer Banks.

“The human toll was highest in Virginia, where at least 23 of the fatalities took place. President Bush was in Richmond, Virginia, on Monday being briefed on damage and recovery efforts and to tour an emergency operations center. “We have a lot of work to do. We’re going to keep working hard to get electricity up and running,” he told disaster relief workers, according to Reuters. The latest casualties to be attributed to Isabel were reported by Virginia officials. According to Bob Spieldenner of the state’s Department of Emergency Management, the most recent deaths included that of a depressed man who told his family he was upset by the storm and committed suicide. Also in Virginia, a man died of a heart attack while chopping a fallen tree; the driver of a car drowned when the vehicle was submerged in floodwaters; and a woman fell down the stairs in her home — which had lost its power — and broke her neck. Most storm-related deaths — 10 — were due to fallen trees. Drowning caused nine fatalities and carbon monoxide poisoning killed eight.

“In addition to the 23 in Virginia, Isabel also killed eight people in Maryland, three people in North Carolina, two each in New Jersey and Pennsylvania, and one each in New York and Rhode Island. In at least two cases — in Pennsylvania and in Maryland — carbon monoxide poisoning apparently originated in improperly ventilated generators in areas affected by power outages.

“Joe Frank, mayor of Newport News, Virginia, was critical of the response from the Federal Emergency Management Agency and said the agency told him it was “working on it” when he asked for help. “I’ve told them that I can’t feed people while they’re working on it,” Frank said. “I’ve told them we can’t relieve the police officers from their traffic-management responsibilities while they’re working on it. I’ve told them I can’t provide ice to preserve food while they’re working on it.” Frank said he needed “dates when we can expect something to happen so we can plan. And they said, ‘We appreciate that, and we’re working on it,’ ” he said.

“FEMA Director Michael Brown told CNN that he found it hard to believe the agency hadn’t responded efficiently. “We are meeting every request that we get from the state,” Brown said on CNN’s “Late Edition.” “I just find it difficult to believe that we’re not meeting a need if that need has been articulated to us. … I think that must be getting lost in the chain of command there.”

“Bush has declared major disaster areas in Virginia, North Carolina, Delaware and Washington, D.C., making those areas eligible for federal disaster-relief funds.” (CNN.com. “Isabel Death Toll Creeps Higher. Sep 23, 2003.)

Hampson: “Hurricane Isabel came ashore September 18, 2003 with 100 MPH winds in the Outer Banks of North Carolina and then moved up the Eastern seaboard. Major power outages occurred in North Carolina (67,000 customers), Virginia (1.8 million), Maryland (133,000), New Jersey, Pennsylvania, New York, and Rhode Island. Of 40 total fatalities from the storm reported in the news media, 8 were due to CO poisoning. In at least 2 cases, deaths were due to improperly ventilated electrical generators. Information on other CO sources, time from storm onset to ED [Emergency Department] presentation and use of hyperbaric oxygen treatment was not reported.” (Hampson and Stock. “Storm Related Carbon Monoxide Poisoning: Lessons Learned from Recent Epidemics.” Undersea Hyperbaric Medicine, Vol. 33, No. 4, 2006, p. 260.)

NWS: “2003 September 18 ISABEL. Made landfall near Ocracoke NC. The center passed west of Emporia and west of Richmond. Fastest 1 minute wind speed NE 54 mph with gusts to 75 mph at Norfolk NAS; NE 61 mph with gusts to 74 mph at the South Island CBBT. Highest tide at Sewells Point was 7.9 feet above MLLW, which was a 5 ft surge. Significant beach erosion was reported. Numerous trees and power lines down over a wide area, with over 2 million households without power in VA. VA damage was over $625 million, and there were over 20 deaths in VA.” (NWS. The Hurricane History of Central and Eastern Virginia. Wakefield, VA WFO.)

Virginia

Localities declared major disaster areas: 100
Fatalities: 32
Total damages (not including economic losses): $1.9 billion
Homes destroyed: 1,124
Businesses destroyed: 77
Homes damaged: 9,027
Businesses damaged: 1,400
Total amount of debris: 20 million cubic yards (equals 200,000 football fields)
Dump trucks used to haul debris: more than 660,000
Water delivered to localities 1.5 million gallons
Meals served: 1.4 million
Ice delivered to localities: 6 million pounds
Generators provided to localities: 150
Calls received at the Virginia Public Inquiry Center: 6,000
People who registered with FEMA for assistance: 93,000….

(VA DEMA. Virginia Hurricane History (website) “Hurricane Isabel, September 18, 2003,” noting data is up to 4-30-2004. Richmond: VA DEM, 2012.)

Sources

Beven, Jack and Hugh Cobb. Tropical Cyclone Report, Hurricane Isabel, 6-19 September 2003. Miami: National Hurricane Center, National Weather Service. 12-19-2003, revised 11-16-2004. Accessed 3-6-2014 at: http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/2003isabel.shtml

Chronicle-Telegram, Elyria, OH. “Isabel barrels inward, upward.” 9-19-2003, p. A3. Accessed at: http://newspaperarchive.com/fullpagepdfviewer?img=30032035&sterm

CNN. “Isabel Death Toll Creeps Higher. Fallen Trees, Drowning, Carbon Monoxide Killed Most Victims.” Sep 23, 2003. At: http://www.cnn.com/2003/WEATHER/09/22/isabel/index.html

Dao, James. “Frustration Is Growing As Storm Blackouts Persist.” New York Times, 9-23-2003. At: http://www.nytimes.com/2003/09/23/us/frustration-is-growing-as-storm-blackouts-persist.html

Hampson, N. B., Stock, A. L. “Storm Related Carbon Monoxide Poisoning: Lessons Learned from Recent Epidemics.” Undersea Hyperbaric Medicine, Vol. 33 No. 4, 2006. 257-263. At: http://archive.rubicon-foundation.org/dspace/bitstream/123456789/5054/1/17004412.pdf

Kokomo Tribune, IN. “Isabel pounds coast” (AP), 9-19-2003, p. 10. Accessed at: http://newspaperarchive.com/fullpagepdfviewer?img=113744464&sterm

Ling, Christina (Reuters). “Hurricane Isabel Paralyzes U.S. Capital,” Sep 18, 2003.

Martin, Theresa L. (GIS Specialist). Tropical Cyclone Isabel, Anne Arundel County, MD, September 2003. Anne Arundel County Office of Emergency Management, August 2008. At: http://www.aacounty.org/OEM/resources/TropicalCycloneIsabel_PublicVersionFinal.pdf

Mellott, Jeff. “A Deadly Morning After.” Daily News-Record, Harrisonburg, VA, 9-20-2003, p. 1. Accessed at: http://newspaperarchive.com/fullpagepdfviewer?img=150614583&sterm

National Climatic Data Center, NOAA. Storm Events Database. Event Details…High Surf… New Jersey…Eastern Cape May…09/18/2003 06:00…09/20/2003 18:00 [report time-frame]. Accessed 3-6-2014 at: http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=5337624

National Climatic Data Center, NOAA. Storm Events Database. Event Details…High Wind… New Jersey…Warren [County]…09/18/2003 16:00…09/19/2003 05:00 [report time-frame]. Accessed 3-6-2014 at: http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=5336736

National Climatic Data Center, NOAA. Storm Events Database. Event Details…Hurricane (Typhoon)…North Carolina…Chowan [county], 09/18/2003 03:00…09/19/2003 01:00 (report time-frame). Accessed at: http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=5370978

National Climatic Data Center, NOAA. Storm Events Database. Event Details…Hurricane (Typhoon)…North Carolina…Franklin [county], 09/18/2003. Accessed at: http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=5337294

National Climatic Data Center, NOAA. Storm Events Database. Event Details… Hurricane (Typhoon)…Virginia…Accomack…09/18/2003…09/19/2003 (reporting period). Accessed 3-13-2014 at: http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=5372162

National Climatic Data Center, NOAA. Storm Events Database. Event Details…Hurricane (Typhoon)… Virginia…Isle of Wight…09/18/3003…09/19/2003 (reporting period). Accessed 3-13-2014 at: http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=5372166

National Climatic Data Center, NOAA. Storm Events Database. Event Details…Hurricane (Typhoon)…Virginia…New Kent…09/18/2003…09/19/2003 (reporting period). Accessed 3-13-2014 at: http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=5372183

National Climatic Data Center, NOAA. Storm Events Database. “Event Details…Tropical Storm…Maryland…Northern Baltimore…09/18/2003 16:00…09/19/2003 15:00 [reporting timeframe].” Accessed at: http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=5335404

National Climatic Data Center, NOAA. Storm Events Database. Event Details…Tropical Storm …New York…Nassau [county]…09/18/2003. Accessed at: http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=5336316

National Weather Service Weather Forecast Office, Wakefield, VA. The Hurricane History of Central and Eastern Virginia. At: http://www.erh.noaa.gov/er/akq/adobe_pdf/Hurrhist.pdf

Payne, Kimball. “More Than 30 State Deaths Linked to Isabel, Says Medical Examiner.” Daily Press, Newport News, VA. 11-2-2003. Accessed 3-12-2014 at: http://articles.dailypress.com/2003-11-02/news/0311020018_1_monoxide-hurricane-isabel-isabel-s-victims

Reuters. “Isabel’s Thrash Through East Coast Kills 12,” 9-19-2003.

The Gazette, Cedar Rapids, IA. “Hurricane Isabel pounds East Coast,” 9-19-2003, 3A. Accessed at: http://newspaperarchive.com/fullpagepdfviewer?img=154597336&sterm

The Scotsman. “Hurricane Isabel claims six lives,” Edinburgh, Scotland, 9-19-2003. Accessed at: http://www.scotsman.com/news/world/hurricane-isabel-claims-six-lives-1-893160

Virginia Department of Emergency Management. Hurricane Isabel, 2003 (website). 2012. Accessed 3-12-2014 at: http://www.vaemergency.gov/news/history/disaster-mini-site/isabel2003

Virginia Department of Emergency Management. Virginia Hurricane History (website) “Hurricane Isabel, September 18, 2003,” noting data is up to 4-30-2004. Richmond: VA DEM, 2012. http://www.vaemergency.gov/readyvirginia/stay-informed/hurricanes/hurricane-history

Wikipedia. “Hurricane Isabel.” 3-6-2014 modification. Accessed 3-6-2014 at: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hurricane_Isabel

Additional Reading

Murphy, Ryan. “Hurricane Isabel prompted infrastructure improvements, better communication.” Daily Press, Newport News, VA, 9-15-2013. Accessed 3-12-2014 at: http://articles.dailypress.com/2013-09-15/news/dp-nws-isabel-tenth-what-did-we-learn-20130915_1_dominion-virginia-power-bonita-harris-backup-power

National Weather Service. Hurricane Isabel, September 18-19, 2003 Service Assessment. Silver Spring, MD: NWS, NOAA, Dept. of Commerce, 2004. Accessed 3-13-2014 at: http://www.nws.noaa.gov/os/assessments/pdfs/isabel.pdf

National Weather Service Weather Forecast Office, Wakefield, VA. “Preliminary Post Storm Report…Hurricane Isabel…Updated…Oct 9, 2003.” Hurricane Isabel, Sept 18-20 (NOAA, NCDC). Accessed 3-13-2014 at: http://www.erh.noaa.gov/akq/wx_events/hur/isabel_2003.htm

[1] Range of one has to do with Maryland where we count nine fatalities but two other sources have 8.

[2] See, also: CNN.com. “Isabel Death Toll Creeps Higher. Sep 23, 2003.

[3] Martin. Tropical Cyclone Isabel, Anne Arundel County, MD, Sept. 2003. Anne Arundel Co. OEM, Aug 2008, p8.

[4] Martin. Tropical Cyclone Isabel, Anne Arundel County, MD, Sept. 2003. Anne Arundel Co. OEM, Aug 2008, p8.

[5] Martin. Tropical Cyclone Isabel, Anne Arundel County, MD, Sept. 2003. Anne Arundel Co. OEM, Aug 2008, p8.

[6] Firefighters in Prince George’s County, Md., today found the body of a woman who appeared to have died from carbon monoxide poisoning. Officials said the owner of the house in which the woman died had been running a gasoline-powered electrical generator in his basement, allowing deadly carbon monoxide fumes to seep into an upstairs bedroom. The homeowner was hospitalized for carbon monoxide sickness.” (James Dao. “Frustration Is Growing As Storm Blackouts Persist.” New York Times, 9-23-2003.)

[7] Martin. Tropical Cyclone Isabel, Anne Arundel County, MD, Sept. 2003. Anne Arundel Co. OEM, Aug 2008, p8.

[8] See, also: CNN.com. “Isabel Death Toll Creeps Higher. Sep 23, 2003.

[9] NCDC, NOAA. Storm Events Database. Event Details…High Wind…New Jersey…Warren [county].

[10] NCDC, NOAA. Storm Events Database. Event Details…High Surf…New Jersey…Eastern Cape May.

[11] See, also: CNN.com. “Isabel Death Toll Creeps Higher. Sep 23, 2003.

[12] NCDC, NOAA. Storm Events Database. Event Details…Tropical Storm…New York…Nassau [county].

[13] See, also: CNN.com. “Isabel Death Toll Creeps Higher. Sep 23, 2003.

[14] The Scotsman. “Hurricane Isabel claims six lives,” Edinburgh, Scotland, 9-19-2003.

[15] The Gazette, Cedar Rapids, IA. “Hurricane Isabel pounds East Coast,” 9-19-2003, 3A.

[16] NCDC, NOAA. Storm Events Database. Event Details…Hurricane…North Carolina…Chowan [county].

[17] NCDC, NOAA. Storm Events Database. Event Details…Hurricane…North Carolina…Franklin [county].

[18] See, also: CNN.com. “Isabel Death Toll Creeps Higher. Sep 23, 2003.

[19] Reuters. “Isabel’s Thrash Through East Coast Kills 12,” 9-19-2003.

[20] See, also: CNN.com. “Isabel Death Toll Creeps Higher. Sep 23, 2003.

[21] “The state medical examiner’s office in Richmond sizes up hurricane-related deaths using one question: Would this person be alive today if not for this storm? If the answer is no [yes?] then they become one of Isabel’s victims. As of late Friday [Nov 1], Hurricane Isabel’s death toll in Virginia stood at 33 people. Of those, nine are estimated to have died during the actual storm.”

[22] VA DEM. Hurricane Isabel, 2003 (website).

[23] NCDC. Storm Events Database. Event Details…Hurricane…Virginia…Accomack…09/18/2003…09/19/2003.

[24] Noted as “direct” death at NCDC, Storm Events Database…Tropical Storm…Virginia…Chesterfield…9/18/2003.

[25] VA DEM. Hurricane Isabel, 2003 (website).

[26] VA DEM. Hurricane Isabel, 2003 (website).

[27] VA DEM. Hurricane Isabel, 2003 (website).

[28] VA DEM. Hurricane Isabel, 2003 (website); Payne. “More Than 30 State Deaths Linked to Isabel…” 11-2-2003.

[29] VA DEM. Hurricane Isabel, 2003 (website); Payne. “More Than 30 State Deaths Linked to Isabel…” 11-2-2003.

[30] VA DEM. Hurricane Isabel, 2003 (website); Payne. “More Than 30 State Deaths Linked to Isabel…” 11-2-2003.

[31] VA DEM. Hurricane Isabel, 2003 (website); Payne. “More Than 30 State Deaths Linked to Isabel…” 11-2-2003.

[32] VA DEM. Hurricane Isabel, 2003; .Ling (Reuters). “Hurricane Isabel Paralyzes U.S. Capital,” Sep 18, 2003.

[33] VA DEM. Hurricane Isabel, 2003 (website).

[34] VA DEM. Hurricane Isabel, 2003 (website).

[35] VA DEM. Hurricane Isabel, 2003 (website); Payne. “More Than 30 State Deaths Linked to Isabel…” 11-2-2003.

[36] VA DEM. Hurricane Isabel, 2003 (website).

[37] VA DEM. Hurricane Isabel, 2003 (website); Payne. “More Than 30 State Deaths Linked to Isabel…” 11-2-2003.

[38] VA DEM. Hurricane Isabel, 2003 (website); Payne. “More Than 30 State Deaths Linked to Isabel…” 11-2-2003.

[39] VA DEM. Hurricane Isabel, 2003 (website); Payne. “More Than 30 State Deaths Linked to Isabel…” 11-2-2003.

[40] NCDC. Storm Events Database. Event Details…Hurricane…Virginia…Isle of Wight…09/18/3003…09/19/2003.

[41] Payne. “More Than 30 State Deaths Linked to Isabel, Says Medical Examiner.” 11-2-2003.

[42] Kokomo Tribune, IN. “Isabel pounds coast.” 9-19-2003, p. 10; VA DEM. Hurricane Isabel, 2003 (website).

[43] NCDC. Storm Events Database. Event Details…Hurricane…Virginia…New Kent…09/18/2003…09/19/2003.

[44] VA DEM. Hurricane Isabel, 2003 (website); Payne. “More Than 30 State Deaths Linked to Isabel…” 11-2-2003.

[45] VA DEM. Hurricane Isabel, 2003 (website).

[46] Christopher Ball. (Mellott. “A Deadly Morning After.” Daily News-Record, Harrisonburg, VA, 9-20-2003, 1.)

[47] VA DEM. Hurricane Isabel, 2003 (website).

[48] In that Bevin and Cobb list 10 direct deaths in VA and we show 7, and in that Martin shows 17 U.S. direct deaths, we conclude that we have placed several “direct” deaths in the “indirect” section below – probably from the vehicular section where there were two incidents involving five deaths in Virginia on Sep 18.

[49] NCDC, NOAA. Storm Events Database. Event Details…Hurricane…North Carolina…Chowan [county].

[50] Firefighters in Prince George’s County, Md., today found the body of a woman who appeared to have died from carbon monoxide poisoning. Officials said the owner of the house in which the woman died had been running a gasoline-powered electrical generator in his basement, allowing deadly carbon monoxide fumes to seep into an upstairs bedroom. The homeowner was hospitalized for carbon monoxide sickness.” (James Dao. “Frustration Is Growing As Storm Blackouts Persist.” New York Times, 9-23-2003.)

[51] It appears to be electrocution; otherwise why note that the tree fell on a power line?