Hurricanes with particular reference to Hurricane Isabel
A hurricane is a large rotating storm around a centre of intense low pressure. ... Background Hurricane Isabel formed in the central Atlantic Ocean on September 6th, 2003 and finally diminished on the 19th September. It is considered to be the most significant tropical cyclones to affect portions of North Eastern North Carolina and East- Central Virginia since Hurricane Hazel in 1954. Hurricane Isabel reached the most severe category 5 status whilst over the Atlantic, however by the time Isabel reached land, it was a category 2 hurricane with winds sustained at 85 knots, the most intense winds reaching 145 knots. Isabel displayed a persistent 35-45 n mi diameter eye. Isabel, at its lowest pressure was 920 mb. Isabel produced storm surges of 6-8ft above normal tide levels, near the point of landfall along the Atlantic coast of North Carolina.