Hurricane Isabel reached Virginia on 18 September 2003. Gloucester and Mathews counties were ordered to evacuate, and storm surge flooded the Gloucester Point waterfront. A VIMS study measured onshore winds above 20 metres a second for more than 12 hours there. This guide explains what that record means for a roof check.
Key takeaways
- Isabel reached Virginia on 18 September 2003.
- Evacuations were ordered for Gloucester County and Mathews County.
- A VIMS study measured onshore winds above 20 m/s for over 12 hours at Gloucester Point.
- A VIMS summary reported a 7-foot storm tide topped by 6-foot waves off Gloucester Point.
- Gloucester County's first Hazard Mitigation Grant followed Isabel.
What happened on the Gloucester Point waterfront in 2003?
Storm surge from Isabel flooded the Gloucester Point waterfront on 18 September 2003. A VIMS summary reported a 7-foot storm tide topped by 6-foot waves off the point.
A photograph held by Old Dominion University documents the surge flooding at Gloucester Point on the York that day. The VIMS study attributed the high surge to the storm's path and its slow speed as well as the wind.
Why was the York River surge so high?
A VIMS study of the York River estuary found onshore winds above 20 m/s lasting more than 12 hours at Gloucester Point. The study attributed the high surge to the storm's path and slow speed.
Wind pushing water onto the shore for that long is why the waterfront took the surge. For roof checks, the lesson is that wind exposure at the river edge can last hours, not minutes.
What did the storm do to people and property in Gloucester?
A news report recorded more than 20 residents trapped on rooftops by floodwater in Gloucester. Gloucester County later applied for its first Hazard Mitigation Grant after Isabel.
That grant funded 15 properties bought and demolished and six homes elevated, according to the regional hazard-mitigation plan. Statewide damage totals differ between sources, so this guide does not print one.
| Item | Record |
|---|---|
| Date Isabel reached Virginia | 18 September 2003 |
| Residents reported on rooftops | More than 20 (news report) |
| Properties bought and demolished | 15 (regional hazard-mitigation plan) |
| Homes elevated | Six |
What does Isabel mean for a roof check today?
A roof check on the river side looks for the marks that wind and water leave, including lifted edges, displaced flashing and gutters pulled from the fascia. Isabel is a reminder to look at the whole roof after any strong blow.
This guide does not say that Isabel damaged any named roof. A technician can tell you what a storm has done to your own roof.
Frequently asked questions
When did Hurricane Isabel reach Virginia?
Isabel entered Virginia on 18 September 2003, and evacuations were ordered for Gloucester County and Mathews County as it arrived.
Did Hurricane Isabel flood Gloucester Point?
Storm surge flooded the Gloucester Point waterfront on 18 September 2003, according to the VIMS summary and a photograph held by Old Dominion University.
Was there a 1933 hurricane record for the area?
Yes. The 1933 Chesapeake-Potomac hurricane holds the Sewell's Point gauge record of 8.02 feet, with Isabel second at about 7.9 feet.
Does this guide list the total damage from Isabel?
No. Statewide damage totals differ between sources, so this guide does not print one.
Sources
- Wikipedia – Effects of Hurricane Isabel in Virginia
- Virginia Institute of Marine Science – Hurricane Isabel storm surge
This guide is general information for Gloucester County homeowners, not a substitute for an on-site inspection. Prices are estimates. See our disclaimer.