Hurricane Isabel in Duck, NC.
Sept 18, 2003
| When Hurricane Isabel appraoched the FRF on September 18, 2003 - she became the most significant event in our 27 year history. This storm produced the largest waves ever recorded at the FRF. The largest wave (crest to trough) measured from the FRF Waverider buoy during Hurricane Isabel was 12.1m (39.7ft), recorded on 18 Sep at 1411 EST. The buoy is located at 36 10' 6.1" N, 75 42' 0.8" W, with a nominal depth of 17.0m. Several waves were observed in the 11-12m (36-39ft) range. The eye of the hurricane made landfall near Ocracoke Inlet about 113km (70mi) south of Duck. |
| Significant wave height | 8.1m | 26.6ft |
| Storm surge | 1.5m | 5ft |
| Max wind gust | 41.3m/s | 92mph |
| Winds sustained | 35.4m/s | 79mph |
| This significant wave height was computed for a 53 minute record. Wind gust is computed for a 5 second average and sustained is a 60s average. Here are links to more data taken at the FRF. | |||
| Data Tables | WIND | WAVE | TIDE |
| Data Plots | WIND | WAVE | TIDE |
 Wave height(m) 2 miles offshore click for more |
|
 Beach Snapshots during the storm |
 Pictures of Hurricane damage |
 NOAA Isabel Data Portal |
 Currents |
 Isabel's Track |
 Satellite Image |
 Surge prediction-National Hurricane Center-(7MB animated GIF) |
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| Other links concerning Isabel. |