09/06/2026
On this day in 2003 (September 6th), Hurricane Isabel formed in the eastern Atlantic. It went on to make landfall in the Outer Banks on September 18th and became Virginia’s costliest weather disaster at the time causing an estimated $1.85 billion in damage.
Gusts to 60mph and 4-8” of rain were common across the Shenandoah Valley. Some locations along the Blue Ridge received as much as 20”.
Along the coast, Isabel packed an even bigger punch with a gust of 107mph recorded at Gwynns Island in Mathews County, 100 mph at Reedville, and 92 mph in Hampton.