Hurricane Isabel was a large and powerful Category 5 Atlantic hurricane that struck the east coast of the United States in September 2003. The ninth named storm, fifth hurricane, and second major hurricane of the season, Isabel formed in the eastern Atlantic Ocean on September 6 from a tropical wave. It moved northwestward through an area with light wind shear and warm waters, resulting in strengthening. Isabel reached peak winds of 165 mph (266 km/h) on September 11. After fluctuating in intensity for four days, Isabel gradually weakened and made landfall on the Outer Banks of North Carolina, with winds of 105 mph (169 km/h) on September 18, or a Category 2 on the Saffir-Simpson scale. Isabel quickly weakened over land and became extratropical over western Pennsylvania on the next day. On September 20, the extratropical remnants of Isabel were absorbed into another system over Eastern Canada. Category 5 hurricane: peak winds of 165 mph (145 knots), lowest pressure 915 mb. September 6 – September 20, 2003. Landfall: September 18 at 105 mph, 34.9°N 76.2°W. Accumulated cyclone energy: 63.3. Wiki link Track: NOAA National Hurricane Center, HURDAT2 best track AL132003 (public domain).