 The effects of Hurricane Isabel were generally light in the southeastern portion of the state . Sustained winds reached 72 mph ( 116 km / h ) offshore in the Frying Pan Shoals , where a gust of 82 mph ( 132 km / h ) was also reported . Sustained winds were lighter along the coast , peaking at 45 mph ( 72 km / h ) at the Wilmington International Airport , while gusts reached 66 mph ( 106 km / h ) at a North Carolina State Ports Authority facility in Wilmington . Tropical storm force wind gusts were reported as far inland as Lumberton , where gusts reached 52 mph ( 54 km / h ) . The large circulation of Isabel dropped moderate rainfall across the area , peaking at 4 @.@ 51 inches ( 115 mm ) in <unk> . Additionally , weather radars estimated over 5 inches ( 125 mm ) of precipitation fell in portions of New Hanover County . The rainfall resulted in ponding on roadways , though no severe flooding was reported . Storm tides were generally around 1 foot ( 0 @.@ 3 m ) above normal , though Wilmington reported a storm tide of 3 @.@ 22 feet ( 1 m ) . Rough waves resulted in moderate beach erosion near Cape Fear and minor erosion along eastward @-@ facing beaches north of Cape Fear . 
