 Isabel produced strong winds throughout inland areas of eastern North Carolina . Plymouth , located 75 miles ( 120 km ) from where the hurricane made landfall , reported gusts to 95 mph ( 155 km / h ) . Sustained winds were lighter , with only a few locations receiving tropical storm strength winds . The passage of the hurricane resulted in moderate rainfall of up to 6 @.@ 02 inches ( 153 mm ) in Havelock . Upon making landfall , Isabel produced moderate to severe storm surges along the Pamlico and Neuse Rivers , with a location in Craven County reporting a storm tide of 10 @.@ 5 feet ( 3 @.@ 2 m ) above normal . 
