Hatteras Island was cut in two on September 18, 2003, by Hurricane Isabel which opened a new inlet  wide and  deep through the community of Hatteras Village on the southern end of Hatteras Island. This new inlet was temporarily named the Isabel Inlet after the hurricane.
On September 18, 2003, Hurricane Isabel caused a significant change to Hatteras Island by splitting it in two at Hatteras Village. A new inlet, wide and deep, opened up through the community, which was initially called the Isabel Inlet.