HAMPTON ROADS, Va. — Local municipalities around Hampton Roads and Northeastern North Carolina are preparing for a tropical storm Friday evening into the weekend.
A storm system forming off of Florida is expected to roll up the coast, bringing gusty winds, heavy downpours and the threat for tidal flooding, according to First Warning Weather Chief Meteorologist Patrick Rockey. Tropical Storm Warnings are in effect until 8 a.m. on Sunday. The storm is expected to become a tropical storm as it moves north.
Weather
TROPICAL STORM WARNING: Get ready for gusty winds, heavy rain, flooding
Here's how cities are preparing:
Hampton:
The city of Hampton said it's monitoring the weather, as well.
"We have our public works crews out making sure that ditches are clean and storm drains are clear and that we are all ready to move that water through as fast as we can," said Robin McCormick, a spokesperson for the city. "We do want to remind people though, do not pick up put out your bulk trash early. We'll get your trash on Friday, but if your collection and until Monday or Tuesday, don't put anything out because it could very likely to float away hit a storm drain and make flooding worse for you and all your neighbors."
Newport News:
"The Newport News Stormwater Division has begun preparing for the possibility of heavy rains and the potential storm impacts predicted for this Friday, Saturday and possibly into Sunday. Teams are cleaning and flushing storm drain catch basins, hand cleaning barscreens, and responding to service requests. We are also inspecting and monitoring low lying areas prone to nuisance flooding. Street Maintenance is securing job sites and bringing all equipment to the road yards."
Norfolk:
Thursday afternoon, crews could be seen checking storm drains and ditches in the The Hague area of Ghent, which is known to flood.
"Street flooded" signs were flipped across the city Thursday.
Jim Redick, the director of emergency preparedness and response, told News 3's Jay Greene pump station staff would begin closing downtown floodgates Friday morning and early afternoon.
"So everyone's following their battle rhythm for these types of events. And so our Public Works crews are going out with their vac trucks, cleaning out sewage areas, working on pump stations, making sure that they're all operational and working properly," he said.
The city of Norfolk says that cleaning drains and ditches. Sewer cleaning trucks, pump station staff and operations crews will remain on-call all weekend. The city is closing the Nauticas flood gate on Friday and it will remain closed.
Both the York Street Garage and Brambleton Lot are open to residents looking to move their vehicles to higher ground until 9 a.m. on Sunday, Sept. 24, and ODU has opened Constant Center 43rd Street Garage (1067 W 43rd St.) for Norfolk residents to use until 5 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 24.
All Norfolk Public Library locations, Slover Library, as well as rec centers are closed on Saturday, Sept. 23. Beach and park restrooms closed at 3 p.m. Friday. The Offices of the Treasurer, Commissioner of Revenue and Elections closed at 1 p.m. today.
Virginia Beach:
IMMEDIATE ATTENTION: Pungo and Sandbridge are prone to tidal wind flooding and could face potential road closures, particularly Sandbridge Road. It could have major effects to all Virginia Beach homes, especially to those in District 2 as they are most geographically vulnerable to storm surge, large accumulation of windblown sand and debris activity from strong winds. Sandwiched between the Atlantic Ocean and Back Bay, Pungo and Sandbridge present unique challenges to navigating storm impacts.
Statement from the city: Virginia Beach Emergency Management is monitoring a weather system that could bring heavy rain, rough surf, increased possibility of flooding and tropical storm-force winds to Virginia Beach. The worst of the weather looks to start early Saturday morning and into the day. City departments have been making appropriate storm preparations such as checking storm drains and pump stations, building berms to protect infrastructure like the main Neptune Festival tent, inspecting and securing equipment, and securing additional staffing to support emergency conditions. High water vehicles and bucket trucks for downed trees are staged in preparation.
“The Emergency Management team works year-round to plan and prepare for storm response. While the track of this storm is still unpredictable, we want residents to take action today to protect property and to stay safe,” said David Topczynski, director of Emergency Management. “We are prepared for all scenarios.” As of this morning, the City is currently under normal operating conditions. There are no known facility closures at this time. Virginia Beach City Public Schools (VBCPS) has announced that all after-school activities and programming are canceled today with the exception of Parks and Recreation after-school programs. At this time, all VBCPS school and school use activities are also canceled for the remainder of the weekend. Emergency Management continues to monitor the storm path with the National Weather Service/Wakefield (NWS) and will make any further adjustments early Friday afternoon as exact arrival of weather is determined.
Parking: City garages are now open to move personal vehicles into covered shelter and higher ground. Virginia Beach residents may park their vehicles for FREE in Resort Area municipal garages at 9th and 31st streets through noon on Sunday, Sept. 24. When entering, pull a ticket from the kiosk. Scan ticket at the kiosk to exit garage by Sunday at noon to avoid charges. Parking is also available at four municipal garages at Town Center. Individuals looking to move their vehicles to higher ground may not park in the 24-hour reserved spaces at the Town Center garages. These spaces are leased by residents, and towing will be enforced. Be aware that if garages lose power, lighting and elevators will not be operable. Maroon Garage (Apex Entertainment VB) Red Garage (Westin Hotel) Green Garage (Armada Hoffler Tower) Orange Garage (Clark Nexsen Tower)
Suffolk:
Statement from the city: "City Manager Al Moor met with City Administration and Public Safety officials this morning, Friday, September 22, 2023 related to local emergency measures in order to ensure the safety of our citizens. The team will continue to closely monitor the weather event and take any necessary actions moving forward. As Tropical Storm Ophelia approaches Suffolk, VA, the National Weather Service has issued the following:
Flood Watch in effect from September 22, 02:00 PM EDT until September 24, 12:00 AM EDT; Storm Surge Warning until further notice; Tropical Storm Warning until further notice.
Suffolk Public Works Department has made necessary preparations for Tropical Storm Ophelia and remain on standby to respond to any incidents that might occur. Citizens should be aware that the Kimberly Bridge on Main Street and Constance Road may experience tidal flooding resulting in possible road closures.
City personnel and equipment are ready to respond to situations involving downed trees, debris and flooding issues, with all known normal high water spots having been checked for blockages and open drainage ways. Citizens are encouraged to report down wires and trees to Suffolk Emergency Communications Center by dialing 9-1-1.
Public Works Roadway Operations will have Rapid Response Team on-call overnight and throughout the weekend in each of the four Maintenance Headquarters beginning at 6 p.m. today.
Suffolk Police and Suffolk Fire & Rescue have strategically placed high water vehicles and equipment across the City and will increase staffing for needs that may arise as a result of the storm. City staff will have liberal leave for all non-Alpha personnel starting at 12:00 p.m. today, Friday, September 22, 2023.
Army National Guard and the SWIFT Water Rescue Teams are on standby in Suffolk, VA and are prepared to provide regional support as needed."
