The Weather Impact Alert warns of strong winds, heavy rain, coastal flooding from Monday to Tuesday in Virginia and North Carolina due to a low-pressure system.
VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. — The 13News Now Weather Team has declared a Weather Impact Alert for Monday night and Tuesday, Sept. 15–16, as a coastal low-pressure system drifts closer to the region, bringing widespread impacts to Virginia and North Carolina’s shoreline.
The Latest updates
All staff and students should report two hours later than usual on Thursday.
The city of Norfolk posted after about six hours that the road was reopened for vehicles.
All the other warnings for flash floods in the region have expired. However, a coastal flood warning remains in effect for most of the region.
Below is the City's statement in full:
Our community is experiencing a heavy amount of rainfall, more than what was originally forecasted. Over the past twelve hours, our area has received roughly 4–6 inches of rain. Currently, we have thousands of residents without power. We understand the frustration and challenges this rain-induced flooding has caused for our community, especially in our low-lying areas.
For example, the recently installed Windsor Woods Tide Gate currently has five temporary pumps in place to help lower Lake Windsor. However, during heavy rain events like this, those pumps don’t have the full capacity needed. The City has a project underway to replace these temporary pumps with a permanent, larger pump station that will provide more protection in future storms.
As we continue to respond to this rain event, what we need residents to do right now is to call Virginia Beach non-emergency at 311 if you see a downed tree blocking a road and report all power outages directly to Dominion Energy. We want to make sure our public safety teams can get to neighbors in need during emergency situations.
According to Dominion Energy, over 15,000 customers are without power as storms sweep through.
Most of them are concentrated in Virginia Beach, with 11,500 customers in the dark. Norfolk is seeing over 2,500 outages, and Portsmouth and Suffolk are seeing over 500 each.
A house collapsed in Buxton, North Carolina, on Tuesday, making it the 12th home in the past five years to do so on the Outer Banks.
Officials with the Cape Hatteras National Seashore said the house at 46227 Tower Circle Road was unoccupied at the time of the collapse. They are urging visitors to avoid the beach and stay out of the water near Buxton to avoid the debris.
A Flash Flood Warning has been issued in Northampton County until 8:15 p.m.
According to VDOT, the Jamestown-Scotland Ferry could be impacted this evening by high winds and high tides and could experience "potential intermittent service outages."
"At this time, the highest potential for service interruptions is between approximately 6:30 p.m. and 11:30 p.m. tonight," VDOT said. "Estimates of times are based on current tide predictions and are subject to change."
Alternate routes they provided include the following:
Alternate route to Jamestown from the Surry boarding location:
Alternate route to Surry from the Jamestown boarding location:
You can monitor the status of the ferry by calling 800-VA-FERRY.
A severe thunderstorm warning for Northampton County has been issued by the National Weather Service.
The warning extends until 5:30 p.m. and impacts localities such as Nassawadox, Capeville, Kiptopeke State Park, Machipongo and Eastville.
Severe thunderstorms with up to 60 mph wind gusts are anticipated.
A Flash Flood Warning has been issued for Virginia Beach, Norfolk, Portsmouth and Chesapeake until 6:45 p.m.
The Monticello Avenue underpass in Norfolk is closed until further notice due to high water. Drivers are urged to use Granby Street or Colley Avenue as alternate routes.
After-school activities at several Hampton Roads schools are being impacted by Tuesday's severe weather conditions. Virginia Beach City Public Schools, Hampton City Schools, Portsmouth Public Schools, Suffolk Public Schools, and St. Gregory the Great School have all canceled their PM activities. Click here for the latest closings and delays.
A Flash Flood Warning has been issued for Virginia Beach, Norfolk, Portsmouth and Chesapeake until 4:45 p.m.
High tides and steady rain are causing flooding across Hampton Roads.
In Norfolk’s Larchmont neighborhood on Surrey Crescent, water has spilled into driveways and sidewalks. One resident, who has lived on the street for nearly 60 years, said flooding is a familiar sight during severe weather.
"You have to watch the tide here on this street, because when it gets to a certain point, I can't get out of my driveway and you can't get to the other end of the street," she said.
Other areas of Hampton Roads also experienced heavy rainfall, leaving drivers on high alert. Waves are active along the Virginia Beach oceanfront, and standing water has accumulated in spots where storm drains couldn’t keep up.
Experts are urging drivers to exercise caution. Hydroplaning is a risk in wet conditions, and extra water on roads means longer stopping distances. Drivers should leave extra space between vehicles and never attempt to drive through flooded areas, even six inches of water can stall a car.
The Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel is under Level 1 wind restrictions on Tuesday, with a 45 mph speed limit and no passing. Check CBBT's website for more info.
Storms moving through Hampton Roads and northeast North Carolina knocked out power for thousands of Dominion Energy customers Tuesday morning.
As of 11 a.m., about 1,762 Dominion Energy customers remain without power in southeastern Virginia, including 1,389 in Portsmouth, 147 in Suffolk, and 123 in Virginia Beach.
The North Carolina Department of Transportation says NC12 on the north end of Ocracoke Island reopened at 9:30 a.m. Tuesday as ferry service between Hatteras and Ocracoke resumed. Drivers are urged to use caution, with possible sand and water still on the roadway.
A Flash Flood Warning has been issued for Virginia Beach, Norfolk, Portsmouth and Chesapeake until 11:45 a.m.
The official peak tide level this morning reached 4.4 feet above the mean lower low water. This was about 2.4 inches below the forecast height for the tide gauge. The next high tide will come late today at 5:52pm. The forecast is currently calling for "moderate" tidal flooding with a level of 5.6 feet expected.
Due to flooding concerns, Poquoson City Schools have declared Tuesday will run on a half-day schedule.
Below are the half-day dismissal schedules by school:
Meteorologist Evan Stewart went out to the Hague in Norfolk in the 13News Now Weather Impact Interceptor to investigate flooding impacts.
Watch his report:
Officials have closed a stretch of NC-12 on the north end of Ocracoke Island because of deteriorating conditions. The closure runs from the ferry terminal to the National Park Service Pony Pens. Crews will re-evaluate the roadway at first light Tuesday.
The National Weather Service has issued a Coastal Flood Warning for parts of Hampton Roads, including Virginia Beach, Norfolk, Chesapeake, Newport News, Hampton, Suffolk, James City, Isle of Wight, and Surry. Flooding of 1–2 feet above ground is expected in low-lying areas near shorelines and tidal waterways, with road closures and property damage possible.
Warnings are in effect from Monday afternoon through late Tuesday night, with some advisories continuing into early Wednesday. Residents near the waterfront are urged to take precautions.
A Flood Watch is in effect from Monday afternoon through late Tuesday night for parts of northeast North Carolina and southeastern Virginia, including Norfolk, Virginia Beach, Chesapeake, Newport News, and surrounding areas.
The National Weather Service warns that heavy rainfall from a coastal low could lead to flooding in rivers, streams, low-lying, and urban areas. Residents are urged to stay alert and avoid driving through flooded roads.
Newport News officials are urging residents to stay alert as heavy rain combined with tidal flooding could impact roadways and cause temporary closures.
On Tuesday morning, the James River Bridge may experience wind gusts up to 35 mph, with minor to moderate tidal flooding expected during the Tuesday evening high tide.
Norfolk officials are warning residents that tidal flooding is expected in low-lying areas from tonight through Tuesday night.
To help, the York Street Garage at 215 W. York St. will be open free of charge starting today at 3 p.m. and will remain available until 10 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 17.
Residents are urged to move vehicles from flood-prone areas before high tide and use navigation apps like WAZE to avoid flooded roads.
Visitors to Cape Hatteras National Seashore are being warned to use extra caution at the beach through Tuesday as a low-pressure system moves across the coast. Forecasters with the National Weather Service in Newport/Morehead City say the system could bring heavy rain, strong winds, minor flooding and dangerous surf conditions along both the ocean and sound.
The warning comes as oceanfront homes in Rodanthe and Buxton continue to take a beating from recent storms. Several damaged structures remain at risk of collapse, and park officials are urging people to stay off the beaches near the north ends of both villages.
Swimming is also discouraged until conditions improve, and drivers using oceanside off-road vehicle routes are advised to watch for erosion and ocean overwash.
An area of low pressure off the Southeast coast will move westward while interacting with high pressure to the north. That pressure difference is expected to generate strong northeast winds of 15–30 mph, with gusts up to 35–40 mph, especially along the coast.
The onshore winds will push water inland, with tide levels at Sewells Point (Norfolk) forecast to reach minor to almost moderate flood thresholds late Monday and into Tuesday. Minor coastal flooding is possible during Monday’s late afternoon high tide and Tuesday morning’s cycle, with higher levels expected Tuesday evening.
Shallow flooding of up to a foot above ground level could affect roads, parking lots, parks and low-lying areas near the shoreline. The National Weather Service warns of dangerous swimming and surfing conditions, with breaking waves of 7–10 feet creating rough surf, beach erosion and a high risk of rip currents.
Heavy rainfall will add to the coastal impacts. Totals of 2–3 inches are expected through Tuesday, with locally higher amounts possible. Forecasters warn of ponding on roads and localized flooding in poor drainage areas.
Advisories in effect
Coastal Flood Warnings are posted across Hampton Roads, including Norfolk, Virginia Beach, Chesapeake, Portsmouth, Suffolk and the Peninsula, through Tuesday. They extend through late Tuesday night for parts of the Middle Peninsula and Northern Neck, including Gloucester, Mathews, York and surrounding counties.
A Flood Watch is also in effect due to the anticipated heavy rain today.
A Wind Advisory has been issued for coastal areas as wind gusts near the shores could exceed 40 mph today.