Tropical Storm Warning

...TROPICAL STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT... * LOCATIONS AFFECTED - Emporia * WIND - LATEST LOCAL FORECAST: Equivalent Tropical Storm force wind - Peak Wind Forecast: 35-45 mph with gusts to 60 mph - Window for Tropical Storm force winds: early Tuesday morning until Tuesday afternoon - THREAT TO LIFE AND PROPERTY THAT INCLUDES TYPICAL FORECAST UNCERTAINTY IN TRACK, SIZE AND INTENSITY: Potential for wind 58 to 73 mph - The wind threat has increased from the previous assessment. - PLAN: Plan for dangerous wind of equivalent strong tropical storm force. - PREPARE: Remaining efforts to protect life and property should be completed as soon as possible. Prepare for significant wind damage. - ACT: Move to safe shelter before the wind becomes hazardous. - POTENTIAL IMPACTS: Significant - Some damage to roofing and siding, along with damage to porches, awnings, carports, and sheds. Some buildings experience window, door, and garage door failures. Mobile homes damaged, some destroyed, especially if poorly anchored or exposed to wind. Unsecured lightweight objects become dangerous projectiles. - Large trees snapped or uprooted, especially in areas where soils are saturated. Some roadway signs will be blown over. - Some roads will be impassable from large debris including bridges, causeways, and access routes. - Scattered to widespread power and communications outages. * FLOODING RAIN - LATEST LOCAL FORECAST: Flash Flood Watch is in effect - Peak Rainfall Amounts: 3-6 inches, with locally higher amounts - THREAT TO LIFE AND PROPERTY THAT INCLUDES TYPICAL FORECAST UNCERTAINTY IN TRACK, SIZE AND INTENSITY: Potential for major flooding rain - The flooding rain threat has increased from the previous assessment. - PLAN: Emergency plans should include the potential for major flooding from heavy rain. Evacuations and rescues are likely. - PREPARE: Strongly consider protective actions, especially if you are in an area vulnerable to flooding. - ACT: Heed any flood watches and warnings. Failure to take action will likely result in serious injury or loss of life. - POTENTIAL IMPACTS: Extensive - Evacuations and rescues likely due to flooding from heavy rainfall - Rivers and tributaries may rapidly overflow their banks in multiple places. Small streams, creeks, and ditches may become dangerous rivers. Flood control systems and barriers may become overwhelmed. - Flood waters enter structures within multiple communities, with some structures becoming uninhabitable or washed away. Some escape routes inundated by flood waters. Streets, parking lots and underpasses could be submerged, with driving conditions quickly becoming dangerous. Numerous road and bridge closures are expected with some becoming weakened or washed out. * TORNADO - LATEST LOCAL FORECAST: - Situation is somewhat favorable for tornadoes - THREAT TO LIFE AND PROPERTY THAT INCLUDES TYPICAL FORECAST UNCERTAINTY IN TRACK, SIZE AND INTENSITY: Potential for a few tornadoes - The tornado threat has remained nearly steady from the previous assessment. - PLAN: Emergency plans should include the potential for a few tornadoes. - PREPARE: If your shelter is particularly vulnerable to tornadoes, prepare to relocate to safe shelter before hazardous weather arrives. - ACT: If a tornado warning is issued, be ready to shelter quickly. - POTENTIAL IMPACTS: Limited - A few tornadoes are expected. As a result, execution of emergency plans could be hindered in affected areas. - A few places may experience tornado damage, along with power and communications disruptions. - Roofs peeled off some buildings. A few chimneys toppled and mobile homes pushed off foundations or overturned. Large tree tops and branches snapped off, with some trees knocked over. A few vehicles blown off roads. * FOR MORE INFORMATION: - http://ready.gov/hurricanes - www.readyvirginia.gov - weather.gov/akq Read more

Tropical Storm Warning

...TROPICAL STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT... * LOCATIONS AFFECTED - Sussex - Waverly - Wakefield * WIND - LATEST LOCAL FORECAST: Equivalent Tropical Storm force wind - Peak Wind Forecast: 35-45 mph with gusts to 60 mph - Window for Tropical Storm force winds: early Tuesday morning until Tuesday afternoon - THREAT TO LIFE AND PROPERTY THAT INCLUDES TYPICAL FORECAST UNCERTAINTY IN TRACK, SIZE AND INTENSITY: Potential for wind 58 to 73 mph - The wind threat has remained nearly steady from the previous assessment. - PLAN: Plan for dangerous wind of equivalent strong tropical storm force. - PREPARE: Remaining efforts to protect life and property should be completed as soon as possible. Prepare for significant wind damage. - ACT: Move to safe shelter before the wind becomes hazardous. - POTENTIAL IMPACTS: Significant - Some damage to roofing and siding, along with damage to porches, awnings, carports, and sheds. Some buildings experience window, door, and garage door failures. Mobile homes damaged, some destroyed, especially if poorly anchored or exposed to wind. Unsecured lightweight objects become dangerous projectiles. - Large trees snapped or uprooted, especially in areas where soils are saturated. Some roadway signs will be blown over. - Some roads will be impassable from large debris including bridges, causeways, and access routes. - Scattered to widespread power and communications outages. * FLOODING RAIN - LATEST LOCAL FORECAST: Flash Flood Watch is in effect - Peak Rainfall Amounts: 3-6 inches, with locally higher amounts - THREAT TO LIFE AND PROPERTY THAT INCLUDES TYPICAL FORECAST UNCERTAINTY IN TRACK, SIZE AND INTENSITY: Potential for major flooding rain - The flooding rain threat has increased from the previous assessment. - PLAN: Emergency plans should include the potential for major flooding from heavy rain. Evacuations and rescues are likely. - PREPARE: Strongly consider protective actions, especially if you are in an area vulnerable to flooding. - ACT: Heed any flood watches and warnings. Failure to take action will likely result in serious injury or loss of life. - POTENTIAL IMPACTS: Extensive - Evacuations and rescues likely due to flooding from heavy rainfall - Rivers and tributaries may rapidly overflow their banks in multiple places. Small streams, creeks, and ditches may become dangerous rivers. Flood control systems and barriers may become overwhelmed. - Flood waters enter structures within multiple communities, with some structures becoming uninhabitable or washed away. Some escape routes inundated by flood waters. Streets, parking lots and underpasses could be submerged, with driving conditions quickly becoming dangerous. Numerous road and bridge closures are expected with some becoming weakened or washed out. * TORNADO - LATEST LOCAL FORECAST: - Situation is somewhat favorable for tornadoes - THREAT TO LIFE AND PROPERTY THAT INCLUDES TYPICAL FORECAST UNCERTAINTY IN TRACK, SIZE AND INTENSITY: Potential for a few tornadoes - The tornado threat has remained nearly steady from the previous assessment. - PLAN: Emergency plans should include the potential for a few tornadoes. - PREPARE: If your shelter is particularly vulnerable to tornadoes, prepare to relocate to safe shelter before hazardous weather arrives. - ACT: If a tornado warning is issued, be ready to shelter quickly. - POTENTIAL IMPACTS: Limited - A few tornadoes are expected. As a result, execution of emergency plans could be hindered in affected areas. - A few places may experience tornado damage, along with power and communications disruptions. - Roofs peeled off some buildings. A few chimneys toppled and mobile homes pushed off foundations or overturned. Large tree tops and branches snapped off, with some trees knocked over. A few vehicles blown off roads. * FOR MORE INFORMATION: - http://ready.gov/hurricanes - www.readyvirginia.gov - weather.gov/akq Read more

Hurricane Local Statement

This product covers CENTRAL AND EASTERN VIRGINIA...NORTHEAST NORTH CAROLINA...AND THE LOWER MARYLAND EASTERN SHORE **Tropical Storm Isaias expected to impact the Middle Atlantic region late Monday Night into Tuesday** NEW INFORMATION --------------- * CHANGES TO WATCHES AND WARNINGS: - None * CURRENT WATCHES AND WARNINGS: - A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for Accomack, Bertie, Brunswick, Camden, Caroline, Charles City, Chesapeake, Chowan, Dinwiddie, Dorchester, Eastern Chesterfield (Including Col. Heights), Eastern Currituck, Eastern Essex, Eastern Hanover, Eastern Henrico, Eastern King William, Eastern King and Queen, Gates, Gloucester, Greensville, Hampton/Poquoson, Hertford, Inland Worcester, Isle of Wight, James City, Lancaster, Maryland Beaches, Mathews, Middlesex, New Kent, Newport News, Norfolk/Portsmouth, Northampton, Northampton, Northumberland, Pasquotank, Perquimans, Prince George, Richmond, Somerset, Southampton, Suffolk, Surry, Sussex, Virginia Beach, Western Chesterfield, Western Currituck, Western Essex, Western Hanover, Western Henrico (Including the City of Richmond), Western King William, Western King and Queen, Westmoreland, Wicomico, and York * STORM INFORMATION: - About 660 miles south-southwest of Ocean City MD or about 540 miles south-southwest of Norfolk VA - 29.7N 79.9W - Storm Intensity 70 mph - Movement North or 355 degrees at 9 mph SITUATION OVERVIEW ------------------ Tropical Storm Isaias is forecast to move northward near or along the Southeast coast today then move inland over the South Carolina or North Carolina coast this evening. The storm is then expected to be over eastern Virginia and the Delmarva on Tuesday. Isaias will then move northeast across New England Wednesday. On the current forecast track, expect conditions to deteriorate across the local area late Monday night into Tuesday morning. Tropical storm force winds are possible late Monday night into Tuesday, especially along and east of I-95. Wind gusts to 50 to 60 mph are possible. These winds combined with the expected saturated soils could cause down trees and power lines. In addition, heavy rainfall amounts of 3 to 6 inches could cause areas of flash flooding even well inland. Moderate coastal flooding is also possible, with 1 to 3 feet of inundation. Lastly, there is a marginal risk of tornadoes late Monday night into Tuesday, mainly along the coastal plain and eastern shore. Tropical storm force winds are expected over the entire marine area late Monday night into Tuesday with gusts as high as 60 knots. In addition, seas will build to 10 to 14 feet over the coastal waters by Tuesday morning. POTENTIAL IMPACTS ----------------- * WIND: Protect against dangerous wind having possible significant impacts across far eastern Virginia, the Maryland Eastern Shore and northeast North Carolina. Potential impacts in this area include: - Some damage to roofing and siding, along with damage to porches, awnings, carports, and sheds. Some buildings experience window, door, and garage door failures. Mobile homes damaged, some destroyed, especially if poorly anchored or exposed to wind. Unsecured lightweight objects become dangerous projectiles. - Large trees snapped or uprooted, especially in areas where soils are saturated. Some roadway signs will be blown over. - Some roads will be impassable from large debris including bridges, causeways, and access routes. - Scattered to widespread power and communications outages. Also, protect against hazardous wind having possible limited impacts across far eastern Virginia, the Maryland Eastern Shore and northeast North Carolina. * SURGE: Protect against locally hazardous surge having possible limited impacts across far eastern Virginia, the Maryland Eastern Shore and northeast North Carolina. Potential impacts in this area include: - Widespread storm surge flooding of vulnerable areas will result in an elevated threat of property damage to homes and businesses near the waterfront and shoreline. - Sections of low-lying vulnerable roads, parking lots and property will likely become flooded. Driving conditions could become dangerous in places where flooding covers the road. - Moderate to severe beach erosion is likely, including heavy surf possibly breaching dunes, especially in vulnerable locations. Strong and dangerous rip currents are likely. - Minor to moderate damage to marinas, docks, boardwalks, and piers is likely. A few small craft broken away from moorings. Elsewhere across CENTRAL AND EASTERN VIRGINIA...NORTHEAST NORTH CAROLINA...AND THE LOWER MARYLAND EASTERN SHORE, little to no impact is anticipated. * FLOODING RAIN: Protect against life-threatening rainfall flooding having possible extensive impacts across central and eastern Virginia, the Maryland Eastern Shore and northeast North Carolina. Potential impacts include: - Evacuations and rescues likely due to flooding from heavy rainfall - Rivers and tributaries may rapidly overflow their banks in multiple places. Small streams, creeks, and ditches may become dangerous rivers. Flood control systems and barriers may become overwhelmed. - Flood waters enter structures within multiple communities, with some structures becoming uninhabitable or washed away. Some escape routes inundated by flood waters. Streets, parking lots and underpasses could be submerged, with driving conditions quickly becoming dangerous. Numerous road and bridge closures are expected with some becoming weakened or washed out. Protect against dangerous rainfall flooding having possible significant impacts across far eastern Virginia, the Maryland Eastern Shore and northeast North Carolina. * TORNADOES: Protect against a dangerous tornado event having possible significant impacts across far eastern Virginia, the Maryland Eastern Shore and northeast North Carolina. Potential impacts include: - Some tornadoes are expected, some of which could be intense. As a result, execution of emergency plans could be hindered in affected areas. - Several places may experience tornado damage, with a few areas of considerable damage, power loss, and communications failures. - Locations could realize roofs torn off frame houses, mobile homes demolished, large trees snapped or uprooted, vehicles tumbled, and small boats tossed about. Protect against a tornado event having possible limited impacts across far eastern Virginia, the Maryland Eastern Shore and northeast North Carolina. Elsewhere across CENTRAL AND EASTERN VIRGINIA...NORTHEAST NORTH CAROLINA...AND THE LOWER MARYLAND EASTERN SHORE, little to no impact is anticipated. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS ---------------------------------- * OTHER PREPAREDNESS INFORMATION: Now is the time to complete all preparations to protect life and property in accordance with your emergency plan. Ensure you are in a safe location before the onset of strong winds or possible flooding. If you are relocating to safe shelter, leave as early as possible. Allow extra time to reach your destination. Many roads and bridges will be closed once strong winds arrive. Check the latest weather forecast before departing and drive with caution. If heading to a community shelter, become familiar with the shelter rules before arrival, especially if you have special needs or have pets. Take essential items with you from your Emergency Supplies Kit. Failure to adequately shelter may result in serious injury or loss of life. Always heed the advice of local officials and comply with any orders that are issued. Remember, during the storm 9 1 1 Emergency Services may not be able to immediately respond if conditions are unsafe. This should be a big factor in your decision making. Keep cell phones well charged. Cell phone chargers for automobiles can be helpful, but be aware of your risk for deadly carbon monoxide poisoning if your car is left idling in a garage or other poorly ventilated area. It is important to remain calm, informed, and focused during an emergency. Be patient and helpful with those you encounter. If you are a visitor, be sure to know the name of the city or town in which you are staying and the name of the county or parish in which it resides. Listen for these locations in local news updates. Pay attention for instructions from local authorities. Storm surge is the leading killer associated with tropical storms and hurricanes! Make sure you are in a safe area away from the surge zone. Even if you are not in a surge-prone area, you could find yourself cutoff by flood waters during and after the storm. Heed evacuation orders issued by the local authorities. Rapidly rising flood waters are deadly. If you are in a flood-prone area, consider moving to higher ground. Never drive through a flooded roadway. Remember, turn around don`t drown! If a Tornado Warning is issued for your area, be ready to shelter quickly, preferably away from windows and in an interior room not prone to flooding. If driving, scan the roadside for quick shelter options. If in a place that is vulnerable to high wind, such as near large trees, a manufactured home, upper floors of a high-rise building, or on a boat, consider moving to a safer shelter before the onset of strong winds or flooding. Closely monitor weather.gov, NOAA Weather radio or local news outlets for official storm information. Be ready to adapt to possible changes to the forecast. Ensure you have multiple ways to receive weather warnings. * ADDITIONAL SOURCES OF INFORMATION: - For information on appropriate preparations see www.readyvirginia.gov, readync.org or mema.maryland.gov - For the latest weather and storm information go to weather.gov/wakefield NEXT UPDATE ----------- The next local statement will be issued by the National Weather Service in Wakefield VA around 12 PM EDT, or sooner if conditions warrant. Read more

Flash Flood Watch

...FLASH FLOOD WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM THIS EVENING THROUGH TUESDAY EVENING... The Flash Flood Watch continues for * Portions of southeast Maryland...northeast North Carolina and Virginia, including the following areas, in southeast Maryland, Dorchester, Somerset and Wicomico. In northeast North Carolina, Bertie, Gates, Hertford and Northampton. In Virginia, Amelia, Brunswick, Caroline, Charles City, Cumberland, Dinwiddie, Eastern Chesterfield (Including Col. Heights), Eastern Essex, Eastern Hanover, Eastern Henrico, Eastern King William, Eastern King and Queen, Eastern Louisa, Fluvanna, Gloucester, Goochland, Greensville, Isle of Wight, James City, Lancaster, Lunenburg, Mathews, Mecklenburg, Middlesex, New Kent, Newport News, Northumberland, Nottoway, Powhatan, Prince Edward, Prince George, Richmond, Southampton, Suffolk, Surry, Sussex, Western Chesterfield, Western Essex, Western Hanover, Western Henrico (Including the City of Richmond), Western King William, Western King and Queen, Western Louisa, Westmoreland and York. * From this evening through Tuesday evening * Heavy rainfall is expected late tonight into Tuesday afternoon as Tropical Cyclone Isaias tracks through the Mid-Atlantic region. Storm total rainfall amounts are expected to range from 3 to 6 inches with locally higher amounts. This will bring the potential for flash flooding. * Rapid rises on rivers and creeks are possible, along with flooding in low lying and poor drainage areas. Read more