Weather
Hurricane Dorian Hampton Roads: Floods, Wind Hammer Region
Residents of the Hampton Roads are taking cover Friday as Hurricane Dorian moves up the East Coast.
VIRGINIA BEACH, VA — Hurricane Dorian is roaring up the East Coast and was lashing the coast of Virginia area as of Friday afternoon. The Category 1 storm still packs a ferocious punch, with a strong storm surge and heavy winds threatening coastal areas.
The hurricane made landfall in North Carolina earlier with maximum sustained winds of 90 mph and threatening to bring up to seven feet of water to the land, according to the National Weather Service. The maximum sustained winds have dropped slightly, but residents are still in danger.
The good news is that Dorian will not make a direct impact on Southeast Virginia, instead only grazing the area before moving permanently out to sea.
Find out what's happening in Arlingtonfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Rain and wind on the western periphery of #Dorian from Lewes Del to Va Beach (under a flood warning) to NC Outer Banks... but only a few hours more. It’s pulling away. Go go go!!! pic.twitter.com/FORWaqNWwt
— Capital Weather Gang (@capitalweather) September 6, 2019
Meanwhile, locals are seeing some extreme impact, even though it's just a glancing blow from a weakened Dorian. Its effects were felt well beyond the beach, with the storm knocking over a large tree onto a house in Norfolk.
Just how strong is #HurricaneDorian even though it’s not directly above Norfolk? Strong enough to bring a tree down onto this house. https://t.co/sV0EXxGLuw pic.twitter.com/WSUaAPvpKC
— Julio Avila (@JulioAvilaTV) September 6, 2019
Large waves could be seen slamming into the pier at Virginia Beach.
Find out what's happening in Arlingtonfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Waves from Hurricane #Dorian are crashing into the #VirginiaBeach fishing pier.
The waves almost touch the bottom of the pier.@WAVY_News pic.twitter.com/KetZy95bSB
— Kiahnna Patterson (@KPattersonWAVY) September 6, 2019
And the floodwaters quickly rose, prompting plenty of concerns about damage to houses in the area.
The flooding is beginning in Norfolk. This is 16th Bay Street. #13NewsNow #13stormmode @13NewsNow pic.twitter.com/hPULpnoNLE
— Matt Gregory (@MattGregoryNews) September 6, 2019
In an alarming twist, people appear to be driving their cars on the Boardwalk.
SPREAD THE WORD: VBPD is reporting that people are driving their cars on the Boardwalk.
Be advised, this is both dangerous and ILLEGAL. Police officers are issuing tickets. Please avoid being out in the storm if at all possible. #DorianVB pic.twitter.com/wYfu7yjWfv
— Virginia Beach (@CityofVaBeach) September 6, 2019
Locals tweeted their own view of the incoming storm, showing rough waters and windy conditions.
Current view of #Dorian from my house. #Norfolk #VirginiaBeach #LittleCreekChannel pic.twitter.com/dnijIMEvWp
— Stephanie Fortson (@stephfortson) September 6, 2019
Additional reporting by Geoff Dempsey/Patch
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