Tropical Storm Michael: VA Wind Advisory, State Of Emergency

WASHINGTON, DC — With Tropical Storm Michael expected to bring heavy rains to Virginia as it moves into the Commonwealth Thursday night, Gov. Ralph Northam has declared a state of emergency to prepare for possible flooding, along with damage from strong winds and possible tornadoes. The National Weather Service has issued a flash flood watch for parts of northern Virginia Thursday afternoon as the storm approaches; it was in central North Carolina about 25 miles south of Greensboro by mid-afternoon.

The National Weather Service in Baltimore MD/Washington has issued a wind advisory for the District of Columbia, much of northern Virginia, and northern and central Maryland for Thursday evening. The advisory is in effect from 10 p.m. to noon Friday. The strongest winds will be late this evening and overnight. Northwest winds from 25 to 35 mph with gusts up to 55 mph are possible, the NWS says.

Strong winds may blow down limbs, trees, and power lines. Scattered power outages are expected. A wind advisory means that winds of 45 to 55 mph are expected. Winds this strong can make driving difficult, especially for high profile vehicles, forecasters said.

Southeast Virginia is under a high wind warning until 8 a.m. Friday, with winds of 25 to 35 mph this evening, becoming north to northwest at 30 to 40 mph later tonight into early Friday morning. Wind gusts of 55 to 60 mph are possible. The wind combined with heavy rain will cause downed trees and scattered power outages. Minor structural damage is possible, the weather service says. Sustained wind speeds of at least 40 mph or gusts of 58 mph or more can lead to property damage.

The flash flood watch in Virginia calls for rain to be heaviest Thursday afternoon through Thursday night. Officials say about 1 to 3 inches of rain are expected. Four to six inches of rainfall may occur in parts of the Baltimore-Washington, D.C., region Thursday afternoon or evening.

After laying waste to Florida — and leaving hundreds of thousands of residents in the dark — the system carved a path of destruction across central and southern Georgia, where hundreds of thousands more also lost power. At least two people were killed — one in each state — including an 11-year-old girl who died when debris fell onto her family's trailer.

Northam ordered the state of emergency to mobilize resources, help Virginia mitigate any damage, and to streamline the process that the Commonwealth uses to help other states through the Emergency Management Assistance Compact, according to a press release. State agencies are working closely with localities to identify any needs and to provide resources.

“As Tropical Storm Michael turns to the Commonwealth, I want to urge all Virginians to prepare for the serious possibility of flash floods, tropical storm force winds, tornadoes, and power outages,” Northam said in his emergency declaration. “My thoughts are with all those along with the Gulf Coast and my administration will continue our outreach to governors and state agencies where Hurricane Michael has produced widespread damage."

As of 11 a.m. on Thursday, Tropical Storm Michael was 35 miles south-southeast of Charlotte, North Carolina, according to the National Hurricane Center. Michael is believed to be responsible for at least two deaths – one in Florida and one in Georgia.

"On the forecast track, the center of Michael will continue to move across central and eastern North Carolina today, move across southeastern Virginia this evening, and move into the western Atlantic Ocean tonight," National Weather Service forecasters said Thursday.

The storm was packing 50-mph winds and tracking northeast Thursday morning, according to the National Hurricane Center.

• Hurricane Michael Hits Georgia: Child Killed; 320K Without Power
• Weakened Michael Leaves Trail Of Destruction; To Wallop Carolinas

Moisture from the storm will interact with a cold front moving through Virginia Thursday night, leading to heavy rain later this afternoon through this tonight. Rainfall amounts around 1 to 3 inches are expected with localized amounts of up to 4 inches possible in heavier showers and isolated thunderstorms. Heavy amounts of rain in short periods of time may cause creeks and streams to quickly rise out of their banks as well as the potential for flash flooding in urban areas.

The flood watch in Virginia is in effect from 2 p.m. Thursday to 6 a.m. Friday for these areas: Nelson, Albemarle, Orange, Stafford, Spotsylvania, King George, Central Virginia Blue Ridge, Prince Frederick, Aberdeen, Lovingston, Charlottesville, Orange, Gordonsville, Falmouth, Fredericksburg, Dahlgren, and Wintergreen.

A flash flood watch continues for Albemarle, Central Virginia Blue Ridge, King George, Nelson, Orange, Spotsylvania, and Stafford, the weather service says.

Elsewhere in the state, weather officials say 1 inch of rain is possible.

Virginians should visit www.VAemergency.gov to learn about how to prepare for hurricanes, tornadoes and flood threats. Remember to “turn around and don’t drown.” Do not drive across any flooded roadway, as it only takes six inches of water to move a vehicle and roads may be washed out beneath the floodwaters.

Visit www.511Virginia.org or call 511 for real-time road conditions.

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See a map of weather warnings National Weather Service.

Image via National Weather Prediction Center