VA Governor Declares State Of Emergency For Hurricane Isaias

VIRGINIA — A hurricane watch was upgraded to a hurricane warning Friday afternoon for parts of Florida as Hurricane Isaias churned closer to the Sunshine State and threatened the entire East Coast of the United States. The category one storm is expected to make its way up the coast to North Carolina and southeastern Virginia early next week, potentially causing some flooding, according to the National Weather Service.

The route of the hurricane is still yet to be determined, but most models predict it will move up the coastline, dropping rain and creating a risk of flash flooding for residents along the coast. Category one storms have winds between 74 and 95 miles per hour and are known to cause some damage.

On Friday, Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam declared a state of emergency in advance of Hurricane Isaias, which is expected to affect parts of coastal Virginia.

“Hurricane Isaias is a serious storm, and current predictions indicate that it may impact parts of Virginia as early as this weekend,” Northam said in a statement. “This state of emergency will ensure localities and communities have the assistance they need to protect the safety of Virginians, particularly as we continue to deal with the COVID-19 crisis."

The state of emergency allows Virginia to mobilize resources and equipment needed for response and recovery efforts. While the track of Hurricane Isaias is still uncertain, it appears increasingly likely that Virginia could see impacts from the storm. The state "must prepare for the possibility of flooding, high winds, and potential storm surge that could come along with a tropical storm or hurricane," the governor's office said.

The governor encouraged residents to consult the Virginia Hurricane Evacuation Guide During the COVID-19 Pandemic, which outlines preparedness, response, and recovery actions designed to reduce the risk of transmission of the coronavirus and protect public health.

Cities in Hampton Roads are already preparing for Hurricane Isaias as the storm sweeps through the Bahamas and likely up the East Coast. Isaias is forecast to reach coastal North Carolina and the Hampton Roads area by Monday or Tuesday.

The city of Virginia Beach is monitoring Isaias, which could bring heavy rain, rough surf, possible tidal flooding and hurricane force winds to the city, especially along the Chesapeake Bay and throughout Southside Hampton Roads, the city said Friday in a news release.

The city said has been working the last few months on evacuation and shelter planning in the coronavirus environment. City departments also are making storm preparations that include checking storm drains and pump stations, inspecting and securing equipment, removing banners and flags at the oceanfront, and checking chainsaws and storm-related equipment.

Virginia Beach Public Utilities is testing generators and deploying bypass pumps and portable generators to support potential power outages.

For Northern Virginia, the storm could bring some rain, but tropical storm or hurricane conditions are not expected in the region.

Isaias was packing maximum sustained winds of 75 mph as of 11 a.m. Hurricane-force winds extend outward up to 35 miles from the center of Isaias, while tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 205 miles.

"Isaias is moving toward the northwest near 16 mph ... and a general northwestward motion with some decrease in forward speed is expected for the day or so followed by a turn toward the north-northwest," the National Hurricane Center said. "On the forecast track, the center of Isaias will continue to move near or over the Southeastern Bahamas today."

Isaias is forecast to be near the Central Bahamas on Friday night and move near or over the Northwestern Bahamas on Saturday and near the east coast of the Florida peninsula Saturday afternoon through Sunday.

North Carolina may get hit hard by the storm from Monday into Tuesday. A mandatory evacuation for Ocracoke Island has been ordered beginning at 6 a.m. on Saturday.

Officials in North Carolina recommend that residents prepare a kit filled with emergency supplies in the event of an evacuation order. The kit should contain food and water, a wireless radio, a first aid kit, a flashlight, any necessary medication and personal care items.