Hurricane Dorian In Virginia: Flood Risks, Storm Surge Warnings

VIRGINIA BEACH, VA — Hurricane Dorian is battering the Carolinas on Thursday and should arrive off Virginia's coast on Friday, where weather forecasters are concerned about life-threatening flash flooding and storm surges. Residents should have their flood preparations done, officials said, as 8-10 inches of rain could fall in extreme southeast Virginia, while storm surge could inundate the Hampton Roads area.

"There will be significant flooding from storm surge across Hampton Roads and Northeast NC," the National Weather Service office in Wakefield, Virginia, wrote Thursday. "With 2-4 feet of inundation for the southern Chesapeake Bay from Yorktown south (including Norfolk), James River from Jamestown to the bay, Atlantic Ocean side for Virginia Beach and Currituck County, and north side of Albemarle Sound in NC."

Hurricane Dorian is moving north-northeast Thursday north of Charleston, South Carolina, with potential for the center to go over or near the Carolina coasts before bringing strong winds, rain and the likelihood of flooding to coastal Virginia on Friday. Storm surge and tropical storm watches have been upgraded to warnings for the Virginia coast.

Storm surges of 4 to 7 feet are predicted for Pamlico and Albemarle Sounds and the Neuse and Pamlico Rivers, while surges of 2 to 4 feet are forecast from Duck, North Carolina, to Poquoson Virginia, including Hampton Roads, the NWS says.

Water levels could begin to rise before the arrival of strong winds. The surge will be accompanied by large and destructive waves, the NHC said. Surge-related flooding depends on how close
the center of Dorian comes to the coast, and can vary greatly over short distances.

Dorian is expected to produce 3 to 8 inches of rain in far southeast Virginia.

Gov. Ralph Northam urged Virginians to take shelter as Hurricane Dorian reaches the Commonwealth. Residents in coastal areas should listen to local officials for information on potential evacuations.

“Hurricane Dorian remains a powerful storm that has already caused loss of life and serious damage in the Bahamas, Florida, and the Carolinas,” said Governor Northam. “Tropical storm force winds, storm surge, heavy rains, and flooding from this hurricane will impact much of eastern Virginia overnight and tomorrow. Now is the time for all Virginians, especially those in our coastal regions, to finalize their preparations, listen to local emergency managers, and take shelter before the storm reaches our Commonwealth.”

A Storm Surge Warning is in effect for...

* South Santee River SC to Poquoson VA
* Pamlico and Albemarle Sounds
* Neuse and Pamlico Rivers
* Hampton Roads

A Hurricane Warning is in effect for...
* Savannah River to the North Carolina/Virginia border
* Pamlico and Albemarle Sounds

A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for...
* North Carolina/Virginia border to Fenwick Island DE
* Chesapeake Bay from Drum Point southward
* Tidal Potomac south of Cobb Island

Here are things you should do before a hurricane arrives in the region.

• Complete a family communication plan. Plan how you will assemble your family and loved ones and anticipate where you will go for different situations. Get together with your family and agree on the ways to contact one another in an emergency and identify meeting locations.
• Check your insurance coverage. Most homeowner's insurance policies do not cover damage or losses from flooding. Review your policy, ensure you're adequately covered and understand exclusions, and contact your agent for any changes.
• Develop an Evacuation Plan. Find out if you live in a storm surge hurricane evacuation zone or if your home is unfit to keep you safe in a hurricane. Speak with family and friends and work out a plan to use their home as an evacuation destination. Be sure to account for pets, since many shelters do not allow them.
• Download the FEMA app. Receive weather alerts from the National Weather Service for up to five different locations anywhere in the United States. To search for open shelters (for disaster survivors): text SHELTER and a Zip Code to 43362 (4FEMA).
• Register with American Red Cross's Safe & Well site to let family and friends know you're okay.

Forecasters expect the storm to turn toward the northeast by Thursday night, and speed to the northeast on Friday. The center of Dorian will continue to move near or over the coast of North Carolina tonight and Friday and be southeast of extreme southeastern New England Friday night and Saturday morning.

Maximum sustained winds are near 110 mph with higher gusts. Slow weakening is expected during the next few days.

Residents can check their evacuation zones and evacuation routes here.

SEE ALSO:

• Hurricane Dorian In Virginia: Latest Updates
• Hurricane Dorian: Time To Prepare Virginia Homes, Families