Tragedy Unfolding!
November 12th, 2009 at 9:49 pm by Jeremy Wheeler under Weather
We just got the official reports in from the National Weather Service. Here are the wind gusts from earlier this evening: Norfolk International: 74mph at 6:11pm, Wallops Island 59mph at 7:58pm, Oceana Naval Air Station 75mph, Elizabeth City 54mph at 2:04pm. Some of these wind gusts are hurricane strength, even though this was not a hurricane.
Rain totals from NWS: Newport News airport 8.99″, Norfolk International 6.06″, Langley Air Force Base 9.07″, and NAS Oceana had 7.82″.
The sheriff’s office was evacuating some residents in the Gloucester Point area this evening. I got a call from a viewer that said that a lot of people had 3-4 feet of water in their home in the Guinea Neck section of Gloucester County. We have about 160,000 people without power in southeast Virginia. I’ve seen probably 20-30 instances of cars flooded. I’m sure there were 10 times that, but I have no proof. We are getting reports from just about everywhere of tidal flooding being on the the same level (roughly) as Isabel. Some residents had a little more, some a little less this evening. You have to remember that the rain around the region was a lot, but varied from place to place. This rain is significant when you add it to the tidal flooding. Also, different folks may have leaves or other debris clogging their storm drains. The winds are finally beginning to taper off tonight as of 9:30pm. The winds won’t die off completely overnight. They’ll stay up through the day tomorrow too, but will be more in the 15-20mph range with gusts to 25 maybe 35mph.
The next high tide between 5-7am is expected to be close to the one this evening. If these cursed winds can stay down where they are now, then the tide will be a little less than this evening. Maybe by about 5inches. If the winds pick up again, then they will be close to the evening’s levels. I doubt we’ll see another wind event like we saw earlier this evening. That was a brief, forceful core of winds that moved across the area. When people wake up and begin to go out tomorrow, I think we’ll see a lot more damage than we have already seen. Jon Cash was definitely right in calling this a historic event. We’ll see how much so after the dust settles.
Meteorologist: Jeremy Wheeler
WAVY/Fox 43 Meteorologist
Can anyone tell me how Rudee Inlet is fairing?
Just wanted to let you all know that here in Bow Creek I have about 4 inches of water in my garage and the “pond” on Bow Creek Golf course is at my back door. I believe this flooding is worse than we had with Isabel. The worst thing is these people in these lifted trucks that think speeding down flooded streets is a thrill need to be on the receiving end of the wakes they are causing and the damage to homes. I love to do things like that too but not in a residential area. Thank you for your continued coverage of this storm!
Thank you for the update. Here in Poquoson flood levels very close to Isabelle. We did notice the winds picked up approx. 6 pm.Hope tides go down alot tomm.
I can’t believe that CNU has only a 2 hour delay. I commute from NC up to Newport News for classes and I know I won’t be able to make it tomorrow. I’m not even sure I’d be able to make it to the highway with how badly the roads are flooded. And even though the radar isn’t showing rain over Moyock, it’s still raining here.
Barbara, I’m with you about the people driving around…i have a couple inches in my garage also (I live in Windsor Woods)and am just praying it doesn’t come into the main part of my house,but it’s at the front door. And everytime someone drives by it just pushes it further in…..STAY HOME PEOPLE!
The Magic Hollow area is basically the same as Bow Creek. Also I heard that Rudee inlet was having power problems.
Jeremy, calling it a tragedy is a bit over the top. You could get away with ‘widespread destruction!’ or ‘historic catastrophe!’ or something like that. But tragedy involves the tragic loss of lives.
Well at first I thought it was going to be a little rain,To my surprise it is just as bad a Isabel. I got to give it to the utility companys! Except the stormwater folks
they take our money for what I wonder? My uncle and I did manage to rescue a 80 year old lady out of 3 1/2 foot of water she just drove right in. Just as soon as i got her out another lady drove in the same spot on Norveiw close to Tidewater dr.She was confused,but all the neighbors came out to lend a hand.
Im sitting here at work on Fort Eustis on Boat watch! We have had the highest tides I have ever seen. Making water flood the parking lot of port! Wind gust up to 68 mph. It seems as tho this is a hurican! I really would hate to see when that day comes to this area! Stay Dry Hampton roads! And keep your monster truck at home! I had to ride my vespa in to work today due to the growing gas prices all the way from williamsburg and this guy in a big truck passed me. Nearly slideing me of the road with something that represented a hawaii wave! Good luck to all!
Naval Station Norfolk saw a tremendous amount of flooding. Most every command and service including gas stations and restaurants had closed by 3:30 Thursday. Some roads were impassable, and the marina had risen to street level and was breaking over the break wall causing roads to be impassable. Wind gusts were at around 70 MPH at Naval Station Norfolk. Hampton Boulevard at Gate 5 had approximately 2-3 feet of water, making it difficult to enter Gate 5. Skeleton crews were abound. Naval Station Police and Fire/Rescue were kept very busy Thursday and into the night.
I’m hoping your garage is low enough to have had your main living area spared! And as for the “thrill seekers” with seemingly nothing better to do than show off with what their trucks can do, if they’re too behind on the Darwin schedule, they’re more than they’re likely not bright enough to figure out the cause and effect of the ‘ripple effect’.
Ocean front wind gusts of 70mph last night, I thought it was coming to an end and then here it came again, crazy. Ocean is breaking at the boardwalk this morning. Long night…..
I live in the Bow Creek area and my entire house was flooded with about 4-5 inches in every room. This is the second time my house has flooded during a local storm- the last one being during Ernesto in 2006. I am frustrated and deflated by the idea of losing many of the things I own for a second time. The “lake” on Stoneshore Dr has cut off all routes out of my neigborhood and while I was able to get my car high enough to save it, I was not able to keep the flood waters at bay enough to save my home. God bless all who have weathered this storm and may you find dry ground today! I myself will be hiking out of my cul de sac on foot today-
You people got me to work this morning as I live in Williamsburg and work in Hampton. Thanks for the awesome job of reporting on this storm.
Tom
Does anybody know how the area is around ODU? Coming from Portsmouth or from Greenbrier area? What roads are closed, etc
Whew! when will it end? I’m especially sorry for the two families forced to evacuate in Huntersville. Can the RedCross help them?
This is why you need flood insurance.
I was almost involved in a car accident tonight due to the loss of power. The traffic light was out at Princess Anne Rd, Kempsville and Witchduck. I called the police department to alert them and ask them if they could send an officer to direct traffic. They said they were working on the situation. I am thanking God that I was spared.