Slow-moving thunderstorms caused areas of flash flooding across parts of the Southside this afternoon and this evening.  Rainfall rates in these storms were 1-5″ per hour.  This amount of rain in a short period of time caused the Eastbound lanes of the Downtown Tunnel along I-264 to close.  We received many reports of “floating cars” in Portsmouth, Norfolk, and Virginia Beach.  A weather watcher in Edenton, NC reported 4.75″ of rain in just 1 hour!  More rain is in the forecast for tonight, so flash flooding is still possible in areas that receive heavy rain. 

Please don’t drive your vehicle through water of unknown depth.  6-12″ of water is enough to float some vehicles.  Flooding can also cause your vehicle  to stall out which can obviously damage your vehicle if you try to re-start it while in water.  Be safe!

Many weather photos were sent to the Super Doppler 10 Weather Center today.  Thank you!  We appreciate it.  Here is a sample:

From Melissa in Norfolk

Norfolk State University

Downtown Norfolk

From Lisa on Washington St in Portsmouth

Meteorologist Cheryl Nelson

After thunderstorms pounded the Eastern Shore, Middle Peninsula and Peninsula last night, we got more storms today!  This time parts of the Southside and Northeast North Carolina got in on some of the action.  Unfortunately there were more damage reports today.  I’m sad to report that one person was struck and killed by lightning in Southern Shores, North Carolina.  Please remember if you hear thunder, you are close enough to be struck by lightning.  If you hear thunder, get indoors immediately if possible.  Flash flooding was also reported in many areas to include the Outer Banks and Wallops Island/Chincoteague. 

Here are some pictures that we received from viewers today.

Flooding in Duck, NC from Gary

By looking at the photo I can’t tell how deep the water was on the road, but for safety reasons, please remember not to drive through water of unknown depth.

Flooding in Chincoteague from Kirra

Over 4 inches of rain was reported in the Chincoteague/Wallops Island area just from today!

Trees down in Wallops Island

From Andrea in Williamsburg

The wind gusted in excess of 60 mph in severe thunderstorms which was strong enough to take down a few trees.  Trees were also reported down in Windsor, (Isle of Wight County)VA and Hobbsville (Perquimans County, NC).

Please stay safe.  If you know of damage that I didn’t mention, please let us know by posting a response to this blog.  On many occasions, we do not know the extent of storm damage until we hear from you.  Thank you!

Meteorologist Cheryl Nelson

A sea breeze boundary pushed well inland Saturday afternoon and many of us saw thunderstorms.  These storms were slow-moving and had a lot of moisture to work with.  As a result: flash flooding.  Our weather watcher Ed in Williamsburg picked up 1.20″ inches of rain in just 37 minutes!

Thank you for sending in your photos to photos@wavy.com. 

We’ll post some more pictures on Sunday.  Try to stay cool tonight.  Watch out for areas of dense fog.

Meteorologist Cheryl Nelson