NORFOLK, Va. – Roads across Hampton Roads and the Eastern Shore could be underwater Thursday and Friday as a powerful coastal system pushes tides two to three feet higher than normal, threatening homes, businesses, and infrastructure along Virginia and Maryland’s shorelines.
According to the National Weather Service in Wakefield, a Coastal Flood Warning is in effect from 6 a.m. Thursday through Friday afternoon for Norfolk, Portsmouth, Chesapeake, Suffolk, Virginia Beach, Newport News, Hampton, and surrounding counties. Inundation of one to three feet is expected in low-lying areas, with Sewells Point and the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel projected to reach moderate to major flood levels Thursday night.
In Virginia Beach and Currituck County, N.C., waves of 10 to 14 feet are forecast in the surf zone, creating life-threatening rip currents and significant beach erosion. The Eastern Shore, including Chincoteague, Wachapreague, and Tangier Island, faces moderate to major coastal flooding Thursday night into Friday. Ocean City, Maryland, is also under a warning, with one to two feet of inundation possible and high surf up to 12 feet.
Officials warn drivers not to attempt to cross flooded roads and urge residents in flood-prone areas to secure property. Beachgoers should remain out of the water, as dangerous shore break and rip currents will persist through Friday evening.
Flood warnings remain in effect through Friday, with conditions expected to gradually improve by the weekend.
