NORFOLK, Va. – Powerful northeast winds are sweeping across Hampton Roads and coastal North Carolina this Sunday, toppling branches, roughing up coastal waters, and bringing scattered power outages from Norfolk to the Outer Banks. The National Weather Service in Wakefield has continued its Wind Advisory through late tonight for southeastern Virginia, northeastern North Carolina, and parts of Maryland’s Lower Eastern Shore.
According to the NWS Wakefield office, sustained northeast winds of 25 to 35 mph with gusts up to 50 mph will continue through this evening, with the strongest gusts along the coast and the Chesapeake Bay. The advisory covers Norfolk, Chesapeake, Hampton, Poquoson, Gloucester, and Mathews in Virginia; Camden, Pasquotank, and Currituck Counties in North Carolina; and inland Worcester County, Maryland.
Forecasters warn that unsecured outdoor items may be blown about and that falling branches could cause isolated power outages. Dominion Energy reported scattered disruptions early Sunday morning as gusts intensified. Travel across bridges and along open stretches of I-64, Route 17, and the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel may be difficult for high-profile vehicles.
Emergency officials urge residents to secure outdoor decorations and trash bins and to stay away from downed power lines. Mariners should remain in port, as gale-force gusts and rough seas are expected to persist through early Monday.
Winds will gradually ease overnight, with calmer, cooler weather expected Monday afternoon under clearing skies.
