Come Home to Norfolk

Ladies and Gentlemen,
While we are fortunate Hurricane Jose continues heading away from our coast, the storm’s impacts have certainly been felt here.  Along with some elevated winds, we experienced tidal flooding during this morning’s high tide and will again during tonight’s high tide which is scheduled to peak at 5.2’ (similar to this morning’s flooding) around 9-10pm (see attached tide graphic).  

Meanwhile, we also have our sights on Hurricane Maria using the storm-specific page developed by the National Weather Service in Wakefield.  Currently, the models are somewhat promising, suggesting movement to remain out in the Atlantic.  Keep in mind, however, it is still too early to tell.  It’s also a great learning opportunity…
As Maria heads toward battered Puerto Rico, this is an opportunity to revise how you look at the cone of uncertainty.  Again, the black dots in the 3- and 5-day forecasts are indicative of the possible direction for the eye of the storm – the possibility of remaining in that cone 2/3 of the time.  In other words, the eye of the storm could go to the left or right of the cone 1/3 of the time.  It’s also important to remember the wind speeds which expand beyond that cone.  Be sure to check out the initial wind field and wind probabilities in the Maria-specific page to get an indication of how widespan heightened winds may be – much further than the cone suggests.

At this point it’s also important to remember the confidence level beyond the 5-day forecast is minimal.  So much can happen over the next few days; it’s not until we’re within 36 hours of arrival are the forecasts more certain.  As with Jose and Irma, we continue to hope for the best while planning for the worst.  Team Norfolk Emergency Operations are going through plans and checklists in an effort to be proactive and responsive to the changing conditions rather that reactive.

Lastly, I want to sincerely thank the incredible professionals of Norfolk Public Works Waste Management and the EOC staff and volunteers who went out today and applied around 2,000 Know Your Zone stickers to garbage cans!  It proved to be a spectacular “soft opening” and we’re thankful for those who helped get the word out and for those who met the teams with smiles and an offering of ‘thanks’!  This process will continue over the next several weeks.  In the meantime, please remind your co-workers, friends and neighbors they too can find out their evacuation zones by clicking here or by calling our Norfolk Cares Call Center at 757-664-6510.   Please also encourage them to register for Norfolk Alert!

Thanks!
Jim

Jim Redick
Director, Norfolk EOC