The original item was published from March 18, 2021 11:54 AM to May 19, 2022 11:13 AM
Team Norfolk –
Our friends at the National Weather Service in Wakefield have communicated multiple components with this impending weather system. While the greatest threat exists south of I-64 (see attached Severe Weather Graphic), Norfolk should still expect to see impacts.
Most immediately is the potential for tornado activity. NWS reports the conditions are conducive for tornado development between 3pm today until midnight.
As for rainfall, the timing has changed since yesterday’s forecast. According to the attached Hourly Graph, the chance of rain exists throughout today and into the night; however, the heaviest rainfall is expected to occur during the overnight hours to Friday evening. The overall amount of rainfall appears minimal.
It is during the morning hours of Friday (around 5am) we should see the winds begin to pick up with gusts peaking late morning around 40mph. These elevated winds will continue throughout the day with a gradual decrease in the evening and through the night.
It is worth noting the significant change in temperatures. While today should see highs around 67 degrees, tomorrow should see a wind chill around 26 degrees.
Finally, this will be a coastal flooding event. According to the attached Tide Graph for Sewell’s Point, we should see the highest tides at 1:48pm Friday afternoon with flooding reaching into the Minor Flooding stage and a bit higher at 2:11am Saturday morning approaching Moderate Flooding. Of course, these are the peak times; flooding will occur leading up to those times and then as the was recedes afterward. Both of these high tides will result in nuisance ponding on the roadways and in lower-lying residential areas.
We will continue to monitor and keep you posted. Please continue to encourage folks to register for Norfolk Alert for immediate life-safety messages.
Thank you!
Jim Redick, Director
Norfolk Emergency Preparedness and Response
EOC-Plans@norfolk.gov