Team –
Please see this morning’s Ian Brief from the NWS. Our area is under a Coastal Flood Watch until tomorrow at 4 pm. The Tide Chart shows two high tides of particular interest: Friday which peaks at 12:56 pm then Saturday at 1:16 am. The Saturday afternoon high tide has dropped and should not be any more problematic than the typical ponding on some roadways. To gauge how the higher tides might look, go to TITAN. Remember, 1.) the NWS uses the MLLW datum in the tidal graph and TITAN uses the NAVD88 datum. So, with a forecast level of 5.5’, enter 4.5’ in TITAN as shown in the Berkley, Downtown, and ODU areas, (likewise, enter 3.5 if you want to see the 4.5 flood level), and 2.) TITAN reflects TIDAL FLOODING and not wave activity or rainfall. The Hourly Graph shows the rainfall arriving a little sooner – tomorrow morning instead of the afternoon. Public Works continues to monitor and is prepared to close the floodgates on an as-needed basis. The forecasted flood levels do not meet the threshold for any other protective actions.
The Governor declared a State of Emergency yesterday evening in advance of the storm. In Virginia, this is an administrative requirement to deploy state resources within the Commonwealth as well as in support of other states.
The next NWS/VDEM weather call is scheduled for 2:30 pm.
Please send any questions you have to eoc-plans@norfolk.gov.
Thanks!
Jim Redick
Director, Emergency Preparedness and Response