Team Norfolk,
We’re currently in the height of the winds and the rain associated with Idalia. As you can see, it’s not too significant. At the same time, coast flood waters have been building up forecasted to peak at 5.3’ at 10 am. For our Norfolk Public School friends, there should not be any flooding concerns between 1 pm to 7 pm. After that, however, the waters rise again this evening to 5.6’, breaching the “Moderate” flood stage, around 10 pm. All should be well again from 1 am – 9 am with more ponding of lesser concern on the roadways expected during tomorrow morning’s high tide at 11 am.
For a glimpse of what this evening’s 5.6’ flooding might look like, visit the TITAN (Tidal Inundation Tracking Application for Norfolk) at https://orf.maps.arcgis.com/apps/dashboards/1fd204f3515e40428e77eea7c659a0e1. When using this tool, be sure to enter a water level 1’ lower than what is provided by the attached NWS tidal chart - this accounts for the differences in the datums being used. (NWS uses the MLLW datum used in the tidal graph to the NAVD88 datum used in TITAN… so, with a forecast level of 5.6’, enter 4.6’ in TITAN as shown here.
In response to these flood levels, the Public Works Storm Water Division has closed the swing gate directly in front of the USS Wisconsin with plans to reopen after the water recedes. They will continue to monitor to determine if the closure of additional gate closures is necessary and expect to close the gate(s) again around 7 pm this evening.
Request for General Services to consider opening the York Street Garage and Brambleton Lot for overnight parking tonight.
More to come.
Thanks!
Jim Redick
Director, Emergency Preparedness and Response