Team Norfolk Storm Update 8-28-17 @ 3:30pm

All,

The Emergency Operations Center participated in the afternoon conference call with the Virginia Department of Emergency Management (VDEM) and the National Weather Service in Wakefield.  Bill Sammler reported the following [paraphrased] on behalf of the NWS:

The tropical system, expected to become Tropical Depression or Tropical Storm Irma, is still a bit disorganized but expected nonetheless to make its way up to Coastal Carolina and then move quickly off shore.  It’s during this time the storm is expected to intensify. 

Rain is expected between now and midnight Tuesday night with overall accumulation of ~2-4”.  The period of greatest impact regarding winds and storm surge are tomorrow (Tuesday) 10am to midnight.  Winds will be the strongest during that same timeframe with gusts expected in the 50-60mph range.  The forecast for minor to low-end moderate flooding on the tides chart is not expected to change.

The storm-specific link remains http://www.weather.gov/akq/PTC10 until the name is changed to Tropical Depression and/or Tropical Storm Irma.

The Hourly Graph attached reflects wind gusts peaking at 51mph Tuesday at 5pm.  Moreover, the rain combined with a 3:55pm high tide will result in nuisance flooding and certainly in the low-lying coastal areas.  72-Hour Precipitation Forecast and Tide Chart reflecting ~1.5" for Norfolk also attached.

More to come.

Thanks!

Jim

Jim Redick
Director, Norfolk EOC
james.redick@norfolk.gov