Many of us in Hampton Roads feel an overshadowing sense of dread of what the next three days will bring. The forecasts increasing look like we are going to be almost directly in the path of Irene's eyes (see the image above) and the storm surge predictions which so far equal the levels of Hurricane Isabel in 2003 mean that thousands of homes and businesses will likely flood. Isabel brought 18 inches of water into the house. But that was without flood doors and sand bagging. The boyfriend and I will be putting heretofore untested flood doors in place tomorrow and hoping that they can either keep the water out of our home completely or at least minimize it. As an added safe guard, all the first floor furniture will be moved to the second floor (which will look like a furniture warehouse when we're done). In addition, we took photos on a room by room basis to document the pre-storm condition of the house. Below are scenes of the house and backyard looking very tranquil this morning, as well as a photo of the Navy vessels making their sortie that I took while stopped on the HRBT (click on the image to see one of the nuclear carriers is in the background to the left of the no stopping sign - the other one having left port earlier in the morning). NOTE: I will post storm aftermath photos.
At my office, we will likewise prepare for the worse in case of roof or window damage and bag the computers and copy machines, etc. in large lawn and leaf bags and close all of the interior doors to minimize damage should a plate glass window blow out. My daughter is preparing the house in Norfolk with her boyfriends help. Thankfully, the Norfolk house is located in one of the highest places in the west side of Norfolk, so flooding should be a non-issue. A neighbor's enormous tree is another matter.
Here some highlights from one of the most recent Virginian Pilot pieces on the coming storm:
Virginia Beach ordered a mandatory evacuation of Sandbridge because it may be cut off from the mainland by storm surge, large waves and hurricane-force winds. The city asked that evacuations be completed by noon Saturday and that people stay away until the storm has passed. Roads going into Sandbridge will be closed at 8 a.m. Saturday. The city will open four shelters.
Norfolk issued a voluntary evacuation order to all residents in low-lying areas.The city will open six shelters Friday at 6 p.m. Shelters will be at Granby High School, Norview High School, Lake Taylor Middle School, Maury High School, Campostella Elementary School and the East Ocean View Senior Center. All residents should bring bedding materials, toiletries, medicine, food and other items necessary to ride out the storm. Pets are not allowed.
Tunnel closings possible. McDonnell said the people of Hampton Roads need to be prepared for the closures of the Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel, the Monitor-Merrimac Memorial Bridge Tunnel, the Midtown Tunnel and other water crossings in the region, likely on Saturday morning. . . . . The Midtown Tunnel could be closed as soon as 6 a.m. Saturday, said Dennis Heuer, Hampton Roads district administrator.
Isabel-level flooding possible. Based on current forecasts, Irene could cause serious flooding in Hampton Roads, approaching that caused by the area’s last major hurricane, Isabel in 2003. As of 1:22 p.m., the National Weather Service was predicting a storm surge of 7 feet at Sewells Point on Norfolk Naval Station at the storm’s peak Saturday night. That compares to a 7.9-foot surge during Isabel.
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