The National Weather Service (NWS) has issued an update on Hurricane Erin, which is expected to curve north and northeast, remaining offshore of the United States East Coast. The latest briefing can be accessed at https://www.weather.gov/media/akq/briefings/LatestBriefing.pdf.
According to forecasts, Hurricane Erin will become a large storm as it moves north and northeast. This development is expected to cause large waves, coastal flooding, and hazardous surf conditions along the Mid-Atlantic coast for the remainder of the week. Significant erosion of beaches and dunes is also anticipated.
A Tropical Storm Warning has been issued for Virginia Beach and the Virginia Eastern Shore. Warnings are also in effect for all Atlantic Coastal waters, Chesapeake Bay, Lower James River, and Currituck County in North Carolina. Areas just outside these warnings—including Norfolk, Chesapeake, Hampton, and Pasquotank/Camden Counties—may still experience wind gusts of 40 mph or greater.
Coastal Flood Watches have been put in place from Thursday through Friday for areas bordering bays, tidal rivers, and the ocean. Moderate coastal flooding is expected from Thursday into Thursday night and may continue through Friday across the mid and upper bay regions. Major flooding could occur near the Lower Bay, Virginia Beach, and parts of Currituck County during Thursday evening’s high tide cycle. In some vulnerable locations, water levels could rise 1 to 3 feet above ground level.
There is a high risk of rip currents throughout the week with dangerous swimming and surfing conditions forecasted. Wave action may cause significant beach and dune erosion through at least Thursday night.
Marine weather reports indicate that tropical storm force wind gusts could begin as early as Wednesday evening and persist through Thursday evening. Seas are predicted to reach heights between 12 to 16 feet by Wednesday night into Thursday morning.
High tide times for Messick are forecasted for several periods over the next few days: 7:57 PM on August 20; 8:19 AM and 8:46 PM on August 21; 9:09 AM and 9:30 PM on August 22; and 9:55 AM and 10:09 PM on August 23.
Storm parking will be available starting at 8 AM on Wednesday at South Lawson Park (hard surface only), the old Police Station on Poquoson Avenue, and City Hall. Parking at the new Public Safety Building is not permitted.
“There is high confidence that Hurricane Erin will eventually curve to the north/northeast and remain offshore of the US East Coast. However, Erin will become a very large storm as it lifts N/NE. This will result in large, building waves, coastal flooding, and dangerous surf zone conditions along the Mid-Atlantic coast for the rest of the week. Significant beach and dune erosion is also likely.”
“A Tropical Storm Warning is now in effect for VA Beach and the VA Eastern Shore. Warnings remain in effect for all of the Atlantic Coastal waters, Chesapeake Bay, Lower James River, and Currituck County, NC. There is still good potential for some wind gusts of 40 mph or greater in areas just outside the tropical storm headlines (including Norfolk, Chesapeake, Hampton, and Pasquotank/Camden Counties).”
“Coastal Flood Watches remain in effect from Thursday-Friday for the entire area bordering the bay, tidal rivers, and ocean. Widespread moderate coastal flooding is expected from Thursday-Thursday night, potentially lasting through Friday across the mid/upper bay. Major flooding is possible in areas adjacent to the Lower Bay VA Beach & Atlantic coast of Currituck County during Thu evening high tide cycle – this corresponds to inundation of 1 to locally around 3 ft above ground level in vulnerable areas.”
“There is a HIGH rip current risk for rest of week…very dangerous swimming/surfing conditions expected! In addition…wave action could result in significant dune/beach erosion from now thru at least Thu night.”
“Marine Weather – Tropical storm force wind gusts could begin as early as this evening & continue thru Thu evening…dangerous seas (12-16ft) forecast by Wed night-Thu morning!”
