Flooding In Hampton Roads As Ian's Remnants Merge With Nor'easter

HAMPTON ROADS, VA — Flooding is possible in Virginia Beach and across Hampton Roads through Tuesday due in part to the remnants of post-tropical storm Ian, according to the National Weather Service.

Forecasters revised their flooding forecasts for the Hampton Roads area during the day Monday as winds shifted. Due to a combination of winds becoming more north-northwest, tides were expected to be at least 1 to 2 feet lower Monday afternoon than forecasters expected Sunday, the NWS said.

Water levels are now mainly expected to reach moderate flood levels at high tide Monday, which was expected around 4:15 p.m. Across the region, the highest water levels are expected between 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. on Monday.

Early Monday morning, the NWS said the region could experience one of the highest tides in the past decade and urged residents "to make plans accordingly if you live in an area impacted by tidal flooding, as this is expected to be a significant event."

The NWS said what is left of Hurricane Ian was merging with a low-pressure system offshore to form a nor'easter that was expected to generate a multi-day coastal flood event affecting the Atlantic Coast and southern Chesapeake Bay. Flooding was expected to extend along tidal rivers and creeks, making some roads impassable and pose a threat to vehicles and low-lying properties.

On Sunday night, Virginia Beach declared a local state of emergency due to anticipated widespread flooding throughout the city. City facilities, offices, libraries, recreation centers and the Virginia Aquarium closed at noon on Monday.

Many school divisions in the region, including Virginia Beach, canceled classes on Monday.

Virginia Beach officials warned that flooding was possible, particularly along the Chesapeake Bay area, the North End, the resort area, Sandbridge and the Lynnhaven River and its tributaries. Virginia Beach said it expects high water hazards on roadways, especially during Monday afternoon and Tuesday morning commutes.

The City of Portsmouth also declared a local emergency ahead of potential tidal flooding Monday, WAVY.com reported.

Due to the poor conditions in the region, the U.S. Navy postponed the first-ever deployment of the U.S.S. Gerald R. Ford, the nation’s most advanced aircraft carrier, The Associated Press reported Monday. The carrier and other U.S. ships were scheduled to leave Norfolk on Monday for training exercises in the Atlantic Ocean.

Areas prone to taking on water during wintertime nor'easters such as Norfolk "will likely experience similar conditions through the first half of this week," AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Alex Sosnowski said Monday.

"As the new portion of this storm strengthens and pivots westward for a time into Tuesday night, coastal flooding problems could worsen before they improve with the storm heading out to sea at midweek," Sosnowski said.

AccuWeather meteorologists expect winds to gust from 40 to 60 mph along the immediate coastline on the Chesapeake Bay and in the Virginia Tidewater region.

A coastal flood warning is in effect for the region until 7 p.m. Wednesday.

"Widespread flooding of vulnerable areas will result in an elevated threat of property damage to homes and businesses near the waterfront and shoreline," the NWS said. "Water will be 1 to 2 feet
above ground level in some areas resulting in a sufficient depth to close numerous roads and threaten homes and businesses. Flooding will extend inland from the waterfront along tidal
rivers and bays resulting in some road closures and flooding of vehicles."

Rapid sea level rise caused by climate change and sinking land is increasing the frequency and intensity of coastal flood events in Virginia Beach, CNN reported Monday. Sea level in the Virginia Beach area has climbed 10 inches in the last 40 years, which has made extreme flooding more frequent.