ReadyVB: Possible Nor’easter Storm Could Bring Flooding, Wind This Weekend

Virginia Beach is expected to get up to 4 inches of rain and wind gusts up to 60 mph this weekend, causing coastal and tidal flooding. With high tide levels, dangerous waves and rip currents are expected as well. 

For residents who need to move their vehicles out of flood-prone areas, four City parking garages at Town Center will be available starting Saturday afternoon and through Monday morning. Parking is free, but the public is asked to avoid parking in reserved and resident spaces. 

The City is making plans for possible scenarios and wants to make sure that residents and businesses also are prepared for potential impacts of the storm, which could include losing access to food, water, electricity, cell phone service or other services.  

What You Can Do Now to Prepare  

• Sign up for VBAlert, the Virginia Beach emergency alert and warning system that sends messages to registered users via text, email and phone. Text VBALERT to 67283 to opt in. Reply STOP at any time to opt out. You can also sign up at VirginiaBeach.gov/VBAlert.    
• Assemble an emergency kit with essential supplies to sustain you and your family for at least 72 hours. To help you build an effective emergency kit, how many to make, and where to store them, VirginiaBeach.gov/ReadyVB has several tips and resources.    
• Make a plan. A free, fillable emergency preparedness plan template is available for residents. Use this template to create a personalized emergency preparedness plan for you or your family.  Follow these tips to prepare your pets for disasters. 
• Download the WAZE mobile app to document, report and see the latest on road conditions/closures. Residents can also report flooding or other hazardous road conditions directly on the WAZE app or by calling 311 in Virginia Beach.   
• Charge your electronic devices. Keep them fully charged in anticipation that some areas may lose power. Remember that home Wi-Fi networks and streaming services may not be available when the power is out. Mobile devices may be the best way to get information.  
• Bring loose, lightweight objects inside, such as patio furniture, garbage cans, bicycles and children’s toys. 
• Anchor outdoor objects that would be unsafe to bring inside (such as gas grills and propane tanks). 
• Trim or remove damaged trees and limbs close enough to fall on structures. 
• Secure loose rain gutters and downspouts and clear any clogged areas or debris to prevent water damage to your property. 
• Document the condition of your home prior to the storm for insurance purposes with photos and video. 
• Consider purchasing a portable generator or install a whole-house generator for use during power outages. 
• Consider moving your vehicle to a protected, high location on your property or to the Town Center parking garages. 

If Conditions Worsen: 

• Do not walk, swim, or drive through flood waters. Turn Around, Don’t Drown! 
  • Just 6 inches of moving water can knock you down, and 1 foot of moving water can sweep your vehicle away. 
  • Stay off of bridges and fast-moving water, and stay off the roads as much as possible. If you must travel on a flooded roadway, take it very slowly to avoid pushing a wake into nearby homes and businesses.
  • Flood waters contain high bacteria levels, which can be harmful. Do not allow children to play in them.
• Report power outages to Dominion Energy by calling 866-366-4357. Report a downed power line at online. Every downed power line is an energized threat. Do not touch any fallen electrical lines!  
• Be aware of power outage safety tips at: www.ready.gov/power-outages  
• Preserve battery power in your mobile devices by only using it to send and receive essential information.  
• Report downed trees, downed tree limbs and flooding by calling 311. 

Parking Available

For residents who need to move their vehicles out of flood-prone areas, four municipal garages at Town Center will be available starting Saturday afternoon and through Monday morning. Parking is free, but the public is asked to avoid parking in reserved spaces at the Town Center garages as these spaces are leased by residents, and towing will be enforced. Be aware that if garages lose power, lighting and elevators will not be operable.      

• Maroon Garage (Apex Entertainment VB)    
• Red Garage (Westin Hotel)    
• Green Garage (Armada Hoffler Tower)    
• Orange Garage (Clark Nexsen Tower)    

What the City of Virginia Beach is Doing 

The City’s Emergency Management team, which works year-round to help prepare and mitigate impacts to the city, is monitoring this storm. The team keeps key departments, such as Public Safety and Public Works, informed on what actions might be necessary based on potential scenarios. And all departments are preparing equipment and staff for further action that might be required, including having crucial crews on stand-by. 

The team also is keeping in close communication with the other partners in the city, region and state, as well as those planning this weekend’s Boardwalk Art Show.  

Actions the City has taken and have planned for this nor’easter include: 

• The Windsor Woods Tide Gate was closed on Wednesday, and pumped down Thursday and Friday to create room for runoff 
• Ashville Park Tide Gate will be pumped down in preparation for heavy rains 
• All stormwater pump stations are being checked and prepared for the weekend 

Additional City actions for this nor’easter include staging high-water and public-safety vehicles, and adding more staff for the emergency call center and forestry crews.  

What is a Nor'easter?

These conditions could come from a possible nor’easter, which is a type of storm along the East Coast caused by winds coming from the northeast. According to the National Weather Service, these storms are worse during the fall and winter, as the polar jet stream transports cold Arctic air southward and eastward, where it meets the warm waters of the Gulf Stream. The difference in temperature between the warm air over the Atlantic Ocean and the cold Arctic air over the land fuels the nor’easters. 

Stay Informed 

Keep updated as conditions progress with possible emergency notifications, cancelations and other storm information by following the City’s social media platforms, Facebook, X, Nextdoor and Instagram. The City’s website, VirginiaBeach.gov, is another excellent place to find emergency preparedness information and alerts. 

TV and radio are other platforms that the City will use to share information and emergency notifications. VB Now Cable Channels — Cox Channel 46, 47 and 48 and Verizon Channel 45, 46 and 47 — provide emergency information including the City's operational status and facilities closure notices. The City also sends updates to the news desks of the local public television stations. 

• ReadyVB