News Flash

Sept. 5, 2019 – "Confidence has increased that life-threatening storm surge, flash flooding and strong winds will all be possible across portions of the region," the National Weather Service in Wakefield said in this morning's Dorian update. Hampton is under both a tropical storm warning and a storm surge warning.

City Manager Mary Bunting strongly encouraged Hampton residents who live in the low-lying Zone A to consider evacuating to higher ground, as flooding is expected to occur.

The City of Hampton will open two adjacent shelters at 5 p.m. Thursday. People should go to Phenix School at 1061 Big Bethel Rd., which will be equipped to handle those with medical needs. People with pets should go to nearby Bethel High School. People evacuating to shelters should bring bedding, toys for children, medicine and any special food items. Do not bring weapons or alcohol.  

Predictions are highly depended on the storm path, although residents are urged to not focus on the eye of the storm. The storm, which strengthened to Category 3 overnight, is very large, with hurricane-force winds as far as 60 miles from the center and tropical-storm-force winds extending up to 195 miles.. 

Hampton could begin to feel the effects from Hurricane Dorian as soon as Thursday afternoon, with more serious impact overnight and through Friday. Current rainfall projections for Hampton are in the 3- to 6-inch range. Winds are expected to be strongest early Friday, potentially sustained around 35 mph with gusts to 50 mph. Winds at that speed can snap or uproot trees, send debris flying and cause power outages. 

Moderate to major flooding will likely occur around Friday’s high tide of 4 p.m. Predictions are for a level of nearly 7 feet, which is about the level of flooding during Hurricane Sandy in 2012. High tides before and after may expected to be cause minor flooding as well: Friday at 3:24 a.m. Saturday at 4:27 a.m. and potentially Saturday at 5 p.m.  

The amount and timing of rainfall can also influence  flooding.

Residents who need to leave a car on high ground can use the city's only parking garage, located at 555 Settlers Landing Road downtown. 

Hampton City Schools will cancel extracurricular activities Thursday afternoon, but the city's after-school child care will operate. Schools will be closed Friday., and there will be no Friday athletic or extracurricular events. Thomas Nelson Community College has canceled Friday classes. Langley Air Force Base will close today at 5 p.m., with essential personnel only through Friday. 

Hampton will suspend trash collection on Friday. Residents should not put their cans, bulk trash or yard debris at the curb. In heavy wind and rain, trash cans can blow open or over, spilling contents, and bulk waste can block storm drains, making any flooding worse. Trash collection for Friday’s routes will begin at 7 a.m. on Saturday, assuming conditions allow. 

The temporary traffic cones and signs on Settlers Landing bridge marking the Interstate 64 and Hampton University traffic lane have been removed for safety reasons.

Gov. Ralph Northam and City Manager Mary Bunting have declared states of emergency, which makes it easier to access funding and resources.

There are several ways Hampton residents can keep up with storm news and city announcements:

• Visit hampton.gov
• Sign up at hampton.gov/notifyme to get news and or emergency alerts via text or email
• Sign up for the less-frequent e-newsletter at hampton.gov/enews
• Follow Hampton, VA - Gov on Facebook or @cityofhampton on Twitter
• Watch for posts on NextDoor
• Call 311 (727-8311 from a cell phone)