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"Hurricane Erin Hits Virginia Beach: Flooded Roads, Power Outages, and Community Support"
Published 8 months ago
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Good morning, this is Virginia Beach Local Pulse for Thursday, August 21st.
We’re waking up to winds whipping through the oceanfront as Hurricane Erin passes close by the Virginia coast. At last check, Erin is a strong Category 2 hurricane sitting about 300 miles offshore, sending large swells and tropical storm-force winds into our area. The city has activated its emergency services and opened parking at all four Town Center garages—Maroon, Red, Green, and Orange—for anyone needing higher ground for their vehicles. Leaders like Police Chief Paul Neudigate and EMS Division Chief Bruce Nedelka ask that we secure valuables and prepare, especially if we rely on medication or oxygen. The city warns us to avoid flooded roads and heed all safety alerts, as certain neighborhoods along Lynnhaven and Great Neck roads could see coastal flooding and brief power outages.
Speaking of power, we’ve got scattered outages reported overnight, but as of now Dominion is on top of repairs. Some roads near Rudee Inlet and Shore Drive are already experiencing pooling water, so let’s steer clear and keep emergency routes open. Storm surge warnings are in effect, with gusty winds expected all day. It’s breezy, with highs in the upper 70s and steady rain bands sweeping through. Friday offers some relief with sunshine and highs near 80 before more showers may return this weekend.
Erin’s surf is historic, providing waves up to 20 feet and drawing surfers and spectators to the East Coast Surfing Championships at the oceanfront. Organizers say they’re pausing competition today for safety, especially with dangerous rip currents along every beach. Please stay out of the water—rescue teams have been busy up and down the Mid-Atlantic.
In other news, City Council just passed a nonbinding resolution asking Oceanfront retailers to voluntarily remove any items or displays considered vulgar or indecent. This comes as the boardwalk prepares for another late summer tourism surge.
For jobs, the market here is holding steady, with about two hundred postings for medical, hospitality, and tech roles open at major employers like Sentara and Amazon’s new sort center, which quietly started hiring last week out by Princess Anne Road.
Real estate remains healthy despite all the storms—median home prices are just under four hundred thousand dollars and inventory is up slightly this month, helped by new condos popping up near Town Center.
Turning to crime and public safety, we had a significant incident yesterday morning when a Navy F-18 Super Hornet from Oceana crashed offshore during a training exercise. The pilot ejected and was safely rescued by a Coast Guard team within the hour. The investigation continues, but officials confirm there is no ongoing risk to the public.
For schools, congrats to our Ocean Lakes High School robotics team, which took third place in last week’s regional coding challenge, and a big shout out to First Colonial varsity softball, pulling off a comeback win against Kempsville, 8 to 6.
Tonight at Bow Creek Rec Center, don’t miss a nonpartisan debate for the upcoming state delegate elections, held from two to four. If you can, show your support for those giving back at the Bayville Park Beach Clean-Up on Saturday morning. If you’re able, lend a hand and help keep our shorelines beautiful after the storm.
And for a feel-good note, our neighbors over at Hilltop organized a supply drive this week, collecting nearly five hundred care packages for local families riding out the hurricane—just another reminder of our community’s spirit.
Thank you for tuning in to Virginia Beach Local Pulse. Remember to subscribe for your daily local briefing. This has been a quiet please production, for more check out quiet please dot ai.
For more http://www.quietplease.ai
Get th
We’re waking up to winds whipping through the oceanfront as Hurricane Erin passes close by the Virginia coast. At last check, Erin is a strong Category 2 hurricane sitting about 300 miles offshore, sending large swells and tropical storm-force winds into our area. The city has activated its emergency services and opened parking at all four Town Center garages—Maroon, Red, Green, and Orange—for anyone needing higher ground for their vehicles. Leaders like Police Chief Paul Neudigate and EMS Division Chief Bruce Nedelka ask that we secure valuables and prepare, especially if we rely on medication or oxygen. The city warns us to avoid flooded roads and heed all safety alerts, as certain neighborhoods along Lynnhaven and Great Neck roads could see coastal flooding and brief power outages.
Speaking of power, we’ve got scattered outages reported overnight, but as of now Dominion is on top of repairs. Some roads near Rudee Inlet and Shore Drive are already experiencing pooling water, so let’s steer clear and keep emergency routes open. Storm surge warnings are in effect, with gusty winds expected all day. It’s breezy, with highs in the upper 70s and steady rain bands sweeping through. Friday offers some relief with sunshine and highs near 80 before more showers may return this weekend.
Erin’s surf is historic, providing waves up to 20 feet and drawing surfers and spectators to the East Coast Surfing Championships at the oceanfront. Organizers say they’re pausing competition today for safety, especially with dangerous rip currents along every beach. Please stay out of the water—rescue teams have been busy up and down the Mid-Atlantic.
In other news, City Council just passed a nonbinding resolution asking Oceanfront retailers to voluntarily remove any items or displays considered vulgar or indecent. This comes as the boardwalk prepares for another late summer tourism surge.
For jobs, the market here is holding steady, with about two hundred postings for medical, hospitality, and tech roles open at major employers like Sentara and Amazon’s new sort center, which quietly started hiring last week out by Princess Anne Road.
Real estate remains healthy despite all the storms—median home prices are just under four hundred thousand dollars and inventory is up slightly this month, helped by new condos popping up near Town Center.
Turning to crime and public safety, we had a significant incident yesterday morning when a Navy F-18 Super Hornet from Oceana crashed offshore during a training exercise. The pilot ejected and was safely rescued by a Coast Guard team within the hour. The investigation continues, but officials confirm there is no ongoing risk to the public.
For schools, congrats to our Ocean Lakes High School robotics team, which took third place in last week’s regional coding challenge, and a big shout out to First Colonial varsity softball, pulling off a comeback win against Kempsville, 8 to 6.
Tonight at Bow Creek Rec Center, don’t miss a nonpartisan debate for the upcoming state delegate elections, held from two to four. If you can, show your support for those giving back at the Bayville Park Beach Clean-Up on Saturday morning. If you’re able, lend a hand and help keep our shorelines beautiful after the storm.
And for a feel-good note, our neighbors over at Hilltop organized a supply drive this week, collecting nearly five hundred care packages for local families riding out the hurricane—just another reminder of our community’s spirit.
Thank you for tuning in to Virginia Beach Local Pulse. Remember to subscribe for your daily local briefing. This has been a quiet please production, for more check out quiet please dot ai.
For more http://www.quietplease.ai
Get th