The latest on Hurricane Sandy
Published 1:36 pm Friday, October 26, 2012
![7242-parker_blair](https://www.suffolknewsherald.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2012/10/7242-parker_blair.jpg)
Parker Blair, 7, paddles through his backyard on Holly Hill Lane, off Godwin Boulevard, on Monday morning. His mother, Elizabeth Blair, said the backyard flooded during high tide.
UPDATE Tuesday 5:30 p.m.
The city reported the following road conditions at 4:30 p.m.
- The entrance to Northgate Commerce Parkway is now open.
- The 3900 block of Old Mill Road is flooded and impassable. High water signs are in place.
- The 1300 to 1600 blocks of Buckhorn Road from Deer Path Road to Indian Trail have high water covering the roadway and are closed.
- The 500 block of Pioneer Road has high water with signs in place. The roadway is open.
- The 6200 block of Mineral Spring Road has high water with signs in place. The roadway is open.
- The 5300 to 5400 block of Mineral Spring Road has high water with signs in place. The roadway is open.
- Wyanoke Trail at the dead end has high water and remains open.
- Indian Trail from Lake Cahoon Road to Lake Meade Drive has high water at the railroad trestle. High water signs are in place and the roadway is open.
- The 4900 to 6200 blocks of Holy Neck Road from Old South Quay Road to Vicksburg Road have high water and are passable.
- Little Creek Road will be closed Wednesday at 8 a.m. for the removal of leaning trees in the right of way. A detour will be in place with traffic routed to Archers Mill Road.
UPDATE Tuesday 11:30 a.m.
- Nansemond Parkway is now open in both directions on the west side of the intersection with Shoulders Hill Road. The entrance to Northgate Commerce Park is closed due to high water.
- The 3900 block of Old Mill road is flooded and high water signs are in place.
- The 1300 to 1600 block of Buckhorn Road has high water covering the roadway and is closed.
- Wilroy Road from Progress Road to the 2300 block of Wilroy Road has high water but the roadway is passable.
- 1000 block of Freeman Mill Road from Mineral Springs Road to Whaleyville Boulevard has high water, but the roadway is passable.
- 3600 block of Desert Road from Clay Hill Road to Deer Forest Road has high water but remains passable.
- 100 block of Dutch Road from Cumberland Lane to Holland Road high water at the railroad tracks. One lane is passable.
- 900 block of Dutch Road from Longstreet Lane to South Quay Road has high water but is passable.
- 500 block of Pioneer Road has high water with signs in place. The roadway is open.
- 6200 block of Mineral Spring Road has high water with signs in place. The roadway is open.
- 5400 to 5300 block of Mineral Spring Road has high water with signs in place. The roadway is open.
- 4100 block of Quaker Drive has high water with signs in place. The roadway is open.
- Wyanoke Trail at the dead end has high water and remains open.
- Indian Trail from Lake Cahoon Road to Lake Meade Drive has high water at the railroad trestle. High water signs are in place and the roadway is open.
- 4900 to 6200 block of Holy Neck Road from Old South Quay Road to Vicksburg Road has high water and is passable.
- 1500 block of Wilroy Road from Turner Drive to North River Creek Landing has high water and is passable in both directions.
UPDATE Tuesday 10 a.m.
- Nansemond Parkway is now open in both directions on the west side of the intersection with Shoulders Hill Road. The entrance to Northgate Commerce Park is closed due to high water.
- The 3900 block of Old Mill road is flooded and high water signs are in place.
- The 1300 to 1600 block of Buckhorn Road has high water covering the roadway and is closed.
- Wilroy Road from Progress Road to the 2300 block of Wilroy Road has high water but the roadway is passable.
- 1000 block of Freeman Mill Road from Mineral Springs Road to Whaleyville Boulevard has high water, but the roadway is passable.
- 3600 block of Desert Road from Clay Hill Road to Deer Forest Road has high water but remains passable.
- 100 block of Dutch Road from Cumberland Lane to Holland Road high water at the railroad tracks. One lane is passable.
- 900 block of Dutch Road from Longstreet Lane to South Quay Road has high water but is passable.
- 500 block of Pioneer Road has high water with signs in place. The roadway is open.
- 6200 block of Mineral Spring Road has high water with signs in place. The roadway is open.
- 5400 to 5300 block of Mineral Spring Road has high water with signs in place. The roadway is open.
- 4100 block of Quaker Drive has high water with signs in place. The roadway is open.
- Wyanoke Trail at the dead end has high water and remains open.
- Indian Trail from Lake Cahoon Road to Lake Meade Drive has high water at the railroad trestle. High water signs are in place and the roadway is open.
- 4900 to 6200 block of Holy Neck Road from Old South Quay Road to Vicksburg Road has high water and is passable.
- 1500 block of Wilroy Road from Turner Drive to North River Creek Landing has high water and is passable in both directions.
UPDATE Monday 10 p.m.
The earlier outage of thousands of Dominion Virginia Power customers has been reduced to 17. There is still no word on the reason for the outage.
UPDATE Monday 7:20 p.m.
Approximately 2,000 Dominion Virginia Power customers in Suffolk are out of power because of the storm.
Outages along Crittenden Road and in Eclipse are affecting 2,043 customers at 7:20 p.m., according to Dominion’s online outage map.
An estimated restoration time is not yet listed on the map.
UPDATE Monday 5:30 p.m.
Suffolk Public Schools has announced a two-hour delay for Tuesday:
- Bus pick-ups for all students will begin two hours later than normal pick-up times.
- Breakfast will not be served.
- Elementary students should not arrive before 10:30 a.m.
- Secondary students should not arrive before 9:20 a.m. Staff will not be available to supervise early arrivals.
- Dismissal time and after-school activities remain the same unless otherwise announced.
- The before-school childcare program and YMCA before-school program will open at 8:30 a.m.
The city has reported the following road status information as of 4 p.m.
- Until this evening’s high tide, the 700 block of North Main Street has high water but is open and passable in both directions.
- Wilroy Road is closed from Progress Road to the 2300 block of Wilroy Road due to high water.
- Nansemond Parkway at Shoulders Hill Road has an eastbound lane closure in the construction area near Shoulders Hill Road and the entrance to Northgate Commerce Park due to high water.
- The 3900 block of Old Mill Road is flooded and high water signs are in place.
- The 1300 to 1600 block of Buckhorn Road has high water covering the roadway and is closed.
- 3600 block of Desert Road from Clay Hill Road to Deer Forest Road has high water but remains passable.
- 100 block of Dutch Road from Cumberland Lane to Holland Road has high water at the railroad tracks. One lane is passable.
- 8400 block of Pineview Road has high water. Signs are in place and the roadway is open.
- 1400 block of Lummis Road has high water and the roadway is open.
- 900 block of Dutch Road from Longstreet Lane to South Quay Road has high water but is passable.
- 500 block of Pioneer Road has high water with signs in place. The roadway is open.
- 6200 block of Mineral Spring Road has high water with signs in place. The roadway is open.
- 5400 to 5300 block of Mineral Spring Road has high water with signs in place. The roadway is open.
- 4100 block of Quaker Drive has high water with signs in place. The roadway is open.
- 4500 block of Adams Swamp Road near the intersection of Gates Run Road and the North Carolina State Line has high water and remains open.
- 4300 block of Adams Swamp Road has high water and remains open.
- Brookwood Drive from Camellia Drive to Magnolia Drive has high water and remains passable.
- 1200 block of Holland Road at the railroad trestle has high water and remains open.
- Wyanoke Trail at the dead end has high water and remains open.
- Corinth Chapel Road between Camp Pond Road and Gates Road has high water and remains open.
- 700 block of North Main Street at the Kimberly Bridge has high water with both lanes of the road open and passable in both directions.
- Indian Trail from Lake Cahoon Road to Lake Meade Drive has high water at the railroad trestle. High water signs are in place and the roadway is open.
- 4900 to 5100 block of Holy Neck Road form Southwestern Boulevard to New Road has high water with signs in place. The roadway is passable.
- Eclipse Drive from Cross Street to Dixon Road has high water and the roadway is passable.
- Dixon Road at Rivershore Drive has high water and is passable.
- 8700 to 8800 block of New Road from South Quay Road to Ellis Road has high water with signs in place. The roadway is passable.
- 5900 to 6200 block of Holy Neck Road from Old South Quay Road to Ellis Road has high water and is passable.
- 1500 block of Wilroy Road from Turner Drive to North River Creek Landing has high water and is passable in both directions.
The Suffolk Emergency Operations Center will remain open with a limited activation. If residents need to contact the EOC, the number to call is 514-4570.
UPDATE Monday 10 a.m.
At 10 a.m., city officials reported the following road conditions:
- 700 block of North Main Street is closed in both directions at the Kimberly Bridge.
- 3900 block of Old Mill Road is closed.
- Wilroy Road from Progress Road to the 2300 block of Wilroy Road is closed.
- 200 block of East Constance Road from Katherine Street to North Main Street is closed.
- Nansemond Parkway/Shoulders Hill Road intersection has one lane closed but the road remains passable.
- Indian Trail from Lake Cahoon Road to Lake Meade Drive is open. There is high water at the railroad trestle on Indian Trail. High water signs are in place and roadway is passable.
- 8700 to 8800 block of New Road from South Quay Road to Ellis. Road is open. High water signs are in place and roadway is passable.
- Brookwood Drive from Camellia Drive to Magnolia Drive is open. High water signs are in place and roadway is passable.
- 1300 to 1600 block of Buckhorn Drive is open. There is high water at this location but roadway is passable.
- 5100 block of Holy Neck Road from Southwestern Boulevard to New Road is open. High water signs are in place and roadway is passable.
- 5900 to 6200 block of Holy Neck Road from Old South Quay Road to Ellis Road is open. There is high water at this location but the roadway is passable.
Also, the city announced that the Suffolk parks and Recreation senior program at East Suffolk Recreation Center, originally scheduled from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., is canceled. Due to the weather, Senior Services of Southeastern Virginia will not be providing meals or transportation for the program.
The Virginia Department of Transportation announced that the public hearing scheduled for Monday evening at Windsor High School regarding design and construction of the new Route 460 had been canceled.
UPDATE Monday 9:30 a.m.
At 9:30 a.m., city officials reported the following road conditions:
- 700 block of North Main Street is closed in both directions at the Kimberly Bridge.
- 3900 block of Old Mill Road is closed.
- Wilroy Road from Progress Road to the 2300 block of Wilroy Road is closed.
- 200 block of East Constance Road from Katherine Street to North Main Street is closed.
- Nansemond Parkway/Shoulders Hill Road intersection has one lane closed but the road remains passable.
- Indian Trail from Lake Cahoon Road to Lake Meade Drive is open. There is high water at the railroad trestle on Indian Trail. High water signs are in place and roadway is passable.
- 8700 to 8800 block of New Road from South Quay Road to Ellis. Road is open. High water signs are in place and roadway is passable.
- Brookwood Drive from Camellia Drive to Magnolia Drive is open. High water signs are in place and roadway is passable.
- 1300 to 1600 block of Buckhorn Drive is open. There is high water at this location but roadway is passable.
- 5100 block of Holy Neck Road from Southwestern Boulevard to New Road is open. High water signs are in place and roadway is passable.
- 5900 to 6200 block of Holy Neck Road from Old South Quay Road to Ellis Road is open. There is high water at this location but the roadway is passable.
UPDATE Sunday 9 p.m.
Now that high tide is back, the 700 block of North Main Street is once again closed because of tidal flooding.
UPDATE Sunday 4:40 p.m.
The city of Suffolk says all roads are open as of 4:15 p.m. At the same time, the following locations had high water but were passable. Most are marked with warning signs.
- Indian Trail from Lake Cahoon Road to Lake Meade Drive is open. There is high water at the railroad trestle on Indian Trail
- 8700 to 8800 block of New Road from South Quay Road to Ellis.
- Brookwood Drive from Camellia Drive to Magnolia Drive
- 1300 to 1600 block of Buckhorn Drive
- 5100 block of Holy Neck Road from Southwestern Boulevard to New Road
- 5900 to 6200 block of Holy Neck Road
- Nansemond Parkway at Shoulders Hill Road
UPDATE Sunday 4:15 p.m.
Suffolk Public Schools and Nansemond-Suffolk Academy have both announced they will be closed Monday.
UPDATE Sunday 1:15 p.m.
Following is a list of closed or flooded roads in Isle of Wight County.
Closed
- Kings Cove Way
- Rescue Road
- South Church Street at Cypress Creek Bridge
- Tan Road
Flooded
- Burdette Road
- Carrollton Boulevard (near the James River Bridge)
UPDATE Sunday 11:30 a.m.
The city of Suffolk has reported road closures because of high water on roads.
The 700 block of North Main Street from East Constance Road to Holly Lawn Parkway is closed. Nearby, the 200 block of East Constance Road from Katherine Street to North Main Street also is closed. Wilroy Road is also closed from the 2300 block to Progress Road.
The Suffolk Visitor Center will close at 1 p.m. Sunday because of the pending severe weather.
At 11:30 a.m., only six customers were out of power in Suffolk. That was improved from more than 240 out about three hours earlier.
UPDATE Sunday 8:20 a.m.
Hurricane Sandy has begun battering Suffolk with wind and rain.
About 243 customers in Suffolk are without electricity at 8:30 a.m., according to Dominion Virginia Power.
Watches and warnings issued remain the same — a high wind warning, coastal flood warning and flood watch.
The storm currently is located 260 miles southeast of Cape Hatteras, N.C. It is moving northeast at 10 miles per hour, according to the National Hurricane Center.
The hurricane is expected to continue that general direction throughout today, then turn to the northwest and make landfall north of Virginia — likely in New Jersey.
UPDATE Saturday 6:30 p.m.
The National Weather Service has issued a high wind warning and a coastal flood warning for Suffolk.
The high wind warning will be in effect from 8 a.m. Sunday to 8 p.m. Monday. The coastal flood warning will be in effect from 6 a.m. Sunday to midnight Monday night.
Residents should prepare for the possibilities of downed trees and power outages because of wind, as well as flooding along the James River and its tributaries during morning and evening high tides. Water levels are expected to rise to around two feet above normal during high tides on Sunday, and two to four feet above normal by Monday morning. Moderate to severe flooding is expected within a few hours either side of high tide on Monday morning.
A flood watch is also in effect for low-lying inland areas.
UPDATE Saturday 3:10 p.m.
Suffolk City Manager Selena Cuffee-Glenn has signed a Declaration of Emergency for the city in advance of Hurricane Sandy’s arrival.
The document was signed at 1:40 p.m. Saturday, according to a media release from the city.
The city’s Emergency Operations Center will go to limited activation at noon Sunday. Once activated, the public information number will be 514-4570.
UPDATE Saturday, noon
State Board of Elections Secretary Don Palmer has released a statement on the agency’s preparations for Hurricane Sandy.
Local registrars are being encouraged to keep their offices open to allow in-person absentee voting as scheduled, unless conditions make it unsafe for employees and voters, Palmer said.
Registrars also have been advised “to be accommodating to voters who request to vote absentee due to the potential impact of the storm,” according to the emailed statement.
“SBE has been assured that the Commonwealth’s general registrar offices and more than 2,500 polling places will be given a high priority for restoration of power following the storm,” said the statement.
Many localities have arrangements for alternative power sources, and electronic voting machines are equipped with backup batteries, according to the statement. There is also the option of using paper ballots as a last resort.
Virginia law also permits local electoral boards to request the State Board of Elections grant an emergency polling place relocation if there are any lingering issues, according to the statement.
Suffolk’s voter registrar office is located at 440 Market St. Barring weather concerns, absentee voting in person can be done all next week during business hours, as well as on Nov. 3.
UPDATE Saturday 8:20 a.m.
Hurricane Sandy has weakened somewhat but is still a massive Category 1 storm, the National Hurricane Center says.
The center of the storm was located about 335 miles southeast of Charleston, S.C., at 8 a.m., the center said. Its maximum sustained winds were about 75 miles per hour.
In addition to the flood watch still in effect for Suffolk, a coastal flood watch has also been issued. Water levels from Sunday morning through Monday morning are expected to be 2 to 3 feet above normal. Residents in flood-prone areas should take steps to protect property and be ready to head for higher ground should flooding develop.
UPDATE Friday 5:30 p.m.
The National Weather Service in Wakefield has issued a flood watch for Suffolk and surrounding areas, which will be in effect from Saturday evening through Monday morning.
Heavy rain from Hurricane Sandy is expected to move into the area Saturday afternoon. Heavy rain will persist through Monday morning before diminishing. About 4 to 6 inches of rain are possible in inland areas, according to the warning.
UPDATE Friday 4 p.m.
State officials in a conference call with media urged citizens to be prepared for an extended weather event that could affect the state for four to five days.
After Hurricane Sandy passes, it will be followed by a cold front that also will bring bad weather, as well as the threat of snow to western parts of the state, officials said.
“We’re used to having hurricanes,” Gov. Bob McDonnell said. “We’re just not used to having them in late October, even though we’re still technically in hurricane season. It’s going to be a longstanding weather event, very uniquely followed by cold as opposed to other events that are followed by sustained heat.”
Wind gusts of 60-80 miles per hour are expected along coastal areas, with 40-50 mph gusts in central Virginia, McDonnell said.
Citizens have until mid-afternoon Saturday to rush preparations to completion, McDonnell said.
“At this point, the main message to the people of Virginia is to be prepared,” he said. “It really does come down to the common sense preparations of our citizens, and being a good neighbor.”
With less than a week to recover from the combined weather event before Election Day, McDonnell spoke to concerns about readiness for the voting process.
“There are obviously concerns about making sure we’re ready for Election Day,” McDonnell said.
He noted he has the power to delay Virginia’s voting day but quickly added he does not think it will be necessary.
Dominion Virginia Power has added polling places to its list of top-priority locations for restoration, which already includes such places as hospitals and fire stations.
“The fact they’re adding the balloting places is very helpful,” McDonnell said. “We would anticipate full power restoration at every polling place well before Tuesday.”
UPDATE Friday 1:30 p.m.
Gov. Bob McDonnell has declared a state of emergency in Virginia in preparation for Hurricane Sandy.
The hurricane, dubbed “Frankenstorm” by a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration forecaster because of the likelihood it will combine with other weather systems to make life particularly miserable along the East Coast — and, no doubt, for its unusually late-season appearance so close to Halloween — is expected to make landfall further north than Suffolk.
But that is no cause for apathy, according to the governor.
“We are issuing this state of emergency today as a precautionary measure in order to ensure that we are ready for any potential effects of Hurricane Sandy in the commonwealth,” McDonnell said in a press release. “Weather forecasters are predicting significant weather impacts across much of Virginia, and a long duration event. Now is the time for all Virginians to prepare.”
The eastern third of Virginia could experience tropical storm-force winds for more than 48 hours, according to the release from the governor’s office. The wind will be accompanied by several inches of rain.
The wind and rain combined could lead to extensive power outages, the release said.
Residents in low-lying areas should be ready to evacuate ahead of the storm, according to the release. Citizens should listen to local television and radio stations for instructions.
The National Weather Service has issued tropical storm watches and warnings for areas offshore of Hampton Roads, but not for any inland areas in Virginia thus far.
Dominion Virginia Power is preparing for the storm, according to spokeswoman Bonita Harris.
“This is a dangerous storm, and we are prepared for a multi-day restoration,” Harris said. “We have requested additional crews from other states to be on stand-by to supplement our restoration workforce if needed.”
The city’s Division of Tourism has canceled the Great Dismal Swamp bus tour set for Sunday. The next tour is scheduled for Nov. 4 at 9:30 a.m.
In addition, the Cedar Hill Cemetery and Suffolk Ghost Walk tours set for Saturday are canceled. The next cemetery tour is set for Nov. 3 at 1:30 p.m. The next ghost walk is set for Nov. 3 at 5 p.m.
The Legends of Sleepy Hole Haunted Hayride has been canceled for Saturday night. It is still on for 7 to 11 p.m. Friday night.