VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. — The National Weather Service has issued a Flood Watch beginning at 2 p.m. Thursday for portions of southeast Virginia and northeast North Carolina, warning that heavy rainfall could cause dangerous flooding through the overnight hours. According to the Country Herald, rainfall totals between 2 to 4 inches are expected, with locally higher amounts potentially exceeding 4 inches in some areas.
Areas Under the Flood Watch
The watch includes major population centers in Virginia Beach, Norfolk, Chesapeake, Suffolk, Newport News, and Hampton, as well as surrounding counties. In North Carolina, Camden, Currituck, Hertford, and Pasquotank counties are also under alert.
Flooding is most likely to occur in low-lying neighborhoods, poor-drainage areas, and locations near creeks, streams, and underpasses where water can rise quickly during heavy downpours.
Potential Impacts and Safety Guidance
Officials caution that flash flooding can develop rapidly during the most intense rainfall periods, making some roads impassable within minutes. Residents are urged to:
- Avoid driving through flooded roadways.
- Move vehicles to higher ground before storms arrive.
- Keep mobile devices fully charged in case of power outages.
The Flood Watch will remain in effect until late Thursday night, with additional advisories possible if rain continues into early Friday.
Staying Prepared
Meteorologists recommend monitoring local forecasts closely throughout the day, especially during the late afternoon and evening hours when the heaviest rainfall is expected. Those living in flood-prone areas should be ready to take quick action if water levels begin to rise…