Community Corner
π± Patch AM: What Portsmouth families should do if lightning strikes their home
And on the Portsmouth Patch calendar - Creative Nation - Wave Fest

Hi there, Portsmouth! We've got your morning read ready! Read on to stay connected. ☀️
In today's newsletter:
- What Portsmouth families should do if lightning strikes their home
- What a new $30M Navy contract could mean for Portsmouth
Today's riddle: What did the Buffalo say when his son left? 🤔 (Answer below!)
- Sunday: A stray afternoon t-storm, with a high of 89 and low of 65 degrees. 🌶 Hot!
- Monday: Mostly sunny and hot, temps: high: 90, low: 67.
- Tuesday: Mostly sunny, with a high of 87 and low of 67 degrees.
📰 News we're reading
• Lightning strikes damage 3 Hampton Roads homes; fire officials share safety tips (13newsnow.com) — A Portsmouth family is facing home repairs after lightning reportedly struck their house during recent severe storms that also damaged two homes in Virginia Beach. Fire officials are using the incidents to urge Hampton Roads residents to clear cluttered attics, unplug electronics during storms, and regularly test interconnected smoke alarms. They also stress evacuating immediately and seeking safe shelter if lightning hits your home.
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• Q.E.D. Systems Wins $30.3M Navy IDIQ for Naval Ship Steam Propulsion Plant Overhaul (envzone.com) — Portsmouth is one of several Navy locations slated to receive work under a new $30.3 million contract to overhaul steam propulsion components for various ships. Most of the work will be done in Virginia Beach, but some activity and potential economic impact will reach local naval facilities here through 2031.
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📸 Around Portsmouth
Show off your photography skills and the sights around town! Click here to submit your Photo of the Day to Patch AM!
🗓 Upcoming Events in Portsmouth
Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!
★ Featured events ★
- Creative Nation - Wave Fest →
Portsmouth Pavilion, 16 Crawford Cir, Portsmouth
5:00 pm
Sunday August 30
Want to see your event featured? Click here!
Other local events
- First Day of School
Norfolk , VA 23510 - Churchland Lions Club →
Portsmouth Public Library - Adults Coleman Meeting Room - Churchland Branch - 4934 High Street West Portsmouth VA 23703
5:00 pm - Orientation Day - Vera Stark
Little Theatre of Norfolk Little Theatre Of Norfolk 801 Claremont Ave, Norfolk, VA 23507
7:00 pm
Monday August 24
📣 Portsmouth Shout Outs!
Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!
🗓 Events Nearby
- First Day of School
Norfolk , VA 23510 - Architectural Review Board →
Norfolk, VA Calendar, 810 Union Street City Hall - 11th Floor Conference Room, Norfolk
4:00 pm - Orientation Day - Vera Stark
Little Theatre of Norfolk Little Theatre Of Norfolk 801 Claremont Ave, Norfolk, VA 23507
7:00 pm - Laser Cutter Group Orientation →
Norfolk, VA Calendar, 215 E. Plume Street, Norfolk
5:00 pm - Virtual Event: Philippine-American Heritage in Washington, D.C. →
Norfolk, VA Calendar
7:00 pm - Mayor's Cup Blood Drive →
Norfolk, VA Calendar, 1176 Pine Ridge Road, Norfolk
9:00 am - Job Readiness Fair →
Norfolk, VA Calendar, 1425 Norchester Ave., Norfolk
10:00 am - Social Cycling Ride with Bike Norfolk →
Norfolk, VA Calendar, 2406 Colley Ave, Norfolk
6:30 pm
Monday August 24
Tuesday August 25
Wednesday August 26
Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.
Thank you 👏👏👏 to these businesses for making Portsmouth PatchAM possible:
- AARP Virginia
- AARP Virginia — (866) 542-8164
Click here to show your appreciation! 💚
Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.
💬 Chatter
What your neighbors are talking about on social media
- Meet Mayne!
Mayne made his debut on The Hampton Roads Show this morning and then finished his morning by stopping by the Portsmouth Welcome Center to shoot the… (Nextdoor ) - 54th Annual Seawall Art Show - August 22-23, 2026 - High Street from Crawford Street to Court Street
Art. Music. Food. Waterfront views. Spend a summer weekend exploring original works from more than 60 artists while enjoying live entertainment,… (Nextdoor )
- Checkers & Rally's - Checkers Drive-In Restaurants, Inc. posted a job opening for Team Member in Portsmouth. Apply here.
- Food Lion posted a job opening for PT Customer Service Leader in Portsmouth. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Portsmouth here.
🗞 Nearby News
Norfolk
- Norfolk Arts Commission Awards Grants to 37 Organizations (hamptonroadsmessenger.com)
- Norfolk mother wants life sentence for man accused of killing her daughter (13newsnow.com)
- Eat, Shop, Play in Norfolk's Up-And-Coming Railyard District (visitnorfolk.com)
Ok Portsmouth! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!
-- The Patch AM Team
P.S. The answer to today's riddle: Bison! (Thank you Judy M. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!
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