Hurricane Update: Florence To Bring 'Staggering' Rainfall To VA

VIRGINIA — New forecasts have shifted the likely track of Hurricane Florence from the D.C. area to the Carolinas, but the Category 4 storm with winds of 140 miles per hour could create "historic, catastrophic, and life-threatening flooding," the National Hurricane Center says. Florence is currently barreling its way toward the East Coast, but the hurricane appears to be narrowing its focus on the Carolinas and coastal Virginia, where evacuations have been ordered.

Forecasts call for torrential rains, tropical storm force winds, and tidal flooding/storm surge to affect the state beginning as early as Thursday. Gov. Ralph Northam has ordered a mandatory evacuation for evacuation zone A — which includes the Eastern Shore and Hampton Roads areas — starting at 8 a.m. Tuesday. The state was already under a state of emergency.

Saturated soil, high winds and downed trees and power lines are going to be a big issue for the Commonwealth, along with a dangerous, life-threatening storm surge all the way up through the Virginia coast. National Hurricane Center Director Ken Graham warned of "staggering" amounts of rainfall approaching 10-15 inches of rain in many areas. Some could even see more than 15 inches of rain.

"Well away from the coast, central portions of Virginia and North Carolina you could be 100 miles away from the coast, several hundred miles from the center and you could still get those dangerous rains that get flash flooding."

(Stay on top of all the latest Hurricane Florence news with our free, real-time news alerts, find your local Patch here. If you have an iPhone, click here to get the free Patch iPhone app; download the free Patch Android app here. And like Patch on Facebook!)

SEE ALSO:

• Hurricane Florence: Emergency Kit, Insurance Info To Know In VA
• Old Town Alexandria Flooded As Hurricane Approaches: Reports
• Hurricane Florence: Loudoun County Offers Preparedness Tips
• Hurricane Florence: Fredericksburg Urges Preparedness

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#Florence rain forecasts Wed night to Monday night: Big amounts but big differences between models. Euro model shows disastrous 12-30"+ in SW Va. New American (FV3) model shows 5-10"+ up I95. Will need a couple more days to have more confidence. More: https://t.co/1PAGpFBRtn pic.twitter.com/WUsM9NMg2u
— Capital Weather Gang (@capitalweather) September 9, 2018

These graphics posted by the Washington Post's Capital Weather Gang indicate that once the storm does make landfall, it may head north straight for us and bring huge quantities of rain with it. The models show we could get around 3-6 inches of rain between Wednesday and Monday.

A Storm Surge Watch likely will be issued for Virginia as well as the Carolinas on Tuesday. NOAA predicts that freshwater flooding is likely from a "prolonged and exceptionally heavy rainfall event" which may extend for hundreds of miles.

Meanwhile, two other named storms are churning out in the Atlantic, although current tracks don't have them headed in our direction.

So keep an eye on the forecasts for Florence in the coming days, as the storm may have big impacts on our area.

Northam's order this weekend placing Virginia under a state of emergency will help prevent price gouging as drivers head inland from the coast, AAA Mid-Atlantic said. A storm like Florence typically causes an increase in fuel purchases in the market and a slowdown in retail demand. Drivers can expect spikes in pump prices to be brief, but possibly dramatic, according to AAA. Make sure your vehicle has a full tank of gas. Find the latest gas prices at GasPrices.AAA.com.

Hurricane Preparation Tips

• Get Prepared: Take action now to be prepared for hurricane season. As the storm approaches, it is often too late to get ready. Make sure you have family evacuation and communications plans, update your emergency supply kit, and evaluate your flood insurance needs.

• Complete a family communication plan. Plan how you will assemble your family and loved ones and anticipate where you will go for different situations. Get together with your family and agree on the ways to contact one another in an emergency and identify meeting locations.

• Create or restock your emergency kit. Being prepared means having your own food, water and other supplies to last for at least 72 hours. A disaster supplies kit is a collection of basic items your household may need in the event of an emergency, including an all weather radio.

• Check your insurance coverage. Most homeowner's insurance policies do not cover damage or losses from flooding. Review your policy, ensure you're adequately covered and understand exclusions, and contact your agent for any changes.
• Stay Informed. Know where to go for trusted sources of information during a hurricane event. Monitor local news resources for hurricane watches and warnings and follow directions of local officials.

• Determine Your Risk. Find out what types of wind and water hazards are likely in your area. Hurricanes are not just a coastal problem and their effects can reach hundreds of miles inland. Since the U.S. has not been hit by a major hurricane (category 3 or higher) in over a decade, "many people are suffering from hurricane amnesia in the forms of complacency, denial and inexperience."
• Develop an Evacuation Plan. Find out if you live in a storm surge hurricane evacuation zone or if your home is unfit to keep you safe in a hurricane. Speak with family and friends and work out a plan to use their home as an evacuation destination. Be sure to account for pets, since many shelters do not allow them.
• Assemble Disaster Supplies. Supplies are necessary not just for the storm itself, but for the often long and grueling aftermath. Stock up on non-perishable food, water and medicine to support your family for at least a week. Other recommended items are cash and battery-powered radios and flashlights. Since many of us use cell phones, have a solar-powered or hand-crank USB charger.
• Know Your Risk and Plan Ahead for an Evacuation:
• Know how to receive information including recommendations or orders to evacuate.
• If you plan to go to a shelter, notify staff of any special needs you or your family have.
• Do not return to the evacuation area until the evacuation order is lifted.

Be Informed

Here are basic commands to get started:

• Download the FEMA app. Receive weather alerts from the National Weather Service for up to five different locations anywhere in the United States. To search for open shelters (for disaster survivors): text SHELTER and to 43362 (4FEMA).

Make A Social Media Plan

• Use text messages, social media and email to connect with friends and family during emergencies.
  • Mobile networks can become overwhelmed during emergencies, making it difficult to place and receive phone calls. Text messages require less bandwidth, which means they are able to be transmitted more reliably.
  • Social media channels such as Facebook and Twitter can also be an effective way to update family and friends during emergencies.

• Register with American Red Cross's Safe & Well site to let family and friends know you're okay.
• Have an emergency charging option for your phone and other mobile devices. Smartphones have become a vital tool to receive emergency alerts and warnings,, so it's important to make sure you can keep them powered up in an emergency.
• At home: Before severe weather, charge all of your electronic devices. If the power goes out, preserve battery power by minimizing device use. Keep a back-up power source on hand to recharge your phone so that you can stay connected even during an extended power outage.
• In your car: Keep a portable phone charger in your vehicle at all times, and consider purchasing a back-up power supply to keep in your vehicle as well.

• Change the settings on your phone to low power mode or place it on airplane mode to conserve energy.
• Store important documents in a secure, password-protected jump drive or in the cloud.
  • Capture electronic versions of important documents such as insurance policies, identification documents, and medical records. Don't forget to include your pet's information.
  • Back-up your computer to protect photos and other personally important electronic documents.
  • Scan old photos to protect them from loss.
  • Keep your contacts updated and synced across all of your channels, including phone, email and social media. This will make it easy to reach out to the right people quickly to get information and supply updates. Consider creating a group listserv of your top contacts.
  • Create a group chat via a texting app or a thread for family/friends/coworkers to communicate quickly during a disaster.

Sign up for Direct Deposit and electronic banking
through your financial institution so you can access your payroll funds
and make electronic payments wherever you are. Federal benefit
recipients can sign up by calling (800) 333-1795 or at GoDirect.org.

Additional information can be found on the Virginia Department of Health website.

Residents readying for a storm can get tips and advice on the federal government's Ready.gov website. To keep up with potential storms during hurricane season, bookmark the National Hurricane Center's website.

For local weather and severe weather alerts, visit the National Weather Service online.

Includes reporting by Patch editors Paul Scicchitano and Adam Nichols.

SAN JUAN, PUERTO RICO - SEPTEMBER 19, 1989: Hurricane Hugo slams into the eastern coast September 19, 1989 in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Wind gusts of 140 mph and heavy rains ripped through the U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico, before striking land again in South Carolina on September 22. (Photo by Gary Williams/Getty Images)