A powerful nor’easter is driving Coastal Flood Warnings across Delaware, Virginia and Maryland, with forecasters warning that flooding could turn severe enough to cause structural damage in parts of the region through the weekend.
The National Weather Service offices in Wakefield, Virginia, and Mount Holly, New Jersey, have issued a string of warnings covering the Chesapeake Bay, the Atlantic beaches and the offshore waters. Tides are expected to run 2 to 3 feet above normal through repeated high tide cycles.
Virginia: Northern Neck to Hampton Roads
In Virginia, the warning stretches from the Northern Neck down through Hampton Roads. Westmoreland, Richmond, Northumberland, Lancaster, Middlesex, Mathews and both Essex County zones are expected to see 2 to 3 feet of tidal flooding until 5 a.m. Sunday.
Virginia Beach is under the same warning, with high surf and beach hazards layered on top of the flooding threat. Chesapeake, Hampton, Poquoson, Suffolk, Norfolk and Portsmouth are all forecast to see 2 to 3 feet of flooding as well.
Farther up the James River, Prince George, Charles City, Surry, James City, Newport News and Isle of Wight counties are included in the warning. New Kent, Gloucester, King William, King and Queen, and York counties round out the Virginia coverage, also at 2 to 3 feet.
NWS Wakefield described the ongoing impact in stark terms.
Maryland: Eastern Shore and Ocean City
Maryland’s Eastern Shore is also under warning. The Maryland Beaches, along with Accomack and Northampton counties, are forecast for 2 to 3 feet of flooding plus high surf of 8 to 12 feet until 3 a.m. Sunday.
Dorchester, Wicomico and Somerset counties face up to 2 feet of flooding. Inland Worcester County is forecast for 1 to 2 feet.
Forecasters also added a Wind Advisory for the Maryland coast as the storm strengthens offshore.
Delaware: Warning of Possible Structural Damage
Delaware carries the most serious language of the three states. NWS Mount Holly warns that flooding in Kent and inland Sussex counties may become severe enough to cause structural damage, with some locations at risk of being isolated by rising water. Flooding there is forecast at 2 to 3 feet.
The Delaware Beaches share the 2 to 3 foot flood forecast, with high surf building to 11 feet and a high risk of dangerous rip currents in the surf zone.
Mount Holly forecasters say the coastal flooding should peak with the Saturday tide cycles before easing.
Storm Warning at Sea
Offshore, the same storm has triggered Storm Warnings across the coastal waters. NWS Wakefield’s marine zones off Delaware and Virginia are forecasting winds to 50-55 knots and seas building to 11 to 21 feet.
Farther north, NWS Mount Holly’s offshore waters off New Jersey and Delaware are under warning for winds to 60 knots and seas of 17 to 22 feet.
The Ocean Prediction Center has also issued a Storm Warning from the Baltimore Canyon to Cape Charles, with seas forecast to reach 18 to 23 feet. Mariners are urged to remain in port until the system moves offshore.
Safety Reminders
Residents in flood-prone areas are urged to avoid driving through flooded roads. Officials say saltwater is highly corrosive to vehicles, and moving water can hide washed-out pavement.
Beachgoers should stay out of the surf given the dangerous rip current risk, and coastal residents should secure loose outdoor items ahead of the strong winds.
