Tropical Storm Hanna - 2008

Emergency/Disaster Mini-Sites

2008: Tropical Storm Hanna

Tropical Storm Hanna - Latest News

09.08.08, 4:15 p.m.

09.07.08, 12:10 p.m.

09.06.08, 9:30 p.m.

09.06.08, 4:26 p.m.

  • The VDOT Hampton Roads District will close the Transportation Emergency Operations Center at 5:00 p.m. today, Saturday, Sept. 6.
  • VDOT continues to monitor conditions and is prepared to respond to any post storm situation. Motorists may encounter downed trees, power lines and standing water. Do not drive over a flooded road; its depth is not obvious and the roadbed may have washed out.
  • Motorists are encouraged to use caution and monitor travel conditions. For up-to-date traffic and travel information, visit http://www.511virginia.org/ or call 511.

09.06.08, 3:43 p.m.

  • Situation Report #4 is available for download. [36kb PDF]
  • The following local emergency operations centers have closed: Chesterfield County, Chincoteague, City of Danville, City of Emporia, Henrico County, Isle of Wight County (effective 4:00 p.m.), James City County, King William County, Lancaster County, City of Newport News, City of Norfolk (effective 6:00 p.m.), Northumberland County, Southampton County and Westmoreland County.

09.06.08, 3:02 p.m.

  • The City of Chesapeake has deactivated its Emergency Operations Center as of 3:00 p.m. today. The shelter that was opened at Oscar Smith High School also closed at 3:00 p.m.

09.06.08, 2:35 p.m.

  • The James City County Emergency Operations Center closed at 2:00 p.m.
  • Residents without power should contact Dominion Virginia Power at 1-888-667-3000.

09.06.08, 1:15 p.m.

  • The James City County Emergency Shelter located at the James City/Williamsburg Community Center on 5301 Longhill Road is now closed.

09.06.08, 12:20 p.m.

09.06.08, 11:40 a.m.

  • Approximately 100 people are currently sheltered in local emergency shelters. This number is fluctuating as the situation develops.

09.06.08, 10:25 a.m.

09.06.08, 9:05 a.m.

  • VDOT news release: VDOT Monitors Hanna [opens in a new browser window]
  • All tunnels and bridges in the Hampton Roads region are operating normally at this time.
  • As Tropical Storm Hanna moves through the commonwealth, motorists may encounter downed trees and power lines and standing water.
  • VDOT has placed crews on standby to close roadways that flood and repair flood-related damage. Crews have spent the last several days ensuring that equipment is prepared and cleaning ditches and drainage structures to handle the heavy rains.

09.06.08, 8:40 a.m.

  • Boating operations are suspended at Little Creek Reservoir and Chickahominy Riverfront Park.

09.06.08, 7:30 a.m.

  • Spot Report #1 is available for download. [74kb PDF]
  • Tropical Storm Hanna made landfall as a strong tropical storm around 3:00 a.m. in vicinity of Myrtle Beach South Carolina. Conditions across Virginia will continue to deteriorate, with the heaviest rain and strongest winds occurring between 4:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.
  • There is a moderate tornado threat, mainly north and east of the track, through Saturday afternoon. Potential storm surge estimates of 1 to 3 feet of surge along coastal Virginia.
  • Coastal Virginia, Chesapeake Bay and many inland localities are under a Tropical Storm Warning. Winds 30-40 mph with higher gusts expected along the east side of the storm track
  • Rainfall: Coastal areas/east side of track – 1 to 3 inches; Inland areas/west side of track (west of I-95) 4 to 6 inches
  • The Port of Hampton Roads and the Port of Richmond have been closed, effective 7:00 a.m., until gale force winds (39 to 57 mph) have subsided.
  • 23 localities have declared state of emergency: Caroline County, Chesapeake City, Chesterfield County, Franklin City, Gloucester County, Hampton City, Henrico County, Isle of Wight County, James City County, Lancaster County, Middlesex County, Newport News City, Northampton County, Northumberland county, Portsmouth City, Prince George County, Richmond City, Richmond County, Southampton County, Suffolk City, Virginia Beach City, Westmoreland County and York County.
  • Local emergency shelters:
    • City of Chesapeake
      Oscar Smith High School
      1994 Tiger Drive
    • City of Hampton
      Bethel High School
      1067 Big Bethel Road
    • City of Porstmouth
      900 Elm Ave.
    • City of Virginia Beach
      Birdneck Elementary School
    • Isle of Wight County
      Windsor High School
      24 Church Street
      Windsor, VA
    • Middlesex County: 2 shelters
      823 Philpot Road, Locust Hill
      170 Oakes Landing Road, Saluda
    • Mathews County
      Thomas Hunter Middle School
    • Southampton County
      Southampton County High School
      23350 Southampton Parkway
      Courtland, VA
    • Lancaster County
      Lancaster Middle School
      191 School Street
      Kilmarnock, VA
    • James City County
      James City/Williamsburg Community Center
      5301 Longhill Road
  • All weekend activities at Richmond International Raceway have been postponed until Sunday.

09.05.08, 5:15 p.m.

  • Situation Report #3 is available for download. [63kb PDF]
  • Local Emegencies Declared:
    • Northumberland County
    • Gloucester County
    • James City County
    • Hampton City
    • Westmoreland County
    • Lancaster County
    • Chesterfield County
    • Isle of Wight County
    • Southampton County
    • Franklin County
    • York County

09.05.08, 1:37 p.m.

Shelters opening in James City County and City of Chesapeake:

James City County

  • James City County will open a shelter at 8:00 p.m. today at the James City/Williamsburg Community Center located at 5301 Longhill Road. For additional shelter information, call 259-3100. After 5 p.m. call 564-2140.
  • If you choose to go to the shelter, you should bring:
    -- Pillows, blankets, sleeping bags or air mattresses
    -- Extra clothing, shoes, eyeglasses, etc.
    -- Folding chairs, lawn chairs or cots
    -- Personal hygiene supplies
    -- Flashlights and batteries
    -- Quiet games, books and favorite toys
    -- Important papers
    -- Prescription medications
  • Do not bring:
    -- Alcohol
    -- Weapons
    -- Pets
  • Only service animals are permitted in public shelters.
  • If you decide to leave your home, arrange for your pet to be boarded or sheltered in a safe location. Consider using a neighbor, friend, relative, boarding kennel or veterinarian. Take your pet’s food, litter, veterinarian records, medications, identification, and familiar blankets and toys.

City of Chesapeake

  • City of Chesapeake will open a shelter at 7:00 p.m. today at Oscar Smith High School, 1994 Tiger Drive, for residents desiring to leave their homes during the storm.
  • Those coming to the shelter need to bring food, water, medical supplies and comfort/bedding items for each person. Pets are NOT permitted in shelters.

09.05.08, 1:00 p.m.

  • Due to potential wind damage and flooding associated with Tropical Storm Hanna, the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation is closing campgrounds or cabins Friday and Saturday in seven Virginia State Parks.The scheduled Friday and Saturday closings are a follows:
    • First Landing (Virginia Beach) - Campgrounds and cabins
    • False Cape (Virginia Beach) - Campgrounds and overnight environmental center
    • Kiptopeke (Northampton Co.) - Campgrounds and lodges
    • Chippokes Plantation (Surry Co.) - Campgrounds
    • Belle Isle (Lancaster Co.) - Campgrounds
    • Westmoreland (Westmoreland Co.) - Campgrounds
    • Shenandoah River (Warren Co.) - Campgrounds
  • Staff from the Virginia State Parks reservation center has been contacting reservation holders to alert them to the closings. Those with questions about their planned overnight visit to a Virginia State Park should call 1-800-933-PARK (7275). Those planning to visit a Virginia State Park later this weekend after the storm has passed through their area should call the park to see that it has not suffered damage and remains open.

09.05.08, 12:20 p.m.

  • The current forecast calls for the storm to enter Virginia as a tropical storm early Saturday morning and to stay a tropical storm as it leaves Virginia later in the day.
  • The National Weather Service is expecting periods of torrential rain between Saturday morning through Saturday afternoon, causing a westward expansion of the flash flood watch to include the I-81 corridor, with an expected total of 4 to 8 inches.
  • NWS is calling for 3 to 5 inches of rain between the I-95 corridor and the coast with winds 25 to 35 mph, gusting to 50 mph.
  • Currently, we are monitoring the storm, conducting daily conference calls with Virginia localities, the National Weather Service, Dominion Power, the Virginia National Guard, other state agencies and our federal partners, including FEMA.
  • At this time, VDOT has no plans to close any bridges or tunnels. They are monitoring the situation and will take any necessary precautions.
  • The Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel will decide tomorrow whether to close the facility.
  • Virginia State Police has swift water rescue teams on standby, ready to deploy as needed. All of their uniformed personnel are on standby.
  • Dominion is putting people in place tonight to be ready to restore power tomorrow.
  • Department of Conservation and Recreation has closed several facilities and state parks east of I-95.
  • Department of Game and Inland Fisheries has officers with boats to assist localities if needed.
  • Virginia National Guard is mobilizing. Ft. Pickett and aviation forces are standing by.
  • The Virginia Marine Resources Commission has uniformed officers on standby to assist localities.

09.05.08, 9:37 a.m.

09.05.08, 7:00 a.m.

09.04.08, 3:40 p.m.

09.04.08, 3:30 p.m.

09.04.08, 3:10 p.m.

09.04.08, 2:20 p.m.

09.04.08, 10:10 a.m.

09.03.08, 3:00 p.m.