NORFOLK, Va. — As many prepared for Hurricane Helene in parts of Florida Thursday evening, several people flying to Norfolk had to pack their patience as high winds and rain delayed many flights.
"I'm traveling from St. Pete, so Tampa, Florida, but I had to move my flight to Orlando," said Arianna Ramrajie, who traveled from Florida to Norfolk for the weekend.
Ramrajie experienced several flight delays during her trip. She said her flight was delayed twice in Florida and once in Atlanta.
"Stressful, frustrating," said Ramrajie.
Other travelers, like Virginia Beach resident Xavier Lay, said he drove from Atlanta, Georgia, to Charleston, South Carolina, to avoid flight delays and then took a flight from Charleston, South Carolina, to Norfolk.
"I'm coming originally from Atlanta, and then we traveled to Charleston and flew into Norfolk," said Ramrajie.
Meanwhile, Mercy Chefs traveled from Virginia to serve meals to those impacted by the storm. On Tuesday, dozens of Virginia Task Force Two members were in Florida, ready to help where needed. Then, on Thursday, more members of Task Force Two left for Southwest Florida.
According to Governor Glenn Youngkin's office, part of the state is expected to receive high rainfall and flooding from Friday to Saturday.
"We're currently being deployed to Hillsville, VA, in Carroll County, so we'll meet there this afternoon and then wait for orders," said Virginia Beach Fire Department Battalion Chief Michael Carter.
Meanwhile, those who flew on Thursday are just happy they made it to their destination.
"A lot of travel gets like disrupted by the storms, and I've seen it time and time again on literal smaller storms, so I'm surprised that I'm even here," said Ramrajie.
Friday afternoon has been designated a Weather Alert Day by 13News Now meteorologists. A period of showers and isolated heavier tropical downpours are anticipated Friday afternoon across northeast North Carolina and southeast Virginia, as Hurricane Helene's center is set to pass by hundreds of miles to our southwest and west.
Virginia State Police said troopers are pre-positioning swift water rescue teams, drones, and aviation resources to those areas most likely impacted by the storm. They ask residents to postpone travel plans or avoid driving if possible.
To prevent unnecessary traffic crashes from occurring on Virginia’s highways during Helene, state police advise residents to postpone travel plans and avoid driving, when possible.
VDOT asks drivers to use extreme caution when driving:
- Obey all “road closed” signage.
- If traveling, remember, headlights should always be on when wipers are on.
- If traffic signals are out, drivers should treat intersections as four-way stops or follow local law enforcement’s direction.
- “Turn around, don’t drown” — Do not attempt to travel through flooded roadways. Be alert to debris, downed trees, and power lines.
- Move over for emergency crews operating in or near roadways.
- Be alert to High Wind Advisories, especially on bridges or taller structures. High-profile vehicles such as tractor-trailers, SUVs, or box trucks are especially vulnerable and should not cross a bridge when a High Wind Advisory is posted.