VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. — As Virginia Beach Police continue to investigate what happened over the weekend when a vehicle drove off the end of the Virginia Beach Fishing Pier, recovery efforts have been hampered by what has been described by Virginia Beach Police Department spokesperson Jude Brenya as “adverse water conditions.”
The departing low pressure system that brought us some rain overnight, combined with a developing ridge of high pressure to our west, has increased the winds along the coast, creating rough surf and waves along the Virginia Beach Oceanfront.
This creates a dangerous situation for divers who must enter the water to secure the vehicle. With the sloshing waves near the car and the pier pilings, divers would be at an increased risk of injury.
Gusty winds prompted the National Weather Service (NWS) to issue a Small Craft Advisory Sunday evening and the winds will continue through at least Tuesday. A Small Craft Advisory is issued when winds of 18 to 33 knots (21 to 38 mph) are expected.
A Small Craft Advisory will remain in effect through late Tuesday night for the coastal waters from Cape Charles to the Virginia/North Carolina state line, meaning conditions will remain hazardous for at least another day.
The coastal waters forecast for the rest of the day calls for northwest winds of 20 to 25 knots, with gusts to 35 knots. In addition to the wind, rough surf and near-shore waves of 5 to 6 feet are expected. These conditions will continue into Tuesday with some lessening of the wind by afternoon.
But another storm system is expected Wednesday, bringing more wind, rain, and rough seas to the area.