NORFOLK, Va. — As Hampton Roads feels the impacts of Tropical Storm Idalia on Thursday, tidal flooding is popping up in several places.
The National Weather Service (NWS) issued a Coastal Flood Warning for Norfolk, Portsmouth, Newport News, Hampton, Suffolk, Chesapeake, Surry County, Isle of Wight County and Poquoson County until 2 a.m. Saturday. Virginia Beach is also under a warning until 2 p.m. Friday.
During this time, up to two feet of inundation above ground level is expected in low-lying areas near shorelines and tidal waterways, according to NWS. Much of the flooding stems from sustained northeast winds of 20 to 30 miles per hour.
RELATED: Idalia updates: Storm path, weather conditions, school closures in North Carolina, Coastal Virginia
Flooded streets and stalled cars are familiar sights for Paul Bagley, who lives near the Hague in Norfolk.
"This morning I actually had to help one lady, and push her car out of the water," he said.
Norfolk opens free parking spaces due to tidal flooding
Due to the flooding, the City of Norfolk has opened two free parking facilities beginning at 2 p.m. Thursday.
The parking spots are the York Street Garage at 215 West York Street, and the Brambleton Lot at 494 St Paul's Boulevard. They will be open until Saturday at noon.
Norfolk offers flood routes on Waze
The Waze app gives real-time flooding updates on flooded streets in Norfolk by providing pop-up icons and audio alerts to warn of flooded streets along routes.
Several Chesapeake roads closed due to tidal flooding
In Chesapeake, several roads are closed due to high water levels:
- Bainbridge Boulevard at Portlock Road
- Bainbridge Boulevard at Freeman Avenue
- Bainbridge Boulevard at Portlock Road
- Mapleshore Drive at Fernwood Farms Road
High water levels have also been reported on the following roads:
- Deepwater Drive at Bells Mill Road
- Sunlight Drive at Deepwater Drive
- 5100 block Bainbridge Boulevard
- The area of Fernwood Farms Road
- 2116 Indian Creek Drive
