PORTSMOUTH, Va. (WAVY) — Storm reports after Wednesday’s severe weather involved downed trees, power lines and outages in some areas.

The potential for a big storm Wednesday sparked enough local concern that some schools released early.

It wasn’t the rain that is expected to cause problems, but rather high winds. The weather was predicted to hit Hampton Roads around 2 p.m.

Power outages

By noon Wednesday, Dominion Energy was already reporting several thousand power outages in the Hampton Roads region, mostly in Gloucester.

As of about 5 p.m., there were more than 10,000 reported outages in the region, with most of them in James City, York and Gloucester counties, as well as Virginia Beach.

Some parts of the storm could produce damaging winds and possibly tornadoes.

Impacts across Hampton Roads

There are preliminary reports of a tree down on both Jefferson Avenue and Omni Boulevard in Newport News, as well as tree damage and a snapped flagpole near Hampton Highway in York County.

WAVY also received photos of wind damage in Williamsburg, with a power line down.

Above: A tree and power line fell in Williamsburg Wednesday as storms blew through the region. (WAVY viewer photo – Jenna Alva)

In Smithfield, there was a report of a tree snapped along Foursquare Road.

In northeastern North Carolina, powerlines were reported down throughout Perquimans County, and powerlines are down in Gates County.

Viewers have also sent us photos of flooding in Suffolk, and a trampoline in a pool in Norfolk as the region has seen wind gusts upwards of 40 mph to 50 mph.

WAVY viewer Josh Mathews sent us photos of damage in Mathews County on the Middle Peninsula.

Another WAVY viewer in the Cobbs Creek area of Mathews County also reported damage from the storm.

Due to the strong winds in the area, a tornado watch is in effect until March 5 at 8 p.m. for the following counties and cities: Bertie, Camden, Chowan, Currituck, Gates, Hertford, Northampton, Pasquotank, Perquimans, Chesapeake, Emporia, Franklin, Hampton, Newport News, Norfolk, Poquoson, Portsmouth, Suffolk, Virginia Beach, Williamsburg, Greensville, Isle of Wight, James City, Southampton, Surry, Sussex and York.

School closings and cancellations

North Carolina

Several schools in North Carolina are planning on early releases including in Currituck, Edenton, Elizabeth City-Pasquotank, Gates County and more.

NCDOT’s ferry service will also be running on a limited schedule due to the weather conditions. For more information on the schedule, call 252-996-6000.

Accomack

All Accomack County Public Schools closed at 12:30 p.m. Wednesday due to the severe weather.

Chesapeake

Chesapeake Public Schools has canceled all after-school and evening activities.

Hampton

Hampton City Schools announced all after-school and evening activities, athletic practices, and competitions are canceled Wednesday. The afternoon high school eLearning and GED programs at the Adult and Alternative Learning Center will transition to remote learning. The City of Hampton’s School-Aged Programs are also canceling all after-school care and programs Wednesday.

Franklin

All after school activities for Franklin City Public Schools has been canceled for Wednesday. Franklin High School will close at 1 p.m. and S.P. Morton Elementary School will close at 2 p.m.

Norfolk

The city of Norfolk urged residents to exercise caution and prepare. In order to ensure trash and waste collection goes smoothly, residents are asked to bag all trash before placing it in the bin. This is especially important for small, lightweight items such as Styrofoam packing peanuts, according to the city. Norfolk Public Schools canceled all after-school activities for Wednesday. After-school care will continue.

Tidewater Community College closed at 3 p.m. Wednesday. Virtual learning will continue as scheduled.

Portsmouth

Portsmouth Catholic Regional School closed at 3 p.m. Wednesday. There will be no afterschool activities or extended care.

Suffolk

All afterschool activities were canceled for Suffolk Public Schools Wednesday.

Virginia Beach

Beyond the Bell at St. Gregory the Great School is canceled for Wednesday. All afterschool activities and afterschool care will also be canceled for St. Matthew’s School.