HAMPTON ROADS, Va. (WAVY) — Even with a few lingering showers, Wednesday looked a lot different in Virginia Beach and across the region than it did a day earlier, when heavy rainfall moved through and brought with it tidal flooding, strong winds and power outages affecting more than 60,000 Dominion Energy customers.
Some compared the flooding to that of Hurricane Matthew in 2016 as repairs and clean-up activities took place across the city. The highest rain totals came in Virginia Beach, where more than 11 inches fell in the Great Neck area, and more than eight inches fell in the Nimmo area. Other areas across the region got four-to-six-inches or more of rain.
Along Sea Shell Road along Shore Drive in Virginia Beach, there was still standing water, and city public works crews were working all day to try and pump the water out. It’s something that couldn’t be done fast enough Tuesday. Cleanup activities continued in hard-hit areas across the city.
Rob Reich has lived along Lynnhaven Drive for six years, and said it has been a long time since he’s seen the water rise as high as it did.
“These roads were pretty much shut down,” Reich said.
While some lost land to water, more than 69,000 Dominion Energy customers lost power.
“With all of that rain, and you get some of that heavier wind that came onshore with this front, the trees just sometimes fall even when you don’t expect them to,” said Lauren Doughtie, shift manager with Dominion Energy.
Doughtie said keeping linemen safe in the weather while also trying to restore power is a balancing act.
“It became evident as everybody was getting to the correct locations from all over that area, from working all day, that we were going to have to, for the safety of the public as well as the safety of our crews, some crews were going to go out.”
Doughtie said patience is the name of the game.
Reich, meanwhile, was happy his house stayed dry knowing others weren’t so lucky.
The city has been working to improve drainage in this area. In the case of Reich’s home, they are supposed to elevate Lynnhaven Drive and build a new pump station. However, finding crews to do the work has been something the city has been struggling with.
Rain pours down on parts of Virginia Beach
More than seven inches of rain fell in the Oceana area of Virginia Beach, and several inches of rain fell in other parts of the region. It prompted Virginia Beach public schools and offices to operate on a two-hour delay Wednesday.
The high tide cycle Tuesday evening was higher than typical, according to the Super Doppler 10 weather team, which led to flooding, especially with the amount of rain that fell.
WAVY viewers across the region added to the coverage of the storm through their videos and photos of the flooding.
Moderate tidal flooding came just before 6 p.m. for most of the Southside. There was major tidal flooding around the Virginia Beach Lynnhaven River in Virginia Beach and some minor flooding in Smithfield, according to chief meteorologist Jeff Edmondson.
Wind gusts peaked at nearly 60 mph in some parts of the region Tuesday, including a 59 mph wind gust in the Red Mill area of Virginia Beach and 55 mph in Duck on the Outer Banks.
Tens of thousands lost power
Dominion Energy reported power outages across the region Tuesday, concentrated in Norfolk during the morning, and later in the day, nearly 30,000 customers were without power at one point in southeastern Virginia, with nearly 26,000 of those in Virginia Beach. Overall, there were more than 60,000 customers without power at some point.
As of 8:30 p.m., more than 20,000 Dominion customers in Virginia Beach were still without power, and at midnight Wednesday, more than 15,000 in Virginia Beach remained without power (Click here to view the latest Dominion Energy outage map or to report an outage).
How the weather impacted different areas in the region
Below is a look at how the weather impacted various parts of the WAVY viewing area. 10 On Your Side updated this information throughout Tuesday evening as more details emerged.
Virginia Beach
In the Windsor Woods area of Virginia Beach, WAVY’s Brett Hall and Cheyenne Pagan reported on the flooding that hit that area Tuesday.
On South Boulevard, there were a couple of cars that were stranded. The drivers said they tried to get through the water unsuccessfully. One driver said they had been moving fine until another car crossed its path and created a wake.
Much of the region’s power outages were concentrated in the city, as more than 25,000 Dominion customers were without power. That total was down to about 17,000 customers in the city without power as of 8:45 p.m.
In the Windsor Woods area following Tropical Storm Matthew in 2016, the city began the Windsor Woods tide gate project, part of a bond referendum that passed in 2021. While the tide gate is complete, the pump station is not, and there are temporary pumps. 10 On Your Side was told Tuesday the pumps could not keep up with the amount of rain falling — more than five inches in this part of the city.
Initially, the tide gate was closed, according to city Public Works Director L.J. Hansen, but the city opened it back up because they said it would be better off for them to have water try to exit through Thalia Creek, even though the tidal flooding would be pushing some of that in.
A number of tow trucks were in the area towing cars out of the flooded areas.
Residents said the flooding in this area was unsettling and hoped for a quick end to the rain, and an end to the water’s rise. Over a couple of hours Tuesday afternoon, the water continued to rise in the Windsor Woods area.
WAVY’s Aesia Toliver saw flooding, and a downed tree, in the Town Center area of the city.
Naval Air Station Oceana issued a traffic alert Tuesday morning stating First Colonial Road and Oceana Boulevard near Virginia Beach Boulevard had flooded and was closed in both directions. NAS Oceana’s Back Gate (Post 2) remained open to accommodate detours. The city of Virginia Beach provided an update just before 5 p.m. that a detour of Oceana Boulevard was in place and that traffic was being rerouted via Virginia Beach Boulevard, Birdneck Road and Bells Road.
Virginia Beach Public Schools canceled all after-school activities and events Tuesday due to the inclement weather. Parks & Recreation after-school childcare programs continued as scheduled.
The Bow Creek Recreation Center announced Tuesday afternoon that it would be closed for the rest of the day because of flooding.
Norfolk
The Monticello Avenue underpass closed because of high water. Motorists were advised to use Granby Street or Colley Avenue as alternate routes.
Video of flooding in the area of New Hampshire Avenue and Mayflower Road around 6:45 p.m. Monday, Sept. 15 (WAVY video – Jane Alvarez-Wertz)
WAVY’s Markeshia Jackson reported on the tidal flooding in the Hague area of the city, noting the water’s rise over several hours Tuesday afternoon.
Norfolk officials opened up the York Street Garage, located at 215 W. York St., allowing residents in flood-prone areas to park for free from 3 p.m. Monday through 10 a.m. Wednesday. Residents were encouraged to move vehicles from low-lying areas before high tide.
This is what the area around the Chrysler Museum in Norfolk looked like Monday.
Flooding in Norfolk near the Chrysler Museum. Sept. 15, 2025. (Photo courtesy: Celeste Meely) 
Flooding in Norfolk near the Chrysler Museum. Sept. 15, 2025. (Photo courtesy: Celeste Meely) 
Flooding in Norfolk near the Chrysler Museum. Sept. 15, 2025. (Photo courtesy: Celeste Meely) 
Flooding in Norfolk near the Chrysler Museum. Sept. 15, 2025. (Photo courtesy: Celeste Meely) 
Flooding in Norfolk near the Chrysler Museum. Sept. 15, 2025. (Photo courtesy: Celeste Meely) 
Flooding in Norfolk near the Chrysler Museum. Sept. 15, 2025. (Photo courtesy: Celeste Meely) 
Flooding in Norfolk at the intersection of Mayflower Road and New Hampshire Avenue around 6:45 p.m. Monday, Sept. 15. (WAVY photo – Jane Alvarez-Wertz) 
Flooding in Norfolk at the intersection of Mayflower Road and New Hampshire Avenue around 6:45 p.m. Monday, Sept. 15. (WAVY photo – Jane Alvarez-Wertz) 
Flooding in Norfolk at the intersection of Mayflower Road and Newport Avenue around 6:45 p.m. Monday, Sept. 15. (WAVY photo – Jane Alvarez-Wertz)
Norfolk Public Schools informed families Tuesday that all after-school programs and after-care were canceled. The Sept. 16 Norfolk Tides game was also postponed and will be made up as part of a single-admission doubleheader Wednesday. The first game will start at 5:05 p.m. The doubleheader will feature two seven-inning games.
Portsmouth
Due to inclement weather and anticipated flooding Tuesday evening, Portsmouth Public Schools canceled all after-school events and activities .
A tree fell and took power lines down with it, in the 4200 block of Twin Pines Rd. in Portsmouth. A WAVY photographer took this photo of the scene.
Because of the weather, ROC the Block Westhaven, originally scheduled for Wednesday, was postponed to Oct. 1.
Chesapeake
All after-school and evening activities for Sept. 16 at Chesapeake Public Schools were canceled. YMCA child care and the Boys and Girls Club operated on their normal schedule.
North Carolina
WAVY’s Nick Broadway noted the rain had mostly stopped Tuesday afternoon in Dare County, on the Outer Banks, but the winds had picked up strength and the rip currents on the Atlantic Ocean were strong, also.
The Nags Head Fishing Pier had closed early due to the storm.
Further down NC12, crews were cleaning up ocean overwash and repairing the dunes. The Basnight Bridge was able to reopen after a mobile home nearly blew off a semi-trailer Monday. Ferry service between Hatteras Island and Ocracoke Island was able to resume Tuesday morning.
Cape Hatteras National Seashore urged visitors to avoid walking on the beach at the north ends of Rodanthe and Buxton, where damaged structures may pose a threat due to the potential for partial or full house collapses.
And indeed, a Buxton home was a casualty of the storm.
Over by Jennette’s Pier, the conditions delayed the start of the Eastern Surfing Association’s Eastern’championship for the second-straight day. With the surf whipping up, young contestents were surfing for fun.
“I was just thinking, like, don’t get hurt, and don’t go on stupid waves,” said Wilds Gallo of Long Beach, New York, “because I don’t want to get hurt for the contest. Just trying to play it safe today, because I don’t want to wreck up my board or hurt myself.”
The National Weather Service had expected the low-pressure system moving in to produce ocean and soundside coastal flooding, strong wind gusts, heavy rain, minor flooding and dangerous surf conditions.
The North Carolina Department of Transportation closed part of NC12 on the north end of Ocracoke Island Monday afternoon between the ferry terminal and the National Park Service pony pens because of overwash.
Tuesday morning, NCDOT reopened the north end of Ocracoke Island at 9:30 a.m. but advised drivers to use caution, as there would be areas of sand and water on the road.
The Seashore also urged its visitors to avoid swimming until conditions improve. To view the daily beach conditions forecast, visit the Love The Beach, Respect The Ocean website.
The low pressure system should weaken Wednesday, but will still bring some scattered showers.
Dare County Schools operated under a remote learning day Tuesday.
Accomack County
More than 2,000 A&N Electric Cooperative customers in Chincoteague were without power Tuesday evening due to the storm.
Accomack County Public Schools dismissed schools early Tuesday because of the coastal flood and wind advisories. All students were released one hour early and all after-school activities were canceled.
The Accomack County school board meeting was rescheduled to Tuesday, Sept. 23. It will still be held at Metompkin Elementary School and begin at 6:30 p.m.
Gloucester County
Because of heavy rainfall and new river-gauge data, Gloucester County Schools decided to adjust dismissal times Tuesday and cautioned that bus routes could be altered or delayed. It advised walkers and parents picking up their kids to avoid flood-prone routes.
Some of the places that experienced flooding in Gloucester County included Severn’s Ward, Almondsville, Guinea Circle, Maundy’s Creek, Maryus Road, Perrins Creek, Glass Road, Horse Point Road, Jenkins Neck and Carmines Island Road. There were roads in the county that were already under water an hour before high tide, according to Gloucester County Public Schools.
Hampton
All Hampton Public Schools after-school and evening activities were canceled Tuesday, including Back-To-School Nights, athletics and the city of Hampton’s after-school care.
Newport News
Newport News Public Schools announced all after-school activities, events, and athletic practices and competitions were canceled for Tuesday.
York County
All York County Public Schools followed an early release schedule Tuesday. The school system released a statement saying, “This decision is made out of an abundance of caution after consulting with local agencies based on the most recent forecasts indicating the potential for flooding when buses will still be on the road this afternoon. As a result of the early dismissal, all after-school activities – including athletics – are also canceled.”
York County opened the parking lots at the McReynolds Athletic Complex (412 Sports Way) and Chisman Creek Park (1314 Wolf Trap Road) to help residents get their vehicles off flood-prone streets during high tide. Residents using these lots must remove their vehicles by 8 p.m. Wednesday, according to county officials, and parking of vehicles at county schools is not permitted. Residents who own watercraft are reminded to secure their boats.
Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel
Wind advisories were issued both Monday and Tuesday at the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel. Check the CBBT X feed at this link for updates. If the winds are too strong, the CBBT will implement Level 1, 2 or 3 wind restrictions. What each one means is detailed on their website.
Tidewater Community College
TCC closed its campuses at 4 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 16 because of the weather and instructed students to check CANVAS for updates from their instructors.
Stick with WAVY on-air and online for the latest forecast.
