Hurricane Irene Intensifying Has Its Sights on Virginia
August 23, 2011
Hurricane Irene is picking up power as it churns its way East of the Dominican Republic on a west-northwesterly path. Irene is now a Category 2 hurricane but it is expected to become a larger, more powerful Category 3 storm with winds over 110 miles per hour by Wednesday. The news gets worse: Irene is expected to grow into a massive Category 4 storm as it nears the southeastern coast of the United States by Friday.
Irene is the first hurricane of the 2011 Atlantic hurricane season and it is looking as though it is going to be the first hurricane to hit the US since Ike thrashed the Texas coastline in 2008. Residents in Virginia are being told to keep an eye on developing weather reports concerning Irene. Depending on which way the storm moves once it zeroes in on the US, the central portion of Virginia could see heavy rainfall as the storm moves its way up the eastern coastline later Saturday and on through Sunday. The eastern portion of Virginia could receive the worst amount of damage with storm surges and flooding from heavy rains. Properties from Norfolk to DC could be impacted by the pending storm system.
The National Hurricane Center has said that the longer Irene remains over the Gulf Stream, the stronger and more perilous it will become. The area of Virginia near the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay is the portion of Virginia which is the most susceptible to hurricanes. If Irene sets her sights on this area, residents there should be prepared for severe storm surges. Flooding rain in the region is also very likely and in fact, some forecasters are warning residents in the area that Irene could bring in over five inches of rain.
Although Virginia’s coastal and eastern regions are especially at risk for a major storm like Irene, the impacts of the storm’s winds and flooding can adversely affect any part of the state. The best defense against the perils and destruction caused by hurricanes like this is to stay informed and to be prepared. Local and state officials can and will order evacuations if they believe Irene will be a safety concern or if they think it is going to cause serious damage. State residents are being urged to visit the state’s Dept. of Emergency Management website to learn how to prepare.
Virginians are also being reminded that homeowner’s insurance policies do not cover flooding. It takes thirty days for a flood insurance policy to take effect and if you wait until a few days before a hurricane strikes, it is too late to receive coverage. Residents living in areas prone to storm surges are being told to be ready to evacuate due to flooding if told to do so.
