By Diana McFarland

Managing editor

Those living in coastal Virginia, including Isle of Wight and Surry counties, are watching the path of Hurricane Dorian as it moves slowly toward the Atlantic seaboard.

As of Tuesday, the storm had pounded the Bahamas with up to 185 mph winds, rain and massive flooding for more than 24 hours and causing utter destruction, according to the Washington Post.

The storm track Tuesday at 11 a.m. had Dorian grazing the North Carolina coast around 8 a.m. on Friday, according to the National Hurricane Center. Current forecasts call for the storm to move out to sea by Saturday. A hurricane watch was issued Tuesday for the coast up to Duck, to include the Pamlico and Albemarle Sounds. {mprestriction ids=”1,2,3,4,5,6″}

 

Gov. Ralph Northam declared a state of emergency for Virginia on Monday and urged residents to know their zone by going to KnowYourZoneVA.org online or call 2-1-1.

If the storm does make a turn toward Virginia, Isle of Wight and Surry residents can check out page 12, where local shelter information is listed. 

While long-time residents are familiar with hurricane preparation, the Virginia coast has often avoided a major hit due to last minute turns in the course of a storm. Last year, Virginia was on target for Hurricane Florence, initially a Category 4 storm that turned south toward North Carolina. The area did receive some rain and elevated tides, but few reports of any storm-related damage or injury.  

The initial forecast, made during the lead-up to the Isle of Wight County Fair, caused officials to cancel the event. 

The last time Isle of Wight and Surry received the brunt of a hurricane was Isabel in 2003. That storm made landfall in North Carolina and moved through Virginia, causing more than 30 deaths in the state and a billion in damages. 

 Hurricane planning resources are available at VAemergency.gov/make-a-plan. 

For a list of recommended emergency supplies to sustain your household before, during and after the storm visit VAemergency.gov/supply-kit. Additional preparedness information is available at VAemergency.gov/hurricanes and the Commonwealth’s hurricane evacuation guide for coastal Virginians is available at KnowYourZoneVA.org. 

Virginians should follow the Virginia Department of Emergency Management on Twitter and Facebook for preparedness updates and their local National Weather Service office for the latest weather forecast, advisories, watches or warnings. Download the FEMA app on your smartphone to receive mobile alerts from the National Weather Service.   {/mprestriction}