News Flash

Aug. 25, 2023 - A new report from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration projects that the Hampton Roads region will see more high tide flood days than any other spot on the East Coast this year.

NOAA’s annual high tide flooding outlook, released this week, measures the region at Sewells Point in Norfolk and projects that the region will have up to 19 days of high tide flooding, when water is 1-2 feet above daily average and can cover roadways and  other land that is ordinarily dry. By comparison, the actual flood days for the past for years ranged from 12-14.

NOAA’s advance projections for the year 2040 range from 47 to 75 days of high tides.

Sewells Point, near Naval Station Norfolk, is the main tide indicator for Hampton and the region. Records have been kept since 1927.

NOAA’s records indicate that the frequency of the region’s flooding has tripled since the year 2000.

In addition to the report, NOAA recently introduced a new online high tide flooding outlook, which is updated each month. Users can check this resource regularly to see which days are most likely to bring dangerous flooding.

Due to Hampton’s low-lying presence on the water, the city’s coastal areas are highly susceptible to flooding. Click here for details on the city’s preparation for flooding.