Coastal Flood — Norfolk, Virginia

2025-09-16 · Norfolk, Virginia

Event narrative

A coastal low lingered near the North Carolina and Virginia coastline on September 16, slowly moving northwest into the Chesapeake Bay by the evening of September 16. This low brought a prolonged period of elevated northerly winds across the Chesapeake Bay, resulting in moderate coastal flooding in Norfolk. Sewells Point reached 5.58 ft MLLW at 454 PM EST on September 16, the Western Branch of the Elizabeth River reached 6.02 ft MLLW at 442 PM EST on September 16, and Money Point reached 6.08 ft MLLW at 506 PM EST on September 16. Additionally, one to two feet of seawater was reported along Hampton Boulevard in Norfolk, resulting in partially submerged and stranded vehicles at 504 PM EST. Another report was received at 447 PM EST and indicated that one to two feet of seawater resulted in partially submerged vehicles in Old Towne Portsmouth.

Wider weather episode

A coastal low lingered near the North Carolina and Virginia coastline on September 16, slowly moving northwest into the Chesapeake Bay by the evening of September 16. This low brought a prolonged period of elevated northerly winds across the Chesapeake Bay, resulting in widespread moderate to locally major coastal flooding across portions of eastern Virginia.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1295818. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.