Dominion restoring power lost in Wednesday's thunderstorms

Dominion Virginia Power crews are working today to restore power lost to 11,000 customers during thunderstorms that started just before Wednesday’s afternoon commute.

At 7 a.m. today, fewer than 400 customers were waiting for their power to be restored, according to Dominion Virginia Power’s Web site. Norfolk, pelted by 2 to 4 inches of rain, was hardest hit yesterday by outages, Dominion spokesman Chuck Penn said. Penn said 4,738 customers were without power. Chesapeake had 3,723 outages; Virginia Beach, 3,390. There were relatively few outages in Suffolk, Portsmouth, Isle of Wight or on the Peninsula.

The threat of thunderstorms remains today ahead of a cold front, the National Weather Service says. A flash flood watch was set to expire at 8 a.m. today.

The rain should end in the afternoon with the high today of about 87, said meteorologist Mike Rusnak , with the weather service.

Rainfall amounts yesterday in Hampton Roads were hit-or-miss, the weather service said.

The Fentress area of Chesapeake saw 4 inches of rain, while some areas west of Chesapeake saw less than an inch.

Norfolk dispatchers reported flooding at Tidewater Drive and Virginia Beach Boulevard; Tidewater Drive and Brambleton Avenue and on 1st View Avenue.

Virginia Beach dispatchers said there had been flooding where Salem, Elbow and Dam Neck roads meet. Virginia State Police dispatchers reported flooding on I-64 near I-564 and I-264 near Waterside Drive in Norfolk.

In Virginia Beach, a mail carrier was struck by lightning delivering mail. Bruce Nedelka, division chief for the city's emergency medical services, said the injuries are not life-threatening.

The carrier called in the strike to 911, Nedelka said. He was taken to Sentara Virginia Beach General Hospital.

Air quality today in Hampton Roads is predicted to be moderate, according to the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality.

The risk of rip currents today is low, the weather service says. A small craft advisory is in effect. 

John Warren, (757) 222-5114,  john.warren@pilotonline.com

Cindy Clayton, (757) 446-2377, cindy.clayton@pilotonline.com