The Virginian-Pilot
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Hurricane Bill should move north along the coast past North Carolina and Hampton Roads today, but its effects already were visible Friday.
Waves, which measured up to 4 feet at a buoy about 10 miles east of Virginia Beach, should increase this morning to about 6 feet, according to the National Weather Service. Waves might measure as high as 8 feet at the Oceanfront by this afternoon and as high as 9 to 10 feet along the Eastern Shore and North Carolina coasts.
Complicating matters, a cold front is moving into the area today, likely bringing gusty winds and rain.
The Weather Service is warning of high surf and rip currents through Sunday as the hurricane passes, but strong swells could carry the risk of rip currents into next week, said Jeff Lewitsky, a weather service meteorologist.
The waves that crash into the Virginia and North Carolina coasts will be “high energy waves,” Lewitsky said. Longer periods of high waves are common off the coast of California, but rare along the East Coast.
Lifeguards started posting red flags Friday, warning swimmers and surfers to stay out of the water because of strong rip currents and waves.
The warnings didn’t stop everyone. At 55th Street in Virginia Beach, surfers were enjoying shoulder-high waves and some, including Nick Isip, a 25-year-old bartender, were looking forward to the weekend.
Jeffrey Murden, a 54-year-old appliance salesman who was at the North End, said he wasn’t sure he would be surfing today.
“When it gets too big, I’m just going to hang back and watch the crazies go crazy,” he said.
A Coast Guard air crew from Elizabeth City, N.C., flew a patrol Thursday from Wilmington, N.C., to Cape Cod, Mass., to warn boaters about what to expect from Bill this weekend.
The crew broadcast its alert every 15 minutes, advising small vessels to stay out of the water and for larger boats to prepare for heavy rain and damaging winds.
“Our concern is for those who will be out to sea for several days and are not aware of Bill’s changing conditions,” said Lt. Cmdr. Chuck Webb, the co-pilot. “We want to be proactive now to prevent a search and rescue later.”
In North Carolina, officials were preparing for ocean overwash today that will likely flood N.C. 12 with sand and water during high tides, expected between 9 and 10 a.m. and 9 and 10 p.m.
The state Department of Transportation put coastal crews on standby and moved heavy equipment to the flood- prone areas in Dare County to clear the roads once the tide goes out.
Visitors on Hatteras Island were advised Friday to drive out during low tide.
Cape Hatteras National Seashore beaches will be closed to off-road vehicles during high tides. The park’ beach-access ramps were closed to off-road vehicles Friday night.
The National Park Service campgrounds and visitor centers were staying open.
Pilot writers Aaron Applegate, Jaedda Armstrong, Cindy Clayton and Catherine Kozak contributed to this report.
Lauren King, (757) 446-2309, lauren.king@pilotonline.com
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What, a Hurricane?
“Our concern is for those who will be out to sea for several days and are not aware of Bill’s changing conditions,” said Lt. Cmdr. Chuck Webb, the co-pilot. “We want to be proactive now to prevent a search and rescue later.”
If any mariners don't know there is a major hurricane in the Atlantic,
they get what they deserve.
Where's the personal responsibility?
As for the surfers, most of the are responsible.
Mr. I think you miss the point.
Mr.Wizard I think you missed the point. If a sail boat is already out in the ocean and a hurricane is coming. The sailors need to know where the hurricane is and where it is going in order to try and get out of the way of it.
They don't just need someone to tell them, there is a hurricane out there and nothing else.
People who just sit on the land all the time just don't understand things. Your wise crack about they get what they deserve shows that.
Lt. Cmdr. Webb is right.
surfing rules
the waves this weekend brought me more excitement then plaxico, vick, favre, and all those other punks combined will ever bring
Be Generous
I've been enjoying the rare waves that Bill has generated, and there have been some fun rides. As California surfer, these are on par with an above normal to good NORCAL day, with the exception (and its a really good one!) that the water is warm. However, I recognize that these are not normal conditions here, and people get used to normal.
I have to say that I have seen some little kids playing in the water on the inside with no adults around. I pointed out to one mom (who said she was from PA) how high the waves wash up on the beach with the set waves, and that her little 4 yr old would not be strong enough to take it.
As surfers, we shouldn't be arrogant about the "stupid" people at the beach. Instead, take the time to nicely point out to people (especially kids) doing dangerous things that might not realize the power of the ocean and the waves. Be generous. It will pay dividends because it will keep the authorities from just closing the beaches altogether.
Now if we can just eachother to start showing some manners out there and quit dropping in on people it could actually be fun.
I swim in the ocean regularly
and I was already getting my butt kicked out there yesterday. 4-6 foot waves and a rip current that'll take you 5 blocks away in 5 minutes...
Either Way
I'm going to take heed. Better safe than sorry. Remember Isabel?
Just hype. . .
A buoy off Hattaras is only reporting 4 foot seas as of 3:30pm today. The forward speed of Bill is 18 and that's not good for generating "big" waves at our shoreline. All hype.
Not epic, but not all hype either
Just got out of the water at Emerald Isle, NC at 7:25 with head high sets. Bouy 41025 South of Frisco is showing 6ft waves at 13 seconds as of 7:00 pm.
ECSC
Too bad the ECSC wasn't this weekend. Next weekend will most likely be flat-knee high.