Hurricane Michael, a Category 4 storm, is expected to bring a period of heavy rainfall, including a flash flood watch and heavy winds, for Lunenburg County starting Thursday morning.

According to the flash flood watch issued by the National Weather Service (NWS) In Wakefield, “Heavy rain will spread into the region starting Thursday morning, continuing during Thursday and Thursday night, then ending Friday morning,” the watch cited. “Storm total rainfall of 3 to 6 inches  is expected in the watch area.

“This rainfall could produce flash flooding, particularly in areas of poor drainage and near creeks, streams, and ditches,” the advisory cited. “Street flooding is likely.”

Flash flood watches are issued when conditions are favorable for a specific hazardous weather event to occur, according to the NWS.

The NWS cited that a flash flood watch does not guarantee flooding, but that flooding is possible.

As of Wednesday, catastrophic winds and rainfall from Michael are expected to hit the Florida panhandle and travel upward along the east coast to parts of southern and central Georgia and South Carolina. 

Remnants of Hurricane Michael are then “forecast to track across North Carolina then off the mid-Atlantic coast from late Thursday into Friday morning,” a hazardous weather advisory from the NWS cited.  

“In addition, a period of strong winds are expected behind a strong cold frontal passage Thursday night and Friday morning, with gusts of 30 to 40 (miles per hour) mph possible,” a hazardous weather advisory from the NWS cited.

NWS encourages residents to monitor forecasts and take action if needed.

In the event of power outages, contact Dominion Energy at 866-366-4357 or Southside Electric Cooperative at 1-866-878-5514.

In the event that assistance from area first responders is needed to remove fallen trees, fire-related or medical emergencies, contact Victoria Fire & Rescue at (434) 696-2605, Kenbridge Fire Department at (434) 696-3131 and Kenbridge Emergency Squad at (434) 676-4848.
To learn how to build an emergency kit with items that include having one gallon a day for each member of the household, at least a three-day supply of non-perishable food, a battery-powered or hand crank radio and a NOAA Weather Radio with tone alert, a flashlight and first aid kit, visit www.ready.gov/build-a-kit.