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Hurricane forecasts: Average to busy year in the Atlantic

  • A Pasture Point home in Hampton shows how high the...

    Jonathon Gruenke / Daily Press

    A Pasture Point home in Hampton shows how high the area flooded during storms last week.

  • A pick-up races through the water on Sycamore Ave. near...

    Rob Ostermaier / Daily Press

    A pick-up races through the water on Sycamore Ave. near 19th street Saturday. Hurricane Joaquin's winds are expected to cause tidal flooding over coming days.

  • Adrin Snider, Daily Press

  • Rainy weather is making Traci Crowley, left, from Illinois, and...

    Judith Lowery / Daily Press

    Rainy weather is making Traci Crowley, left, from Illinois, and Ann Shoemaker, from Yorktown,ready to head to the Cheese shop across the street. Not quite seen behind is Steve Crowley. The photo was taken 10/2/2015.

  • Adrin Snider, Daily Press

  • With hours to go before high tide, water is already...

    Adrin Snider/Daily Press

    With hours to go before high tide, water is already over the bulkhead on Deep Creek in Newport News.

  • Sangjib Min, Daily Press

  • Hurricane Barbara blew down this tree on Ivy Ave in...

    Daily Press Archives

    Hurricane Barbara blew down this tree on Ivy Ave in August 1953.

  • A van passes a storm drain overflowing with water Friday...

    Jonathon Gruenke / Daily Press

    A van passes a storm drain overflowing with water Friday afternoon October 2, 2015.

  • Rob Ostermaier, Daily Press

  • Hurricane Gordon 1994: A man heads for the surf at...

    Pamela Miller / Daily Press

    Hurricane Gordon 1994: A man heads for the surf at Buckroe Beach in Hampton

  • Chris Copeland and Shenequa Grady watch as water continues to...

    Jonathon Gruenke / Daily Press

    Chris Copeland and Shenequa Grady watch as water continues to flood Anderson Park in Newport News Friday afternoon October 2, 2015.

  • Matt Sabo, Daily Press

  • Dominion Power crews work an outage on Mennonite Lane in...

    Adrin Snider/Daily Press

    Dominion Power crews work an outage on Mennonite Lane in Newport News Ayer a tree fell breaking a utility pole, downing lines.

  • Megan Wesson cleans up broken branches, damaged by Hurricane Irene,...

    Sangjib Min / Daily Press

    Megan Wesson cleans up broken branches, damaged by Hurricane Irene, at her yard in Foxhill Area, Hampton, on Sunday.

  • A young girl looks out from a porch as floodwaters...

    Kaitlin McKeown / Daily Press

    A young girl looks out from a porch as floodwaters rise along East Pembroke Avenue on Sunday afternoon in Hampton on Oct. 4, 2015.

  • Adrin Snider, Daily Press

  • High Tide for this boat lift next to Pembroke Ave....

    Joe Fudge / Daily Press

    High Tide for this boat lift next to Pembroke Ave. in Hampton this afternoon.

  • Richard Armstrong with his dog Kyra enjoy a brief break...

    Rob Ostermaier / Daily Press

    Richard Armstrong with his dog Kyra enjoy a brief break in the weather on Fort Monroe Saturday. Hurricane Joaquin's winds are expected to cause tidal flooding in the coming days.

  • Adrin Snider, Daily Press

  • Adrin Snider, Daily Press

  • John Hogge with Poquoson Public Work pulls debris from a...

    Adrin Snider / Daily Press

    John Hogge with Poquoson Public Work pulls debris from a fence beside Beach Road in Poquoson on Monday morning, Oct. 5, 2015 after high tides washed debris up against fences Sunday during high tide.

  • Rob Ostermaier, Daily Press

  • Hampton piers were covered by high tides in the aftermath...

    Daily Press Archives

    Hampton piers were covered by high tides in the aftermath of Hurricane Barbara in August 1953.

  • Adrin Snider, Daily Press

  • Adrin Snider, Daily Press

  • High winds kick up the waves at Yorktown beach Friday...

    Rob Ostermaier / Daily Press

    High winds kick up the waves at Yorktown beach Friday evening.

  • With hours to go before high tide, water is already...

    Adrin Snider/Daily Press

    With hours to go before high tide, water is already over the bulkhead on Deep Creek in Newport News.

  • Flooding from Hurricane Diane in August 1955.

    Daily Press Archives

    Flooding from Hurricane Diane in August 1955.

  • With high tide coming around 3 p.m., Chris Jones, left,...

    Judith Lowery / Daily Press

    With high tide coming around 3 p.m., Chris Jones, left, thought it best, despite the rain, to get his boat out in the morning. Helping at Jamestown Marina are Mitch Cochran, in boat, and Mike Edwards. The marina is off Neck-O-Land Rd and the photo was taken 10/2/2015.

  • Hampton firefighters go door to door during a voluntary evacuation...

    Kaitlin McKeown / Daily Press

    Hampton firefighters go door to door during a voluntary evacuation of Paula Maria apartments on Friday afternoon.

  • Kelly Long with his grandson DaJohn Green-Long leave Monitor-Merrimac Overlook...

    Rob Ostermaier / Daily Press

    Kelly Long with his grandson DaJohn Green-Long leave Monitor-Merrimac Overlook Park Saturday after the wind and the rain made if difficult to fish Saturday afternoon.

  • Monique Jones, left, holds her six-year-old son Jaden Jones as...

    Jonathon Gruenke / Daily Press

    Monique Jones, left, holds her six-year-old son Jaden Jones as Miriam Jones takes pictures of waves crashing into shore in Newport News Friday afternoon October 2, 2015.

  • Storm driven surf pound everything its path in this view...

    Adrin Snider / Daily Press

    Storm driven surf pound everything its path in this view of the seawall at Ft Monroe on Sunday, Oct. 4, 2015.

  • Rob Ostermaier, Daily Press

  • Hurricane Cleo floods Newport News streets Sept. 1, 1964.

    Daily Press Archives

    Hurricane Cleo floods Newport News streets Sept. 1, 1964.

  • Army troops place sandbags at the entrances to buildings near...

    Daily Press Archives

    Army troops place sandbags at the entrances to buildings near the Chamberlin Hotel on Fort Monroe because of flooding from Hurricane Charley in August 1986.

  • Dennis Guzik with Dominion Power works a downed power line...

    Adrin Snider / Daily Press

    Dennis Guzik with Dominion Power works a downed power line a tree struck a utility pole in the background cutting off power to customers on Mennonite Lane in Newport News, Sunday, Oct. 4, 2015.

  • A boy rides his bike down Dandy Point Rd. in...

    Rob Ostermaier / Daily Press

    A boy rides his bike down Dandy Point Rd. in Fox Hill Saturday afternoon. Wind from hurricane Joaquin is expected to cause more tidal flooding over the next couple of days.

  • A swamped dock that normal offers a beautiful view of...

    Adrin Snider / Daily Press

    A swamped dock that normal offers a beautiful view of Mill Creek was swamped by the high tidal surge on Sunday Oct. 4, 2014.

  • Rob Ostermaier, Daily Press

  • A woman walks through floodwaters on Harbor Drive near high...

    Kaitlin McKeown / Daily Press

    A woman walks through floodwaters on Harbor Drive near high tide on Sunday afternoon in Hampton.

  • Rob Ostermaier, Daily Press

  • Dominion Power crews work a power outage on Mennonite Lane...

    Adrin Snider / Daily Press

    Dominion Power crews work a power outage on Mennonite Lane in Newport News on Sunday Oct. 4, 2015 after a pine tree fell breaking a utility pole downin power lines.

  • Watermen are keeping a close on their workboats as above...

    Adrin Snider / Daily Press

    Watermen are keeping a close on their workboats as above normal tides pushed water over the bulkhead at Deep Creek Sunday morning, Oct. 4, 2015.

  • Hurricane Gordon 1994: High Winds and 10 foot waves pounded...

    Joe Fudge / Daily Press

    Hurricane Gordon 1994: High Winds and 10 foot waves pounded the Outer Banks of North Carolina at Kitty Hawk. The N.C. Dept of Transportation works to clear the sand and debris from Rt. 12

  • Boats moored at the end of King St. in Hampton,...

    Daily Press Archives

    Boats moored at the end of King St. in Hampton, rose to street level as high tide brought some flooding caused by Hurricane Doria in 1967.

  • Leaving the Commons Dining Hall on the College of William...

    Judith Lowery / Daily Press

    Leaving the Commons Dining Hall on the College of William and Mary campus, Hannah Hampton, a freshman from the Eastern Shore of Virginia, knows the importance of a large umbrella and good boots. The photo was taken 10/2/2015.

  • The Daily Press building is boarded up as Hurricane Esther...

    Daily Press Archives

    The Daily Press building is boarded up as Hurricane Esther appoaches in Sept. 1961.

  • Sangjib Min, Daily Press

  • Hurricane Esther 1961, Grandview beach.

    Daily Press Archives

    Hurricane Esther 1961, Grandview beach.

  • Ryan West, center, paddles a boat with other children through...

    Jonathon Gruenke / Daily Press

    Ryan West, center, paddles a boat with other children through rising flood water in Poquoson Saturday afternoon October 3, 2015.

  • Colton Jablonski, 5, plays in floodwaters near the intersection of...

    Kaitlin McKeown / Daily Press

    Colton Jablonski, 5, plays in floodwaters near the intersection of Pochin Place and Chincoteague Drive near high tide on Sunday afternoon in Hampton.

  • JoJo, an eight-year old German Shepard take a romp in...

    Adrin Snider / Daily Press

    JoJo, an eight-year old German Shepard take a romp in puddled water at Riverview Farm Park during an outing with owner Jack Hackman of Newport News. "She can't swim but she likes to prance in the water'," stated Hackman as he waiting in the the rain for his pet to have her fun.

  • A vehicle attempts to drive through floodwaters on East Pembroke...

    Kaitlin McKeown / Daily Press

    A vehicle attempts to drive through floodwaters on East Pembroke Avenue on Sunday afternoon in Hampton on Oct. 4, 2015.

  • A view of the state boat ramp at Gloucester Point...

    Joe Fudge / Daily Press

    A view of the state boat ramp at Gloucester Point on Monday, Oct. 5, 2015. shows the sand deposited by tidal flooding from the previous days of stormy weather.

  • Jordan Neason-Ford, left, and Nikqo Phanhthy walk near Chesapeake Avenue...

    Jonathon Gruenke / Daily Press

    Jordan Neason-Ford, left, and Nikqo Phanhthy walk near Chesapeake Avenue as waves crash ashore in Newport News Friday afternoon October 2, 2015.

  • Adrin Snider, Daily Press

  • A vehicle drives through water on Bay Tree Beach Road...

    Jonathon Gruenke / Daily Press

    A vehicle drives through water on Bay Tree Beach Road Saturday afternoon October 3, 2015.

  • Water levels rise to the base of houses on Poquoson...

    Jonathon Gruenke / Daily Press

    Water levels rise to the base of houses on Poquoson Avenue Saturday afternoon October 3, 2015.

  • Jake Allen heads down a flooded Lodge Rd. in Poqouson...

    Rob Ostermaier / Daily Press

    Jake Allen heads down a flooded Lodge Rd. in Poqouson Friday afternoon October 2, 2015. Water was up to a foot deep in some places on the road.

  • Adrin Snider, Daily Press

  • Adrin Snider, Daily Press

  • A tree was uprooted by wind near the intersection of...

    Jonathon Gruenke / Daily Press

    A tree was uprooted by wind near the intersection of Shirley Drive and Calthrop Neck Road Saturday afternoon October 3, 2015.

  • A truck plows through the deep water on Lodge Rd....

    Rob Ostermaier / Daily Press

    A truck plows through the deep water on Lodge Rd. in Poqouson Friday afternoon October 2, 2015.

  • Water steadily rose about two hours before high tide at...

    Jane Hammond/Daily Press

    Water steadily rose about two hours before high tide at Harris Creek Road at Finns Point Lane on Monday afternoon.

  • Trinity Lanier raises her arms as strong wind gusts move...

    Jonathon Gruenke / Daily Press

    Trinity Lanier raises her arms as strong wind gusts move across Buckroe Beach Friday afternoon October 2, 2015.

  • Worker cleans out a fallen tree, which blocks Foxhill Road...

    Sangjib Min / Daily Press

    Worker cleans out a fallen tree, which blocks Foxhill Road in Hampton, on Sunday morning.

  • A swamped dock that normal offers a beautiful view of...

    Adrin Snider / Daily Press

    A swamped dock that normal offers a beautiful view of Mill Creek was swamped by the high tidal surge on Sunday Oct. 4, 2014.

  • Rob Ostermaier, Daily Press

  • Adrin Snider, Daily Press

  • Adrin Snider, Daily Press

  • Daily Press

  • A vehicle attempts to drive through floodwater on Bridge Street...

    Jonathon Gruenke / Daily Press

    A vehicle attempts to drive through floodwater on Bridge Street in downtown Hampton on Sunday evening.

  • Crab houses taking water off of Bridge Street in downtown...

    Mark Erickson/Daily Press

    Crab houses taking water off of Bridge Street in downtown Hampton, Va. on Oct. 2, 2015.

  • A surfer braves the waves at Buckroe Beach Friday afternoon...

    Jonathon Gruenke / Daily Press

    A surfer braves the waves at Buckroe Beach Friday afternoon October 2, 2015.

  • Adrin Snider, Daily Press

  • In August 1953 Hurricane Barbara brought high winds and tides...

    Daily Press Archives

    In August 1953 Hurricane Barbara brought high winds and tides to the Peninsula. The aftermath of the storm shows on a pier in Newport News.

  • "It's fun," says Tracy Tasnady, 14, of Hampton as she...

    Sangjib Min / Daily Press

    "It's fun," says Tracy Tasnady, 14, of Hampton as she learns kayaking for the first time at the backyard of her godmother, Sara Bunn, in Foxhill area, Hampton, on Sunday. Bunn's backyard was flooded by Hurricane Irene.

  • Ursula Bock doesn't let a little salt spray deter her...

    Adrin Snider / Daily Press

    Ursula Bock doesn't let a little salt spray deter her walk on the seawall at Ft. Monroe Sunday, Oct. 4, 2015. Bock had been out of town and was determined to get back into her exercise regiment that included a 3 mile walk along the water at Ft. Monroe.

  • Adrin Snider, Daily Press

  • Rob Ostermaier, Daily Press

  • Madison lane lines down Newport news

    Adrin Snider, Daily Press

    Madison lane lines down Newport news

  • A group of girls push bikes through floodwaters on Hampton...

    Kaitlin McKeown / Daily Press

    A group of girls push bikes through floodwaters on Hampton Roads Avenue on Sunday afternoon in Hampton.

  • Heavy winds knocked off the bell tower on the parish...

    Daily Press Archives

    Heavy winds knocked off the bell tower on the parish house of St. John's Episcopal Church during Hurricane Barbara in August 1953.

  • Close to noon, cars are leaving the Jamestown-Scotland ferry that...

    Judith Lowery / Daily Press

    Close to noon, cars are leaving the Jamestown-Scotland ferry that has just docked. Later on Friday, VDOT temporarily suspended ferry service due to high waters. The heavy rain and high tides prevented the loading ramps on the docks from safely being raised and lowered. The photo was taken 10/2/2015.

  • The lower end of Key Oak Dr. in Poqouson was...

    Rob Ostermaier / Daily Press

    The lower end of Key Oak Dr. in Poqouson was under water Friday afternoon October 2, 2015.

  • Hurricane Barbara struck the Peninsula August 1953 bringing heavy winds...

    Daily Press Archives

    Hurricane Barbara struck the Peninsula August 1953 bringing heavy winds and high tides. Many trees were brought down in Hampton, Newport News and Warwick blocking many streets.

  • Storm driven surf pound everything its path as a ship...

    Adrin Snider / Daily Press

    Storm driven surf pound everything its path as a ship heads in to Chesapeake Bay past Fort Wool on Suunday, Oct.4, 2015.

  • Children paddle through rising flood water in Poquoson Saturday afternoon...

    Jonathon Gruenke / Daily Press

    Children paddle through rising flood water in Poquoson Saturday afternoon October 3, 2015.

  • John Hogge and Mason Finch and Doug Montgomery with Poquoson...

    Adrin Snider / Daily Press

    John Hogge and Mason Finch and Doug Montgomery with Poquoson Public Works clear debris blocking Beach Road in Poquoson on Monday morning, Oct. 5, 2015 after a heavy tidal surge on Sunday.

  • Leaving the Commons Dining Hall on the College of William...

    Judith Lowery / Daily Press

    Leaving the Commons Dining Hall on the College of William and Mary campus, a to go warm drink is perfect on a slightly cool, wet day. The photo was taken 10/2/2015.

  • Adrin Snider, Daily Press

  • Water overflows from a storm drain on Bridge Street in...

    Jonathon Gruenke / Daily Press

    Water overflows from a storm drain on Bridge Street in Hampton Friday afternoon October 2, 2015.

  • Joe Fudge, Daily Press

  • Rising Tides flood streets in downtown Hampton Friday, Oct. 2,...

    Mark Erickson/Daily Press

    Rising Tides flood streets in downtown Hampton Friday, Oct. 2, 2014.

  • Sangjib Min, Daily Press

  • Rob Ostermaier, Daily Press

  • Adrin Snider, Daily Press

  • A ship enters the Chesapeake Bay out of Hampton Roads...

    Adrin Snider / Daily Press

    A ship enters the Chesapeake Bay out of Hampton Roads in the face of gusty winds and surging tides on Sunday around midday.

  • Hampton firefighters assist a resident during an evacuation of Paula...

    Kaitlin McKeown / Daily Press

    Hampton firefighters assist a resident during an evacuation of Paula Maria apartments on Friday afternoon.

  • From left Anna Withrow, Nick Rhea, Gabe Hayes, and Ryan...

    Jonathon Gruenke / Daily Press

    From left Anna Withrow, Nick Rhea, Gabe Hayes, and Ryan West carry a boat across Ridge Road as water levels rise in Poquoson Saturday afternoon October 3, 2015.

  • Sangjib Min, Daily Press

  • Donnell Robinson, left, Kyra Lanier, center, and Trinity Lanier attempt...

    Jonathon Gruenke / Daily Press

    Donnell Robinson, left, Kyra Lanier, center, and Trinity Lanier attempt to wrangle a coat as wind gusts move across Buckroe Beach Friday afternoon October 2, 2015.

  • Sangjib Min, Daily Press

  • Skyeler Seals and U.R. Mills stand in the middle of...

    Kaitlin McKeown / Daily Press

    Skyeler Seals and U.R. Mills stand in the middle of floodwaters on Pembroke Avenue on Sunday afternoon in Hampton.

  • Adrin Snider, Daily Press

  • Wayland West, left, and Leland Withrow, right, walk through rising...

    Jonathon Gruenke / Daily Press

    Wayland West, left, and Leland Withrow, right, walk through rising flood water in Poquoson Saturday afternoon October 3, 2015.

  • A sign stating it is a wake free zone is...

    Jonathon Gruenke / Daily Press

    A sign stating it is a wake free zone is posted in front of house on Poquoson Avenue Saturday afternoon October 3, 2015.

  • Joe Fudge, Daily Press

  • With William and Mary umbrella in hand, a student makes...

    Judith Lowery / Daily Press

    With William and Mary umbrella in hand, a student makes his way to the Commons Dining Hall. The photo was taken 10/2/2015.

  • Storekeepers tape windows in prepartion for Hurricane Connie in August...

    Daily Press Archives

    Storekeepers tape windows in prepartion for Hurricane Connie in August 1955.

  • Joe Fudge, Daily Press

  • As the wind churns up the bay, people take advantage...

    Rob Ostermaier / Daily Press

    As the wind churns up the bay, people take advantage of the break in the rain Saturday to fish at Monitor-Merrimac Overlook Park.

  • Dennis Guzik with Dominion Power works a downed power line...

    Adrin Snider / Daily Press

    Dennis Guzik with Dominion Power works a downed power line a tree struck a utility pole in the background cutting off power to customers on Mennonite Lane in Newport News, Sunday, Oct. 4, 2015.

  • Waves began punching at the seal walls around the military...

    Daily Press Archives

    Waves began punching at the seal walls around the military installation Fort Monroe as a result of Hurricane Diane in August 1955.

  • Joe Fudge, Daily Press

  • The summer plants are still lush outside the Commons Dining...

    Judith Lowery / Daily Press

    The summer plants are still lush outside the Commons Dining Hall on the College of William and Mary campus. The photo was taken 10/2/2015.

  • Haleigh Coberly runs across a flooded dock with Harley at...

    Jonathon Gruenke / Daily Press

    Haleigh Coberly runs across a flooded dock with Harley at Back Creek Park in York Saturday afternoon October 3, 2015.

  • Brittanie Lyons, a Pasture Point resident in Hampton, discusses how...

    Jonathon Gruenke / Daily Press

    Brittanie Lyons, a Pasture Point resident in Hampton, discusses how the area flooded during storms last week.

  • Rob Ostermaier, Daily Press

  • The Daily Press building is boarded up as Hurricane Esther...

    Daily Press Archives

    The Daily Press building is boarded up as Hurricane Esther appoaches in Sept. 1961.

  • Sangjib Min, Daily Press

  • "It's a perfect beach weather," Jenn Dupilka of Hampton says...

    Sangjib Min / Daily Press

    "It's a perfect beach weather," Jenn Dupilka of Hampton says of Sunday weather with her boyfriend, Hector Smith as City of Hampton employees work on dump sand back to Buckroe Beach in Hampton. Truck loaded of sand was flown to streets by Hurricane Irene on Saturday.

  • Adrin Snider, Daily Press

  • A barrier blocks off E. Pembroke Avenue near the intersection...

    Kaitlin McKeown/Daily Press

    A barrier blocks off E. Pembroke Avenue near the intersection of Marshall Street as floodwaters rise from the Hampton River on Sunday afternoon.

  • John Hogge and Mason Finch with Poquoson Public Work clear...

    Adrin Snider / Daily Press

    John Hogge and Mason Finch with Poquoson Public Work clear blocking Beach Road in Poquoson on Monday morning, Oct. 5, 2015.

  • A battered sofa is among the more recongizable pieces of...

    Daily Press Archives

    A battered sofa is among the more recongizable pieces of debris cast up along the James River from Hurricane Camille in August 1969.

  • Joe Fudge, Daily Press

  • Sangjib Min, Daily Press

  • Melissa and Heath King take Molly for a walk down...

    Rob Ostermaier / Daily Press

    Melissa and Heath King take Molly for a walk down a flooded Lodge Rd. in Poqouson Friday afternoon October 2, 2015.

  • Water steadily rose about two hours before high tide at...

    Jane Hammond/Daily Press

    Water steadily rose about two hours before high tide at Harris Creek Road at Finns Point Lane on Monday afternoon.

  • Surf begins building up at Buckroe Beach in Sept. 1967...

    Daily Press Archive /

    Surf begins building up at Buckroe Beach in Sept. 1967 because of Hurricane Doria.

  • High winds have Old Glory standing out straight Friday on...

    Rob Ostermaier / Daily Press

    High winds have Old Glory standing out straight Friday on the Yorktown waterfront.

  • Sangjib Min, Daily Press

  • Harley, a boxer lab mix, attempts to reach a ball...

    Jonathon Gruenke / Daily Press

    Harley, a boxer lab mix, attempts to reach a ball from a flooded dock at Back Creek Park in York Saturday afternoon October 3, 2015.

  • Newport News police keep watch over the high water at...

    Rob Ostermaier / Daily Press

    Newport News police keep watch over the high water at the intersection of Buxton Ave. and 27th street in Newport News Saturday.

  • Residents on 75th St, Newport News, found a tree blocking...

    Willard Owens / Daily Press

    Residents on 75th St, Newport News, found a tree blocking the doorway and on their car after Hurricane Agnes in June 1972.

  • Mason Finch works with other members of a Poquoson public...

    Adrin Snider/Daily Press

    Mason Finch works with other members of a Poquoson public works to clear storm debris blocking Beach Road early Monday morning, Oct 5, 2015.

  • Kim Humphries, a Pasture Point resident in Hampton, discusses how...

    Jonathon Gruenke / Daily Press

    Kim Humphries, a Pasture Point resident in Hampton, discusses how the area flooded during storms last week.

  • Sara Bunn removes her carpet, which is damaged by Hurricane...

    Sangjib Min / Daily Press

    Sara Bunn removes her carpet, which is damaged by Hurricane Irene, with the help of her neighbor, Josh Conner, in Foxhill area, Hampton, on Sunday. About one-inch of water flooded into Bunn's house on Saturday.

  • Joe Fudge, Daily Press

  • With hours to go before high tide, water is already...

    Adrin Snider/Daily Press

    With hours to go before high tide, water is already over the bulkhead on Deep Creek in Newport News. Here, a boat rest aground in the boat ramp following a previous high tide.

  • Dogs fight walking into sand and strong wind gusts at...

    Jonathon Gruenke / Daily Press

    Dogs fight walking into sand and strong wind gusts at Buckroe Beach Friday afternoon October 2, 2015.

  • Sangjib Min, Daily Press

  • High watermarks serve as a gauge for homeowners Faye and...

    Adrin Snider / Daily Press

    High watermarks serve as a gauge for homeowners Faye and Floyd Gibbs in their home's garage on Beach Road in Poquoson. Storm surge on Sunday only came to the bottom of the stairs, not measuring up to storm surge from previous storms.

  • A flag tattered by the high winds stands in a...

    Adrin Snider / Daily Press

    A flag tattered by the high winds stands in a yard along Beach Road on Monday Oct. 5, 2015 after high winds and tidal surge pounded the area on Sunday.

  • Adrin Snider, Daily Press

  • Adrin Snider, Daily Press

  • Dominion Power crews work a power outage on Mennonite Lane...

    Adrin Snider / Daily Press

    Dominion Power crews work a power outage on Mennonite Lane in Newport News on Sunday Oct. 4, 2015 after a pine tree fell breaking a utility pole downin power lines.

  • Rob Ostermaier, Daily Press

  • Floodwaters creep towards homes near the intersection of Marshall Street...

    Kaitlin McKeown / Daily Press

    Floodwaters creep towards homes near the intersection of Marshall Street and East Pembroke Avenue on Sunday afternoon in Hampton.

  • Andrew and Stacy Hoyle check out the high wind and...

    Rob Ostermaier / Daily Press

    Andrew and Stacy Hoyle check out the high wind and waves at Yorktown beach Friday evening.

  • A view of the state boat ramp at Gloucester Point...

    Joe Fudge / Daily Press

    A view of the state boat ramp at Gloucester Point on Monday, Oct. 5, 2015. shows the sand build up from the previous days of stormy weather that now blocks access to the ramp.

  • Sangjib Min, Daily Press

  • A home at Huntington Ave and River Rd. is strewn...

    Bea Kopp / Daily Press

    A home at Huntington Ave and River Rd. is strewn with twisted tree limbs after Hurricane Agnes in June 1972.

  • High tide has the Mill Creek kayak dock well under...

    Adrin Snider / Daily Press

    High tide has the Mill Creek kayak dock well under water as a rising tide and wind drive saltwater onto the adjacent roadway at Fort Monroe. Sunday, Oct. 4, 2015.

  • Fishermen attempt to fish at Gosnold's Hope Park as waters...

    Jane Hammond/Daily Press

    Fishermen attempt to fish at Gosnold's Hope Park as waters rise about an hour before high tide Monday.

  • A view of the state Boat rame beneath the Coleman...

    Joe Fudge / Daily Press

    A view of the state Boat rame beneath the Coleman Bridge shows little structural damage from the previous days of stormy weather.

  • Adrin Snider, Daily Press

  • The boat harbor and surrounding structures at VIMS show little...

    Joe Fudge / Daily Press

    The boat harbor and surrounding structures at VIMS show little damage from the weekend of stormy weather.

  • Adrin Snider, Daily Press

  • Hurricane Cleo Sept. 1, 1964 in Newport News on Buxton...

    Daily Press Archives

    Hurricane Cleo Sept. 1, 1964 in Newport News on Buxton Ave.

  • Mark Lyerly tries to get in some boogie-boarding at Yorktown...

    Rob Ostermaier / Daily Press

    Mark Lyerly tries to get in some boogie-boarding at Yorktown beach as high wind drives waves ashore Friday evening.

  • Ashton Withrow, left, Leland Withrow, center, and other children paddle...

    Jonathon Gruenke / Daily Press

    Ashton Withrow, left, Leland Withrow, center, and other children paddle through rising flood water in Poquoson Saturday afternoon October 3, 2015.

  • Hurricane Helene in 1958 chopped up this stretch of shoreline...

    Daily Press Archives

    Hurricane Helene in 1958 chopped up this stretch of shoreline at Grandview leaving major damage to the beach and adjacent land.

  • Faye Gibbs clears debris from in front of her home...

    Adrin Snider/Daily Press

    Faye Gibbs clears debris from in front of her home on Beach Road ahead of a Poquoson public works crew removing debris from the street early Monday morning, Oct 5, 2015.

  • Warren Coleman, a Pasture Point resident in Hampton, discusses how...

    Jonathon Gruenke / Daily Press

    Warren Coleman, a Pasture Point resident in Hampton, discusses how the area flooded during storms last week.

  • Tropical Storm Bret July 1981: A car plows through rising...

    Michael D. Asher / Daily Press

    Tropical Storm Bret July 1981: A car plows through rising waters on North First Street in Buckroe.

  • Hurricane Doria sent breakers rolling into Buckroe Beach as an...

    Daily Press Archives

    Hurricane Doria sent breakers rolling into Buckroe Beach as an advance warning of her strength in Sept. 1967.

  • Electical power components rest on the ground after being knocked...

    Adrin Snider / Daily Press

    Electical power components rest on the ground after being knocked to the ground by a falling pine tree of of Mennonite Lane in Newport News on Sunday, Oct. 4, 2015.

  • Adrin Snider, Daily Press

  • Joe Fudge, Daily Press

  • Shane Clements, Austin Drees, Jesse Wyatt, and Mike Simons are...

    Joe Fudge, Daily Press

    Shane Clements, Austin Drees, Jesse Wyatt, and Mike Simons are running along a walkway at the Yorktown beachfront early this morning hours before the arrival of Hurricane Irene.

  • Deb Parker, center, and her husband, Frank Parker, right, of...

    Sangjib Min / Daily Press

    Deb Parker, center, and her husband, Frank Parker, right, of American Red Cross, check out hurricane damages with Ron Krodel, a resident at Elizabeth Lake Drive, in Foxhill area, Hampton, on Sunday.

  • Dominion Power crews work a power outage on Mennonite Lane...

    Adrin Snider / Daily Press

    Dominion Power crews work a power outage on Mennonite Lane in Newport News on Sunday Oct. 4, 2015 after a pine tree fell breaking a utility pole downin power lines.

  • Hurricane Barbara caused high waves and rough waters in August...

    Daily Press Archives

    Hurricane Barbara caused high waves and rough waters in August 1953.

  • Jamie Winder with Poquoson Public Works tosses debris onto a...

    Adrin Snider / Daily Press

    Jamie Winder with Poquoson Public Works tosses debris onto a truck as coworkers Aaron McDaniel and Matthew Lupo clear a ditch on Floyd Ave in Poquoson on Monday morning, Oct. 5, 2015.

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    Anna Withrow stands in rising flood water in Poquoson Saturday afternoon October 3, 2015.

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    Colton Jablonski, 5, plays hide-and-seek with his neighbor as floodwaters cover Chincoteague Drive on Sunday afternoon in Hampton.

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    Water steadily rose about two hours before high tide at Harris Creek Road at Finns Point Lane on Monday afternoon.

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    Jonathon Gruenke / Daily Press

    Children paddle through rising flood water in Poquoson Saturday afternoon October 3, 2015.

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This is National Hurricane Preparedness Week, and, if atmospheric scientists are right, there’s even more reason to prepare this year than last.

Two forecasts issued so far predict either a rather average year for Atlantic hurricanes or a very active one. Either way, experts say, hurricane-prone areas such as Hampton Roads should start getting ready now.

The Atlantic hurricane season runs June 1 through November.

“It takes only one landfall near you to make this an active season,” researcher Phil Klotzbach cautioned last month when he released a forecast from the Tropical Meteorological Project at Colorado State University.

CSU has been making hurricane season predictions for 33 years now, and says this year the Atlantic stands a good chance of churning up 12 named storms — five of which could explode into hurricanes, including two major ones with wind speeds topping 111 mph.

But experts at North Carolina State University are predicting 15-18 tropical storms and 8-11 hurricanes, with three to five of them major.

An average season would see 11 storms whipping up six hurricanes, with two or three of them major ones.

At the National Weather Service in Wakefield, though, meteorologist Bill Sammler cautioned against relying too much on forecasts.

“There is no correlation between those numbers and impact to the U.S.,” Sammler said in a phone interview Monday.

Instead, he said, residents should approach every hurricane season as if they expect a “significant impact.”

“If you take that approach — that every year is the same, from the perspective of how you are going to prepare — then you’re in much better shape than using the seasonal forecast as your guide as to whether you should make preparations or not,” Sammler said.

One major factor in both forecasts is the El Niño that’s petering out in the Pacific. An El Niño is a period of warming Pacific waters that disrupts normal weather patterns around the globe — including issuing strong upper-level winds that suppress hurricane formation in the Atlantic.

The national Climate Prediction Center could be issuing its own annual hurricane forecast by the end of the week, said Sammler. The center is under the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

For more on National Hurricane Preparedness Week, go to nws.noaa.gov/com/weatherreadynation.

Meanwhile, Virginia’s Hurricane Preparedness Week begins Sunday, said Dawn Eisschen, spokeswoman at the Virginia Department of Emergency Preparedness.

It typically runs right before Memorial Day weekend, said Eisschen, “which is when we get the most mileage out of people listening to hurricane preparedness messages.”

The state used to hold a sales tax holiday for the purchase of emergency supplies during Memorial Day weekend, she said, but last year the governor combined it with similar sales tax breaks for school supplies and energy-efficient products and rescheduled all three to the first weekend in August.

Dietrich can be reached by phone at 757-247-7892.