Virginia Beach Warns of Flooding, Tornadoes

Virginia Beach has declared a local emergency and is warning residents to prepare for potential flooding and power outages as Hurricane Irene approaches Virginia's coast.

City Manager James K. Spore issued the declaration at 8 a.m. Thursday.

The city said in a news release that there's also a possibility of tornadoes.

On Thursday, city officials issued a mandatory Friday evacuation for Sandbridge, a section of the city that's among the most vulnerable in the state to storm surge, large waves and hurricane-force winds.


Follow us on Twitter and Facebook. Sign up for our e-mail newsletters and get breaking news delivered right to your mobile phone -- just text DCBREAKING to 622339 to sign up. (Message and data rates may apply.)

Copyright AP - Associated Press
Contact Us