Severe thunderstorms, possible flooding in store for Smithfield, NWS warns
Published 2:23 pm Monday, June 26, 2023
- The National Weather Service is forecasting severe thunderstorms for the Smithfield area the evening of June 26. (Image courtesy of NWS)
Ten days after a tornado touched down in Smithfield and Carrollton, Isle of Wight County may be in store for more severe thunderstorms this evening, according to the National Weather Service.
The NWS is forecasting quarter- to golf-ball-sized hail and wind gusts of 60 to 75 mph, which could down trees and power lines, by 3 p.m. along and west of the Interstate 95 from Emporia to Richmond, with areas closer to the east coast seeing the same by 6 p.m. The severe weather threat will persist through the evening hours, the NWS Wakefield station warns.
An isolated tornado “cannot be ruled out,” the NWS forecast states.
The NWS has also issued a flood watch for Isle of Wight County from 2 p.m. through 2 a.m. June 27.
According to the Wakefield station’s forecast, there’s a 90% chance of rain this evening in Smithfield.
A Virginia Department of Transportation news release is advising motorists to not attempt traveling through flooded roadways. Six inches of flood water is enough to knock and adult off his or her feet, and 12 inches can move most cars, the news release warns.
