The Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources has reported an increase in sick and dead birds in Hampton Roads, with preliminary testing indicating H5N1 avian influenza as the likely cause. Various species of shorebirds and waterbirds have been affected, with the most impacted being grebes, sanderlings, and gulls. Poultry owners are advised to maintain high biosecurity measures, and while the CDC considers the risk of transmission to people to be low, caution is recommended when handling or disposing of dead birds.
Thousands of customers in southeastern Virginia, particularly in Chesapeake and Virginia Beach, lost power due to severe weather on Tuesday, with Dominion Energy reporting over 19,000 outages. The company expects a multi-day restoration effort as the storm, bringing heavy rain, severe thunderstorms, and strong winds, impacts multiple service areas in southeastern Virginia and North Carolina. Dominion Energy provided tips for storm preparation, including downloading their mobile app to report outages, staying away from downed power lines, fully charging devices, properly connecting generators, and preparing food, water, and emergency supplies.
The National Weather Service has issued a tropical storm warning and storm surge warning for the Hampton Roads area in Virginia, with heavy rain, flooding, and strong winds expected. City officials in various localities have taken precautions, including early school dismissals, cancellation of events, and clearing drains and ditches. Residents are urged to stay informed, avoid flooded roads, and follow evacuation orders if given.
