Triangle Feeling Effects of Irene

By WY Daily Staff Saturday, August 27, 2011

The initial effects of Hurricane Irene were felt throughout the Historic Triangle Saturday afternoon, causing some reports of damage.

WYDaily will continue to offer updates as we receive news. Please email your damage-related tips to contactus@wydaily.com. Check WYDaily often. To help get through the list more easily, you can hit "control + F" and type in a key word, which will take you to that word in the story. For the most current updates on damage and local government information, see our most recent story, Hurricane Irene Aftermath.

UPDATED 10:57 p.m.: The City of Williamsburg is declaring a curfew starting at 11 p.m. to 6 a.m. No persons or vehicles should be on the roads except emergency personnel. The curfew applies to all persons within the city except federal, state and local law enforcement; fire, rescue and utility company personnel; emergency operating personnel; and contractors performing services directed by the City Manager acting as the Director of Emergency Management.

9:59 p.m.: The National Weather Service reports that tropical force winds up to 60 mph will occur until midnight, with the storm expected to leave the area by 6 a.m.

In Williamsburg, 8.9 inches of rain have fallen since midnight Friday. Currently, 4,464 residents are without power, which is the majority of the city. If you've lost power, call Dominion at 866-366-4357. The city does not plan to send any more updates until the storm has passed.

9:14 p.m.: A large tree fell on Croaker Road, blocking both lanes. Crews are on the scene right now. Another large tree is blocking both westbound lanes of Route 60 in Toano.

8:46 p.m.: Jim McGrath of Williamsburg reports wind gusts are up to 76 miles per hour. Williamsburg reports 4,388 city residents are without power, which is the majority of the city, and 8.8 inches of rain have fallen.

7:31 p.m.: Some sections of News Road are blocked by flooding and downed trees. Emergency Services still has access to neighborhoods located off News Road.

7:10 p.m.: Currently, 1,401 Williamsburg residents aren't power, which means about 20 have had power restored since our last update. Crews are currently at work clearing fallen trees from the roads.

6:55 p.m.: James City County's government website is now down. For updates, follow their Twitter feed and Facebook updates.

Also, they've received many reports of blocked and flooded roads.

6:36 p.m.: William and Mary spokesman Brian Whitson reports staff from Facilities Management and William & Mary Police have been responding to issues on campus throughout the day. The campus has experienced a partial power outage, mainly on the south side of Jamestown Road. Power on the main campus has been off and on, but critical areas in key academic buildings are running off generators.

As of 6 p.m., there are several large trees down on campus, but there does not appear to be any building damage beyond some minor roof leaks and flooding in basement areas. The college plans to assess the campus again in the morning and begin the clean-up process.

6:24 p.m.: Sentara Williamsburg Regional Medical Center has had three patients with storm-related injuries at this time, but spokesperson Kim Van Sickel says the hospital has seen a very low volume of patients in the Emergency Room. Sentara Careplex Hospital in Hampton, by contrast, has seen 13 patients with storm-related injuries. Riverside spokesman Peter Glagola says no patients have been admitted with storm-related injuries at this time.

At 6:15 p.m., Sentara encouraged visitors to go home before the worst of the weather. Normal visiting hours will resume Sunday.

5:41 p.m.: James City County has 55 people in its county shelter, as of 5:30 p.m. Part of John Tyler Highway is closed between St. George's Hundred and Jamestown High School. People should beware of that area, where the county has received reports of tangled trees and power lines in the road. Part of Stewart's Road near Liberty Baptist Church has flooded.

5:25 p.m.: Dominion reports power outages to 1,600 customers in James City County, 1,700 in York County and 1,421 in Williamsburg.

4:25 p.m.: York County officials confirm that the Advance Auto Parts on Merrimac Trail collapsed Saturday afternoon around 3 p.m. Fire and Life Safety personnel successfully rescued someone trapped inside.

The county reports that the back and front of the building separated from the main building and the roof collapsed into the store.

The trapped individual managed to crawl out of the building shortly after Fire and Life safety personnel arrived.

The cause of the roof collapse is under investigation.

Additionally, VDOT closed Route 17 Northbound from Fort Eustis Boulevard to the Coleman Bridge at 1:50 p.m. today due to a downed tree.

Some roof damage due to falling tree limbs has been reported at houses on Hillburne Lane, Sheriff's Place, Parchment Boulevard and Charles River Landing. There have been sporadic power outages and some down trees reported throughout the county.

4:25 p.m.: Colonial Williamsburg reports some trees down, but crews are working to remove them. There is no damage to any historic buildings.

4:25 p.m.: Williamsburg asks motorists to stay off the road as crews work to remove trees.