NORFOLK, Va. — Norfolk's Emergency Management is warning Old Dominion University football fans about significant coastal flooding expected to impact travel to and from S.B. Ballard Stadium during Saturday night's game against James Madison University.
Daniel Hudson, the city of Norfolk's Emergency Management Director, said Hampton Boulevard will be flooded between 6 p.m. and approximately 1 a.m. — including when the game ends.
"The big football game, it's going to be flooded down Hampton Boulevard between 6 p.m. and about 1 a.m., especially when the football game ends," Hudson said.
Hudson said fans should plan alternate routes before heading out for the game.
"Be prepared that it may not be the route that you're going to be able to take going back home," Hudson said.
The city is recommending specific detour routes to help fans avoid the flooding.
"We are suggesting to take 35th St. or 38th St. off of Hampton Boulevard and go down Granby Street. You can make a right or left and then travel down Granby Street to get to the interstate," Hudson said.
While flooded roads are not automatically closed, Hudson explained the challenges that come with managing them.
"If it's completely impassable to where nobody can get through it, and that is an option right, but if that also takes out the resources of putting out the signs in the barrels and things like that, and then also if they continue to flood those barrels in those signs also wash away as well," Hudson said.
Hudson said the flooding may not be life-threatening, but it could still cause serious and costly problems for drivers.
"You know there's an old saying, ' turn around, don't drown.' It's not gonna be deep enough for people to drown, but it most certainly is deep enough for you to get your car stuck and cause lots of expensive damage to your vehicle," Hudson said.
Hudson said his priority is keeping everyone safe.
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