Virginia Department of Emergency Services
CONTACT: Mike J. LaCivita (804) 674-2481
Janet L. Clements (804) 674-2409

RICHMOND, VA -- Hurricane Bonnie crashed through the Hampton Roads area last night and left behind widespread power outages, downed trees, significant damage to homes and buildings and numerous road closures. Wind gusts of 104 m.p.h. were reported at Cape Henry at the height of the storm. The Virginia Emergency Operations Center (EOC) in Richmond continues to be fully staffed and at full readiness to assist localities, if necessary. Local officials are busy doing damage assessments to determine the full extent of Bonnie's destruction. Those damage figures will help the state and federal officials determine if the localities are eligible for federal disaster assistance programs.

Governor Jim Gilmore will be flying over the Hampton Roads area by helicopter this afternoon to get a first-hand look at the damages.

In an overview of the damages reported to the Virginia EOC as of 9 a.m. Friday:

• Virginia Power reports 282,000 customers without power in the Hampton Roads area. Estimates for full restoration are at least three days.

• Virginia Beach reports 180,000 without power. Atlantic Avenue experienced significant damage, with broken windows, damaged awnings, and a host of other damages. Bayside Middle School in the city lost its roof. The city reports significant amounts of debris that needs clearing, and the lack of power is causing some problems with water and sewage plants.

• Chesapeake reports 75% of the city without power, numerous downed trees, some of which fell on homes. They have a number of road closures, and reported a dozen or so storm-related injuries.

• Norfolk indicated that there are 61,000 without power. They reported that two apartment units in the Ocean View area had major roof damage. One was a 40-unit structure and the other a 20-unit building. The apartment dwellers are currently in a shelter. Norfolk also reports problems with the power outages to the water filtration plant. In addition they report at least 250 downed trees.

• Other cities in Hampton Roads are dealing with power outages, downed trees and debris removal.

For updates on the state's response to Hurricane Bonnie, visit the Virginia Department of Emergency Services' Web site.