Chincoteague Island and both local counties have declared a local state of emergency as the Eastern Shore girds for a nor’easter expected to bring strong winds and tidal flooding through Monday.
Northampton and Accomack public school systems are closed on Monday, as is Eastern Shore Community College.
Gusty winds reaching 60 mph are forecast Sunday night and Monday, according to the National Weather Service.
Chincoteague is expecting high tides between 2 a.m. and 5 a.m., and 2 p.m. and 5 p.m., over the next several days, with “major flooding” expected Monday afternoon, according to the town.
The town issued a voluntary evacuation for the island, with those in the Bunker Hill and Ocean Breeze communities “strongly urged to evacuate.”
Arcadia High School in Oak Hall will open as a shelter at 8 a.m. Monday.
