Effects of storm abating in Va., Kaine says

RICHMOND, Va. -- Four deaths, a trail of flooding in Va.

A major storm that flooded southeastern Virginia and drenched much of the state should release its grip over the weekend and allow floodwaters to recede.

"It's going to be a very slow process," said Mike Rusnak, a National Weather Service meteorologist in Wakefield. "We still expect some coastal flooding into Saturday."

Northeasterly winds teamed with a high tide to create a 7.74-foot storm surge in Norfolk on Thursday night, just below the 7.9 feet that Hurricane Isabel produced in 2003.

That 7.74-foot surge -- about 5.4 feet above normal -- was the fifthhighest surge in Norfolk since recordkeeping started in the early 1900s, weather service meteorologist Lyle Alexander said.

Gov. Timothy M. Kaine said yesterday that the effects of the storm were abating. "That's what we're hearing from the localities," he said.

Kaine took questions from reporters after he was briefed yesterday at the state's Emergency Operations Center in Chesterfield County.

Four traffic deaths have been attributed to the storm, the governor and state police said, with a driver from Hampton confirmed as the latest fatality.

Kaine said two weather features -- the remnants of Tropical Storm Ida and a nor'easter -- combined to cause problems of a historic level in Hampton Roads.

About 56,000 Dominion Virginia Power customers remained without electricity last night in that region. About 800 were blacked out in the Richmond area.

In western Virginia, Kaine said, river flooding did not appear to be reaching some of the more severe levels that had been forecast.

Kaine will visit storm-stricken areas today.

From Tuesday night to yesterday afternoon, the storm dropped 6 to 11 inches of rain in southeastern Virginia. The rain flooded streets and highways and made much of the region impassable. Several residents had to seek shelter from their inundated homes.

People rowed boats in some streets, school systems closed, and even the military curtailed operations.

While this storm packed a punch, officials were grateful it was no Isabel, which made a destructive run through Virginia in 2003. At least 25 deaths were attributed to Isabel, and the storm left nearly 2 million power customers in the dark, some for weeks.

This week's storm "is mainly a water event," said Bob Batcher, a spokesman for the city of Norfolk. "We have downed trees but not as bad as Isabel."

Roughly 5 to 6 inches of rain fell in the Richmond area, temporarily flooding numerous roads, downing trees, and causing many people to hunker down at home.

The storm also prompted some complaints about potholes. Virginia Department of Transportation spokeswoman Dawn Eischen said the storm didn't necessarily cause the potholes, but standing water can hide them and delay maintenance.

"We've had to put back a lot of our maintenance duties because of the storm," Eischen said.

The James River in Richmond topped the 12-foot flood stage yesterday about 5 a.m. at the Westham gauge near the Huguenot Bridge.

The river is expected to crest this morning at 14.5 feet and cause minor flooding.

In western Virginia, the storm typically dropped 2 inches to 4 inches of rain and up to 9 inches in places.

The Dan River was causing moderate flooding at Danville yesterday but was projected to drop below flood stage early today.

The flooding damaged sewer lines, city parks and walking trails, state officials said.

At South Boston, the Dan River was expected to crest this morning about 10 feet above flood stage and cause moderate-to-major flooding.

Drizzle could continue along the coast and in the Richmond area into tomorrow.

After an overnight low in the 40s, the temperature today in the Richmond area should reach the upper 50s. The sun should peep out tomorrow afternoon, and the temperature could climb into the mid-60s.

Contact Rex Springston at (804) 649-6453 or .

Staff writers Mark Bowes, Tom Kapsidelis and Jim Nolan contributed to this report.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.