Norfolk prepares for flooding

NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY.com) - Norfolk residents in Ocean View and Spartan Village are bracing for Hurricane Earl. Both sections of Norfolk were hit with Nor'easter floods.

It was a scavenger hunt of sorts in Spartan Village on Thursday. "Tire rims, hubcaps, basketball, kid stuff, tricycle, clothes, any sort of small debris that someone may leave laying around the streets," said city worker Roger Fentress.

"People feel like - out of sight out of mind," said Bob Batcher, PR Manager of Norfolk.

"So yeah, you throw that cup out the car window, where's it going to end up? It's going to end up down the drain," Batcher continued.

Clogged drains filled Spartan Village like a bathtub last August and then again in November.

"This entire carpet is all brand new and that's from the flood. All these walls had to be repainted," said Spartan Village resident Matthew Ludwick.

After more than $1,000 in damage, Ludwick said he had enough. "I'm putting it on the market Saturday. As soon as this place gets sold, I'm out of here." he said.

While the city does what it can to prepare, Ludwick is doing what he can by putting down sandbags. He said he'll also be moving his car to higher ground. He said he'll be taking advantage of the free parking at one of the five Downtown Norfolk garages.

In Ocean View, public works crews checked storm drains, cleared away grass, trash, and other debris ahead of the storm to prepare for possible flooding.

"That was good to see them come out here and check them before we had the storm instead of having all the debris wash in and be there when the storm came," said homeowner Delaney Black.

Another homeowner, Scott Keating, said he wasn't so sure the clean-up effort would help. "Well they came through when the Nor'easter came. They tried to get that stuff pumped out, but they couldn't get it pumped out. They do what they can, but it's not enough."

Officials said erosion is another storm-related concern. They said crews will check the beach from East Ocean View to Willoughby for damage as soon as weather conditions are safe.