While Hurricane Irma is pummeling Florida, forecasters are predicting the storm will skirt around Virginia without posing any threat.
The storm is projected to miss Virginia as it continues to threaten states further west than previously expected, according to National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration forecast maps released Sunday.
Mike Rusnak, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Wakefield, Va., said Sunday he isn’t expecting the Category 4 hurricane to have much of an effect on Hampton Roads.
“It’s not going to have much of an impact on Virginia,” Rusnak said.
Rusnak said southeastern Virginia should still expect some rain showers on Tuesday.
Hurricane Jose, a Category 4 storm, is “meandering” out in the ocean right now, and it’s been stymying the weather models, Rusnak said.
On Friday, Gov. Terry McAuliffe declared a state of emergency in anticipation of Hurricane Irma, which will allow rescue and recovery teams, including the Virginia National Guard, to mobilize easier, according to a governor’s office news release.
The state of emergency helps the Commonwealth prepare for potential in-state emergencies, as well as help other surrounding states, the release said.