Gov. Timothy M. Kaine declared a state of emergency for Virginia on Wednesday evening in response to a coastal storm battering Hampton Roads.

The declaration immediately directs state agencies to take necessary actions to protect the health and safety of citizens throughout the the state.

Heavy rain and winds from thestorm are expected to peak locally today, and one local scientist said high water levels could rival those of Hurricane Isabel in 2003.

The storm pounded the region on Wednesday and will continue through Friday. The National Weather Service said coastal flood warnings and high wind warnings will remain in effect until Friday.

The remnants of Tropical Storm Ida were expected to become a nor'easter Wednesday night, said NewsChannel 3 Chief Meteorologist Mike Harvey. Widespread rainfall totals of 3 to 5 additional inches are possible through tonight, Harvey wrote in his Web site forecast. He said coastal flooding would be at its peak during high tide today and Friday. Increasing northeast winds will average 30 to 40 miles per hour, with gusts to 50.

John Boon, a professor emeritus at the Virginia Institute of Marine Science, said forecasts show the water levels could rival or even surpass the floods from Hurricane Isabel in 2003. Isabel's floodwaters reached a height of nearly 8 feet at Sewell's Point in Norfolk, and forecasts show that this afternoon, water levels there could top that height. Sewell's Point is one of the area's main tide monitoring points.

"I think this storm is going to create some serious flooding," Boon said. "If I had something down low on the ground, I would get it up high like we're doing down at VIMS."

Unusual factors in the ocean are at work to make the storm more powerful than would normally be expected. Rising sea levels and other factors involving the Gulf Stream are already keeping water levels in Hampton Roads a foot higher than normal, Boon said.

"With the National Weather Service indicating that eastern Virginia could experience flooding and storm surge comparable to the effects of a Category 1 hurricane, it's critical that Virginians make the necessary preparations," Kaine said in a statement Wednesday.

"While we will continue to monitor conditions, the commonwealth is preparing for a period of coastal flooding through at least Friday evening."

With Wednesday's declaration, the governor is delegating authority to local governments to direct mandatory evacuations of citizens in low-lying areas if such action becomes necessary.

The Virginia Department of Emergency Management is coordinating with local officials and state agencies as well as the National Weather Service. The Virginia State Police, Virginia National Guard and the departments of Game and Inland Fisheries, Social Services and Transportation are preparing to assist local governments as necessary.

In Poquoson, traditionally one of the hardest-hit areas for flooding, City Hall will be open as a shelter for residents who wish to stay or park there, or who can't get to their homes due to flooding. Residents can show up "whenever they are feeling antsy," said Judy Wiggins, clerk of City Council.

In Gloucester, residents of two or three homes in Guinea off Cooks Landing Road planned to park their vehicles at Crown Pointe Marina on Wednesday in anticipation of high tides late that afternoon and today, said Erin Nathan, the marina's office manager. The area sees routine flooding from storms or even in the full moon phase on high tides.

In Newport News, a downed power line on Colony Road knocked out power in some parts of Denbigh on Wednesday afternoon, according to police. About 6 p.m., there were about 3,000 customers without power in southeast Virginia, which includes the Peninsula and South Hampton Roads, according to Dominion Power. About 400 customers were without power in the Gloucester/Northern Neck area.

Rescue crews from Newport News, Isle of Wight County and the Virginia Marine Resources Commission were called in to help a group of canoeists and kayakers to safety after they had problems in the choppy water on the James River on Wednesday morning.

Scott Liebold, of the Newport News Fire Department, said a man fell out of his canoe near the James River Bridge. Liebold said there were at least three "experienced canoeists" in a canoe and two kayaks, attempting to paddle from Huntington Park in Newport News to the Pagan River.

Wind restrictions limited the size and type of vehicles allowed to cross the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel on Wednesday. And Virginia Beach Emergency Medical Services officials issued a warning that people should not attempt to surf.

Hampton Assistant City Manager Mary Bunting, who oversees public safety, kept in regular contact Wednesday with the city's emergency management coordinator, police chief and fire chief as city officials actively monitored different sections of the city for storm surges, tides and rainfall. The city is using an automated system to telephone residents at Paula Maria apartments, which is prone to flooding during heavy rain.

There were reports of flooding Wednesday night blocking access to Armistead Avenue, between LaSalle Avenue and Mercury Bourlevard in Hampton.

Newport News Fire Chief Kenneth Jones, who also heads the emergency management team, said tides are the city's greatest worries.

"Right now, the tides are the critical issues," Jones said. "The big concern is if something happens early in the morning. Once the water starts going over the curb, it rises pretty quickly."

Ken Spirito, executive director of Newport News/Williamsburg International Airport, said Wednesday afternoon that there were no major flight delays.

"We advise travelers to check on the airline's Web site and check their flight number to make sure it's on time before coming out to the airport."

Copyright © 2009, Newport News, Va., Daily Press