Lobby Display for January 1996

Norfolk Virginia -- Flood of 1933

Hurricanes began to be named according to the phonetic alphabet in 1953. On August 23, 1933, an unnamed hurricane struck Norfolk with a high tide of 9.69 feet above Mean Low Water, a record for the area. Eighteen people died. Highest 1 minute wind speed in Norfolk was 70 mph, 82 mph at Cape Henry, and 88 mph at NAS. Downtown Norfolk was flooded and homes were destroyed at Ocean View.


[IMAGE: People waist-deep in water beside flooded automobiles]

Granby Street
in front of the
Monticello Hotel.
[IMAGE: People rowing boats down Granby Street]

Granby Street
Rowing boats past
Stein's Clothing Store.
[IMAGE: Water up to car windows]

Granby Street
Flood waters pass parked
car and enter stores.
[IMAGE: Ocean waves wash over house]

Ocean View.
High seas destroy
oceanfront home.
[IMAGE: Collapsed house]

Ocean View.
House without
a first floor
after the storm.
[IMAGE: House without foundation]

Ocean View.
House swept from
its foundation by
flood waters.
[IMAGE: Row of collapsed houses]

Ocean View.
Row of collapsed houses
as flood waters recede
[IMAGE: Workmen haul debris]

Ocean View.
Workmen begin
the cleanup effort.

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