NK, CC dodge major bullet

Inside New Kent's Emergency Operations Center, interim New Kent fire chief Lisa Baber briefs county officials (from left) Chief Deputy Joe McLaughlin, acting county administrator Rodney Hathaway, Sheriff F.W. "Wakie" Howard Jr., and District 5 Board of Supervisors member Ray Davis on equipment ready for emergency response. At bottom, storm surge flooding combined with high tide has submerged and cut off from shore docks like the one pictured in the Chickahominy Shores subdivision in Lanexa in New Kent County.

Alan Chamberlain Photos

Residents and officials in New Kent and Charles City counties are breathing a huge sigh of relief after the area escaped significant damage from Hurricane Sandy.

The powerful storm, which hammered New Jersey, New York, and other states to the north, caused only minor flooding and scattered power outages in New Kent and Charles City. There have been no reports of structural damage or injuries in the area.

Forecasters had painted a worst-case scenario for the area, predicting tropical storm force winds and hurricane force gusts along with torrential rain. The dire forecast brought back unpleasant memories of Irene’s devastation last year and Isabel’s impact in 2003. Fortunately, however, none of that happened, and much can be attributed to the storm’s track, which kept powerful winds normally generated on the eastern side of a hurricane away from the area.

“Thank goodness it didn’t materialized,” said a relieved New Kent Sheriff F.W. “Wakie” Howard Jr. “I’m just surprised that the meteorologists missed it so badly.”

“I don’t think the wind got over 40 miles per hour, and that was the gusts,” said chief deputy Joe McLaughlin.

Rain totals are in the 2-4-inch range, well below the up to eight inches that forecasters had predicted.

New Kent county officials wrapped up their response to Sandy with a teleconference briefing Tuesday morning that the Chronicle sat in on with representatives from the sheriff’s office, county administration, fire/rescue, and social services.

Overall, a few scattered power outages were reported, mostly in the Eltham, Plum Point, and Barhamsville areas of the county. And unlike Irene, there were no reports of trees toppling onto houses.

The county closed its Emergency Operations Center at 6 a.m. Tuesday. Officials, meanwhile, reported that only a handful of residents sought refuge at the county’s emergency shelter located at New Kent High School.

“We never had more than one person at a time at the shelter,” said Howard.

If calls come in from people requesting shelter, they will be directed to the fire/rescue station in Providence Forge, said McLaughlin.

Roads remained open except for two stretches that were temporarily blocked by downed trees. South Waterside Drive (Route 627) at Fanny’s Creek along the Chickahominy River in Lanexa flooded, forcing closure for about three hours at high tide on Monday.

Several other roads experienced high water, but at least one lane remained open, officials said.

Acting county administrator Rodney Hathaway said county offices reopened at 10 a.m. Tuesday, adding, “It’s basically business as usual.”

As the teleconference concluded, officials exchanged kudos over the outcome.

“I felt good throughout the whole event that we were very well prepared,” said Hathaway.

Howard added, “Everybody got along so well and worked as a team.”

In Charles City, county administrator Zach Trogdon said no damage has been reported.

“We have had crews on the road to survey the area, but as of now, there is no extensive damage,” he said. “I have been in touch with the board [of supervisors] and along with myself, we are grateful that the storm passed us.”

The county had opened an emergency shelter at Charles City High School, but as of 9 a.m. Tuesday morning, it was closed. There have been no reports of loss of power in the county or significant road closures.

“The county and the staff did a great job in preparing for this event,” added Trogdon. “It could have been a lot worse but we were adequately prepared.”

The county resumed normal operations on Tuesday.