Newport News, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

The "Great Flood" of '99

Photographed by Evan Dwyer, November 23, 2024

1. The "Great Flood" of '99 Marker

Inscription. On September 16, 1999, the remnants of Hurricane Floyd dropped over 18 inches of rain in less than 24 hours on Newport News Park. The Lee Hall Reservoir quickly rose almost eight feet above its normal level. Picnic areas and trail bridges were flooded, and Jefferson Avenue (Rt. 143) had to be temporarily closed. Following the storm, nearly all of the park's trail bridges, which had floated up in the high water, had to be replaced. Trails around the lake were closed a year for repairs.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Disasters • Parks & Recreational Areas. A significant historical date for this entry is September 16, 1999.

Location. 37° 11.034′ N, 76° 32.083′ W. Marker is in Newport News, Virginia. It can be reached from Constitution Way one mile east of Jefferson Avenue, on the left when traveling east. Marker is along the south bank of the reservoir, on the Two Forts Walking Trail. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Newport News VA 23608, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is on Virginia’s Peninsula,

in Hampton Roads,

in Coastal Virginia,

and in the Hampton Roads Metropolitan Area.

It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Upper South,

and in the Tidewater.

Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the original Thirteen Colonies,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Berdan’s Sharpshooters (a few steps from this marker); Custer’s Covered Way (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Mott’s Battery (about 500 feet away); Battle of Dam No. 1 (about 700 feet away); Battle of Lee’s Mill (Dam Number 1)

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

(about 700 feet away); Third Regiment Vermont Volunteer Infantry (about 700 feet away); One-Gun Battery (approx. 0.2 miles away); Peninsula Campaign Warwick River (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Newport News.

Adjacent Overlook image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Evan Dwyer, November 23, 2024

2. Adjacent Overlook

This is the same overlook shown flooded on the marker, taken from a similar angle in 2025 to show the impacts of the 1999 flood.

Credits. This page was last revised on July 5, 2025. It was originally submitted on July 2, 2025, by Evan Dwyer of Richmond, Virginia. This page has been viewed 211 times since then and 30 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 2, 2025, by Evan Dwyer of Richmond, Virginia. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.