VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. — A powerful coastal storm brought tidal flooding, high winds, and dangerous surf conditions to Hampton Roads on Sunday, transforming typically serene shorelines into storm-watching hotspots.

Despite the risks, many locals couldn’t resist heading to the water.

“I’m taking my dog Charlie for a walk, as I do every day,” said Reese Smith, who lives near the Chesapeake Bay off Shore Drive in Virginia Beach. “I see it all the time. It's beautiful out there.”

Along the Lynnhaven Inlet, some residents came not just to observe the surf, but to cast a line.

“It’s pretty rough out here, so I’m sure we’re going to have to use a sputnik,” said Glenn Hendricks of Virginia Beach, referring to the specialized sinkers needed to fish in strong surf. “But this is the time of year whe

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