PORTSMOUTH, Va. (WAVY) - The National Weather Service (NWS) has issued a Tornado Watch for much of the region throughout Friday. Helene slams the South with wind, rain and flooding after coming ashore as a Category 4 storm The watch is expected to be in effect until 6 p.m. on Sept. 27. The effected areas can be found below: Current Weather Alerts Northeast North Carolina Bertie Camden Chowan Currituck Gates Hertford Northampton Pasquotank Perquimans Southeast Virginia Chesapeake Emporia Franklin Hampton Newport News Norfolk Poquoson Portsmouth Suffolk Virginia Beach Williamsburg Greensville Isle of Wight James City Southampton Surry Sussex York According to the NWS, a watch is issued when hazardous weather is possible, but not certain. For more information on the watch area, click here. Several North Carolina school systems in the WAVY viewing area announced closures for Friday, Sept. 27 because of the weather. Elizabeth City-Pasquotank Public Schools, Gates County Public Schools and Northampton County Schools will all be closed. Jump To: A–Z Close Menu 123 A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z W Western Branch Academy Chesapeake Schools Closing early at 4:00 PM Today Back to top Continue to check WAVY.com for updates.