Hurricane Evacuation Guide

What is a Hurricane?

Virginia has suffered significant damage and loss of life from tropical storms and hurricanes that make landfall in other states.  There is also the threat of storms tracking up the East Coast.

All Virginians should understand the different types of watches and warnings for tropical storms and hurricanes.

Tropical Storm Watch

The National Hurricane Center issues a tropical storm watch when tropical storm conditions, including winds from 39 to 73 mph, pose a possible threat to a specified coastal area within 36 hours.

Tropical Storm Warning

The National Hurricane Center issues a tropical storm warning when tropical storm conditions, including winds from 39 to 73 mph, are expected to affect a specified coastal area within 24 hours or less.

Hurricane Watch

The National Hurricane Center issues a hurricane watch to alert specific regions when hurricane conditions are forecast for the area within 36 hours.

If you are in the threatened area, this watch should trigger your family’s disaster plan and you should begin protecting your home and property from the storm.

Monitor weather reports via television or radio to stay informed.

Hurricane Warning

The National Hurricane Center issues a hurricane warning when sustained winds of 74 mph or greater are forecast for the area within 24 hours.

All precautions must be taken Immediately.

Your family should already be in the process of securing property and relocating to a safe place if you are ordered to evacuate.

Monitor weather reports via television or radio to stay informed.

Wind Speed and Damage - Tropical Storms

Winds: 39 - 73 mph

Effects: Trees down, power outages, some roads blocked due to downed trees and power lines. Neighborhoods could lose power for several days.

Wind Speed and Damage - The Saffir / Simpson Hurricane Scale

Category 1

Winds: 74 - 95 mph

Effects: Damage to mobile homes and frame construction. Numerous trees down and widespread
power outages.

Roads blocked due to downed trees and power lines. Loose outdoor items become airborne
projectiles.

An area as large as a county could experience near total power loss.

Category 2

Winds: 96 - 110 mph

Effects: Severe damage to the majority of mobile homes and to frame construction. Many trees down.

Well-constructed homes will have damage to shingles, siding and gutters.

Extensive damage to power lines and widespread outages. Airborne debris could injure or kill.

Damage could extend well inland.

Multiple localities could experience near total power and water loss for several days.

Category 3

Winds: 111 - 130 mph

Effects: Nearly all mobile homes destroyed. Severe damage to most homes, including structural collapse.

Airborne debris will injure or kill. Severe damage to most low-rise apartment buildings with partial roof and wall failure.

Damage could extend well inland. Large portions of the affected area could experience total power and water loss for
more than a week.

Category 4

Winds: 131 - 155 mph

Effects: Catastrophic damage to residential structures. Most of the affected area will be uninhabitable for weeks or
longer.

Nearly all industrial buildings and low-rise apartment buildings severely damaged or destroyed.

Nearly all trees and power poles downed. Damage could extend well inland.

Large portions of the affected area will experience total power and water loss for weeks and possibly months.

Category 5

Winds: 156-plus mph

Effects: Similar to Category 4.