Introduction
Hampton Roads' Annual Hurricane Season begins on the first day of June.
These pages are offered here in the hopes that they will assist you in preparing for any storms we may experience this hurricane season. They were compiled by the PAO Staff during last year's hurricane season and were found to be both informative and useful.
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Preparing for a Hurricane
When the National Weather Service issues a hurricane watch, that means hurricane conditions are possible in the Hampton Roads area. It is essential that you keep yourself informed about the progress of the hurricane and take the necessary preparedness actions so as to minimize property losses and personal risk.
Here is some advice for area residents for actions to be taken as hurricane approaches the area:
- Check often for official bulletins from local radio, television, and internet web sites in the area.
- If you live in an oceanfront community or in an area prone to flooding, make some preliminary plans about where you will go if you decide to evacuate.
- People in mobile homes should plan to relocate to a more sturdy structure.
- Make arrangements for the relocation of pets should you plan to evacuate later to a shelter. Pets cannot be taken to evacuation shelters.
- Make sure you get refills on needed prescriptions and other personal supplies.
- Have extra batteries for radios and flashlights, and make sure you have enough to last several days. Do not rely on candles in an emergency; they pose a significant fire hazard.
- Fill up the gas tank in your car. Remember, gas pumps may not work when the power goes off.
- Stock up on packaged foods and canned goods that require little or no cooking and no refrigeration.
- Have clean, air-tight containers to store sufficient drinking water for several days. It's also wise to fill tubs with extra water.
- Obtain sheets of lumber to protect the glass on large windows and doors. Make sure you also have the needed supplies for installing them and for making emergency repairs. Taping of windows provides virtually no protection against breakage from flying objects, although it may lessen the scattering of broken glass.
- Boat owners should remove small boats from the water and secure them on high ground. Boats at dockside should be outfitted with extra bumpers and lines. Large craft should be relocated to more sheltered anchorages and rigged for heavy weather. Make sure bilge pumps are in operation. Never ride out a storm on a boat.
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Storm Conditions - What They Mean
Hurricane Conditions
- Hurricane Condition III: Destructive winds in excess of 64 knots or greater associated with a tropical system are anticipated at Navy Norfolk activities within 48 hours.
- Hurricane Condition II: Destructive winds in excess of 64 knots or greater associated with a tropical system are anticipated at Navy Norfolk activities within 24 hours.
- Hurricane Condition I: Destructive winds in excess of 64 knots or greater associated with a tropical system are anticipated at Navy Norfolk activities within 12 hours.
Tropical Cyclone Conditions
- Tropical Cyclone Condition V: Destructive winds associated with a tropical system are anticipated at Navy Norfolk activities within 96 hours.
- Tropical Cyclone Condition IV: Destructive winds associated with a tropical system are anticipated at Navy Norfolk activities within 72 hours.
- Tropical Cyclone Condition III: Destructive winds associated with a tropical system are anticipated at Navy Norfolk activities within 48 hours.
- Tropical Cyclone Condition II: Destructive winds associated with a tropical system are anticipated at Navy Norfolk activities within 24 hours.
- Tropical Cyclone Condition I: Destructive winds associated with a tropical system are anticipated at Navy Norfolk activities within 12 hours.
Tropical Systems
- Tropical Depression: Tropical system with wind speeds to 33 knots that is expected to intensify.
- Tropical Storm: Tropical system with wind speeds from 34-63 knots.
- Hurricane - Category 1: Winds of 64 to 82 knots. Storm surge 4 to 5 feet above normal.
- Hurricane - Category 2: Winds of 83 to 95 knots. Storm surge 6 to 8 feet above normal.
- Hurricane - Category 3: Winds of 96 to 113 knots. Storm surge 9 to 12 feet above normal.
- Hurricane - Category 4: Winds of 114 to 135 knots. Storm surge 13 to 18 feet above normal.
- Hurricane - Category 5: Winds above 135 knots. Storm surge more than 18 feet above normal.
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Shelter Checklist
Shelter living will have its inconveniences. You should come prepared to cooperate to get you and your family through the storm. Bedding and the availability of food cannot be guaranteed in short-term sheltering situation. When going to a shelter, you will need to consider the following:
- No pets are allowed
- Bring bedding
- Bring water and food
- Bring medication/prescriptions
- Bring change of clothing
- Bring toiletries/personal items
- Bring personal identification
- Bring games, books, or activities to pass the time
- No smoking, alcohol or weapons are allowed
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Emergency Phone Numbers
Cities
- Chincoteague: 336-6519
- Franklin: 562-8581
- Hampton: 727-6414
- Norfolk: 441-5600
- Poquoson: 868-3501
- Portsmouth: 393-8551
- Suffolk: 923-2110
- Virginia Beach: 427-4228
- Williamsburg: 220-6220
Counties
- Accomack: 789-3610
- Isle of Wight: 357-2151
- Gloucester: (804) 693-4042
- James City: 566-4315
- Newport News: 926-7000
- Northampton: 687-0443
- Southampton: 653-3015
- York: 890-3600
Other
- VA Pilot Infoline: 640-5555, press 1237
- Electricity
- Virginia Power: (888) 667-3000
- Albemarle Electric Corp.: (252) 426-5735
- Cape Hatteras Electric Corp.: (252) 995-5616
- Telephone
- Bell-Atlantic of Virginia: 954-6888
- GTE Virginia: (800) 483-1000
- Mid-Atlantic Sprint Carolina: (252) 977-7100
- Natural Gas
- Virginia Natural Gas: 466-5550 (after 5 pm: 466-5500)
- Suffolk: 539-2376, (after 5 pm: 873-6200)
- Hampton: 873-1322 (after 5 pm: 466-5500)
- Newport News: 873-6200
- Commonwealth Gas: 543-8911 or (800) 544-5606
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Related Links
Hurricane and Weather Links
Hampton Roads City Links
Other Links
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Provided as a service by the CINCLANTFLT Public Affairs Office
Last Updated: 01 June 2015