Navy Hurricane Information

 

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.

^TOP^

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.
^TOP^  

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.
^TOP^  

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
^TOP^  

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
^TOP^  

Related Links

Hurricane and Weather Links

Hampton Roads City Links

Other Links

^TOP^
Provided as a service by the CINCLANTFLT Public Affairs Office

Last Updated: 01 June 2015

Hurricane Sandy-Home Destruction

Local Notification Procedures

Inclement Weather Instructions

During inclement weather, personnel should listen to radio station 97.3 FM - WGH or watch television stations Channel 3 - WTKR (CBS) or Channel 10 - WAVY (NBC) for public announcements concerning Joint Forces Staff College reporting instructions. Personnel can also dial 443-6166 to hear a recorded message regarding closures or delays.

JFSC PD-2, Chapter 2:19

Recall Procedures

Hotline for JFSC Status: 443-6166

Joint Forces Staff College (JFSC) will use its recall procedures to notify all students and necessary JFSC personnel of the requirement to report and what specific times to report. Each student as well as necessary JFSC personnel will be called with the recall decision. If there is any confusion or callers need more information, they should call the quarterdeck at 443-6076.

JFSC PD-2, Chapter 2:20

Weather Announcements

Hotline for JFSC Status: 443-6166

  • General notifications go out under "Sewells Point Area" banner.

Hurricane Shelters

For updated shelter notices

  • Call Infoline at 640-5555, press 1237; or the Norfolk Line at 664-4010; or the Virginia Beach Line at 427-3580, press 630.
  • Tune in to local TV, radio and online coverage.

If you go to a shelter

  • Bring: toilet articles; prescription medicines; one complete change of clothes; lawn chairs, loungers or cots; sleeping bags or blankets; baby food, formula and diapers; a flashlight with batteries; and children's items, such as soft toys, games and books.
  • Don't bring: Animals, weapons and alcoholic beverages.
The Virginian-Pilot
© November 24, 2001

JFSC Personal Shelters

JFSC PD-23, section 2.1.2 [pdf]

Normandy Hall is the designated disaster shelter for the college's alpha personnel. Those personnel requiring shelter will be evacuated to local civilian shelter or evacuated to Fort A.P. Hill, as directed by the Commandant.

Last Updated: 02 June 2014

Additional Hurricane Information