Hurricane Evacuation Guide
What is a Hurricane?
Hurricane watch - The National Hurricane Center issues a hurricane watch to alert specific regions when hurricane conditions are forecast for the area in the next 36 hours.
This watch should trigger your family’s disaster plan and you should begin protecting your home and property from the storm. Monitor weather reports 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 the next 24 hours.
Precautions must be taken immediately: your family should be in the process of securing property and relocating to a safe place to wait out the storm. Monitor weather reports to stay informed.
The Saffir / Simpson Hurricane Scale
CATEGORY 1
Surge: Four to five feet
Winds and effects: 74-95 mph (64-82 knots)
No real damage to building structures. Damage primarily to unanchored mobile homes, shrubbery and trees. Also, some coastal flooding and minor pier damage.
CATEGORY 2
Surge: Six to eight feet
Winds and effects: 96-110 mph (83-95 knots)
Some roofl, door and window damage. Considerable damage to vegetation, mobile homes, etc. Flooding damages piers. Small craft in unprotected moorings may break away.
CATEGORY 3
Surge: Nine to 12 feet
Winds and effects: 111-130 mph (96-113 knots)
Some structural damage to small residences and utility buildings, with a minor amount of structural failures. Mobile homes are destroyed. Flooding near the coast destroys smaller structures. Larger structures damaged by floating debris. Terrain may be flooded well inland.
CATEGORY 4
Surge: 13-18 feet
Winds and effects: 131-155 mph (114-135 knots)
More extensive structural failures, with some complete roof failure on small residences. Major erosion of beach areas. Terrain may be flooded well inland.
CATEGORY 5
Surge: 19 feet and over
Winds and Effects: 156 mph and over (135 knots and over)
Complete roof failure on many residences and industrial buildings. Some complete building failures, with small utility buildings blown over or away. Flooding causes major damage to lower floors of all structures near the shoreline. Massive evacuation of residential areas may be required.
For information about how to prepare for all types of emergencies, visit ReadyVirginia.gov.
