Hurricane Evacuation Guide
This guide covers hurricane preparedness, know your zone, how to evacuate, evacuation routes and more.
Know Your Zone
Are you in zone A, B, C or D? Get to KnowYourZoneVA.org to find your storm evacuation route. Evacuation zones designated A through D are in place across coastal Virginia.
In the event of a storm or other emergency, residents of one or more zones may be directed to evacuate depending on tides, storm intensity, path, and other factors.
Norfolk State University is in Zone C
When a storm is approaching, emergency managers will determine which zones are most at risk considering the intensity, path, speed, tides and other meteorological factors. Learn more
Government authorities will provide information to facilitate orderly evacuation (routes for travel, etc.)
NSU Safe will provide further specific information and directions for students, faculty and staff.
General Guidance
Get your car ready.
Make sure your car is ready before the storm hits.
- Fill your car's gas tank.
- Move cars and trucks into covered areas, if possible.
- Always keep an emergency kit in your car.
If you don't own a car, consider making plans with friends or family to get a ride if you need to evacuate.
Be ready to evacuate
Always listen to authorities regarding whether you should evacuate or stay at home.
If a hurricane is coming, you may hear an order from authorities to evacuate-- Never ignore an order to evacuate. Even sturdy, well-built buildings may not hold up against a hurricane. Staying home to protect your property is not worth risking your health and safety.
You may hear an order to shelter in at home. If driving conditions are dangerous, staying at home might be safer than leaving.
If you are ordered to evacuate:
- Grab your emergency supply kit and only take what you really need with you (cell phone, chargers, medicines, identification like a passport or license, and cash).
- Unplug your electrical appliances. Elevate expensive items off the floor if possible.
- Follow the roads that emergency officials recommend even if there's traffic. Other routes might be blocked or flooded. Never drive through flooded areas—cars and other vehicles can be swept away or may stall in just 6 inches of moving water.
If you must stay home, let someone know your specific location:
- Keep your emergency supply kit in a place you can easily access.
- Listen to the radio or TV for updates on the hurricane.
- Stay inside. Even if it looks calm, don't go outside. Wait until you hear or see an official message that the hurricane is over. Sometimes, weather gets calm in the middle of a storm but then quickly gets bad again.
- Stay away from windows—you could get hurt by pieces of broken glass or flying debris during a storm. If possible, move to a room with no windows, or go inside a closet.
- Stay ready to leave. If emergency authorities have ordered you to leave and your home/residence is damaged, you may need to go to a shelter.