Every Norfolk address is in evacuation Zone A, B or C. Primary shelters: Norview High and Southside STEM, both pet-friendly. Sign up for Norfolk Alert. 757-664-6510.
Last checked Oct. 19, 2026. Facts on this page come from the City of Norfolk’s Emergency Management pages, including Know Your Zone and shelter information, and the Virginia Department of Emergency Management. The Atlantic hurricane season runs June 1 to Nov. 30.
Norfolk lists hurricanes and nor’easters among the main threats it plans for, along with flooding. Three things to do now: look up your evacuation zone, register for Norfolk Alert and know where you would go.
Who to call
- Life-threatening emergency: 911
- Police, fire, not life-threatening: 757-441-5610
- Zones, shelters, rides to a shelter: Norfolk Cares, 757-664-6510
- Emergency planning help: Norfolk Emergency Management, 757-441-5600
- Water and sewer emergencies, 24 hours: 757-823-1000
- Your flood zone: Department of City Planning, 757-664-4752
Know your zone
Norfolk uses the state’s Know Your Zone program. Every home and business in the city is in Zone A, B or C, the city’s evacuation page says. When a storm threatens, city officials order evacuations zone by zone and send the notice through every city channel, including Norfolk Alert.
- Find your zone on the Know Your Zone map or the city’s evacuation zone map (PDF).
- You may not need to leave the city. Often you only need to move out of Zone A to a safer spot in Zone B or C that is not under an order.
- The best place to go is the safest place closest to home, ideally with family or friends.
- Read the state’s hurricane evacuation guide (PDF).
Mandatory means you must leave; if you stay, responders may not be able to reach you. Voluntary means you may leave whenever you choose.
If an evacuation is ordered
The city’s checklist:
- Bring in outdoor furniture, clear loose debris, trim branches and clean drains.
- Move cars to higher ground.
- Fill the gas tank or charge an electric car to 100%.
- Close interior doors, lock doors and windows, and unplug electronics.
- Put your trash and recycling carts in the garage if you can.
- Tell an out-of-town contact your plans, and check on neighbors who may need help.
- Leave early, and follow posted hurricane evacuation route signs, not GPS apps, which may not follow the route.
Shelters
Shelters are a last resort: “a lifeboat, not a cruise ship,” the city’s shelter page says. The two primary shelters, opened first, are:
- Norview High School, 6501 Chesapeake Blvd.
- Southside STEM Academy, 1106 Campostella Road
Not every shelter opens for every storm. Openings are announced on the city website, city social media, Norfolk Alert, the Norfolk Cares line and local news. What to expect:
- Rides: if you are in an evacuation zone and need transportation, call 757-664-6510 and a handicap-accessible school bus will be sent.
- Bedding: do not expect a cot; you will likely sleep on a gym floor, so bring an inflatable mattress.
- Meals: provided by Norfolk Public Schools; bring your own if you have special dietary needs.
- Medical and access needs: shelters are ADA compliant with mental health staff on site.
- Pets: both primary shelters are pet-friendly for dogs, cats, birds, rabbits, rodents and turtles. Bring a carrier, vaccine records and proof of the city pet tag, food and medicine. Reptiles other than turtles, fish, farm animals and insects are not accepted.
Flooding and insurance
Homeowners insurance does not cover floods, and a new flood policy takes 30 days to start, the city’s flood information page warns. Check your flood zone on Norfolk AIR under the public safety tab, on FEMA’s flood map, or by calling 757-664-4752.
Sandbags and the sales tax holiday
The city’s emergency pages list no standing sandbag sites; watch Norfolk Alert for storm-specific notices. We could not confirm a 2026 Virginia sales tax holiday for hurricane supplies on the state Department of Taxation’s site when we checked. Check tax.virginia.gov before you shop on that basis.
Stay informed
- Norfolk Alert: the city’s primary emergency alert system.
- National Weather Service, Wakefield: the office that issues watches and warnings for Norfolk.
- National Hurricane Center: storm tracks and cones.
- A NOAA weather radio and spare batteries, the city recommends.
What this means for you
- Hurricane season runs to Nov. 30, and nor’easters follow in winter.
- Write your zone letter down where everyone in the house can see it.
- Plan now for pets; both primary shelters take them.
Related: power outages, trash and recycling and who to call at City Hall.
Frequently asked questions
What hurricane evacuation zone am I in in Norfolk?
Every Norfolk home and business is in Zone A, B or C. Look up your address on the Virginia Department of Emergency Management’s Know Your Zone map, or call Norfolk Cares at 757-664-6510 for help.
Where are the hurricane shelters in Norfolk?
Norview High School, 6501 Chesapeake Blvd., and Southside STEM Academy, 1106 Campostella Road, are the two primary shelters and would open first. The city announces which shelters are open on its website, Norfolk Alert and local media.
Can I bring my pet to a Norfolk shelter?
Yes. Both primary shelters are pet-friendly for household pets such as dogs, cats, birds, rabbits, rodents and turtles. Bring vaccine records, food, medication and a carrier.
How do I get emergency alerts in Norfolk?
Register for Norfolk Alert, the city’s main emergency notification system, at norfolk.gov/alert. The city also posts on its website and social media.
Can I get a ride to a shelter in Norfolk?
Yes. If you are in an evacuation zone and need transportation, call Norfolk Cares at 757-664-6510 and the city will send a handicap-accessible school bus.
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