The risk to you depends upon various factors. Is the approaching hurricane going to be a Catagory I, II, III, IV or V storm? Where will the hurricane make landfall before it reaches your location? What will the height of the tied be at the time the hurricane makes landfall? Where is your business or residence located in respective to the approaching storm? Most important, it depends upon how prepared you are! See the Hurricane Safety & Survivability Brochure to learn how to prepare for hurricanes. This brochure was prepared by the Hampton Roads Planning District Commission with the assistance of the local city and county governments.
Do you live in an area that has been designated at risk to flooding or storm surge? Lessons learned from previous hurricanes and nor'easters have demonstrated that there are many areas in Hampton Roads that are at risk to flooding and are not specifically designated by FEMA to be in the flood plain. We urge you to obtain flood insurance on your residence, business and personal property or structural contents! It is your responsibility to be prepared. Plan what you are going to do before a hurricane strikes the region. When a hurricane is forecasted to impact Hampton Roads, you will not have much time to protect yourself and your family.
The image below illustrates approaching tracks that would be most devastating, where the hurricanes make landfall "at or near" Hampton Roads. These tracks are oriented from the East to South/Southeast. They generate the most serious combination of wind, heavy rain, storm surge and tornadoes directly impacting Hampton Roads. This scenario would have the greatest potential for severe damage and loss of life, especially if the hurricane is a Category 2, 3 or 4. The 1933 storm was the storm to affect Hampton Roads in the manner. Historical records show that hurricanes much stronger than the 1933 storm have impacted the Hampton Roads, over the last 300 years. Today, a Category 2-4 hurricane that makes landfall close to Hampton Roads would cause greater loss of life, injuries and property damage.
