County: Fairfax
ZIP Codes: 22031, 22030, 22037



Despite being located about 100 miles inland from Virginia’s coast, Fairfax, Virginia is not exempt from the potential impacts of a hurricane. Its location downstream from the Blue Ridge Mountains makes it vulnerable to heavy rain, wind damage, and secondary impacts such as flash flooding. The elevation variation within Fairfax, especially in more hilly areas, possibly intensifies flood risks. Historically, Fairfax County experiences lesser wind impacts as compared to the coastal regions during a hurricane; however, the threat of flooding is prevalent, mostly if a hurricane stalls over central Virginia and continues to dump rain after making landfall. A major concern for Fairfax is the heavy rain inundating the Potomac River and its tributaries, leading to significant flooding. As for historical hurricanes, Hurricane Isabel in 2003 was one that brought substantial impact to Fairfax, VA. Winds reached up to 58 mph, knocking down trees, power lines, and causing massive outages throughout the region. Downpours led to considerable flooding, resulting in several road closures and property damage. The remnants of Hurricane Lee in 2011 is another significant event that led to severe flooding. The strong rain event caused the ground to become saturated which led to flash flooding. Fairfax county was declared a disaster area due to the significant damage. Thus, it’s crucial for residents to understand that while Fairfax may seem geographically insulated from a direct hit from a tropical system, the secondary and tertiary effects of a storm – increased rainfall, wind damage, and flood risk – can be substantial.






This page shows the hurricane evacuation zone for Fairfax, Virginia, based on official state and local data. Your evacuation zone indicates your area’s risk from storm surge and flooding during a hurricane or tropical storm. When officials issue evacuation orders, they often do so by zone (e.g., Zone A, Zone B), so knowing your zone helps you understand when and whether you may need to evacuate. Always confirm with the official state or county evacuation zone map linked above, as boundaries can be updated.
To see evacuation zones for other cities and towns in your state, visit our hurricane evacuation zones in VA page and choose a different town. For a full list of states we cover, see hurricane evacuation zones by state. You can also use our hurricane evacuation zone by ZIP code lookup to quickly find your zone by ZIP code.
Storm surge—water driven ashore by a hurricane—is one of the greatest threats to life and property in coastal and low-lying areas. Evacuation zones are drawn using elevation, historical surge data, and flood models so that the most vulnerable areas are identified in advance. If you are in a higher-risk zone, having an evacuation plan and a go-kit ready can save critical time when an order is issued. This hurricane evacuation zone lookup gives you a clear starting point so you can plan ahead and stay informed.
Hurricane preparedness goes beyond knowing your zone. It includes having an evacuation route, a family communication plan, emergency supplies (water, food, medications, important documents), and a plan for pets. The hurricane supplies list on this page is a good basis for a go-kit. We also recommend signing up for local emergency alerts and following your state and county emergency management offices for the latest evacuation zone information and orders.
The primary evacuation zone shown at the top of this page is derived from the same type of data that state and local emergency managers use. The map on this site helps you see where Fairfax, Virginia sits in relation to zone boundaries. For the most authoritative and up-to-date boundaries, use the official “know your zone” or evacuation zone map link provided above; we link to it so you can verify your zone before and during hurricane season.
If you need to look up another address or town, return to our state evacuation zone page for VA to choose a different city or town, or go to our main hurricane evacuation zones by state page to switch states. Our ZIP code evacuation zone lookup is another way to quickly find hurricane evacuation zone information by ZIP code across the regions we support.
When a hurricane or tropical storm threatens, follow the guidance of your local emergency management office and the National Weather Service. Evacuation orders are issued based on the specific storm track and intensity, so your zone is a guide—not a substitute for official instructions. By using this site to find your evacuation zone and prepare in advance, you give yourself and your family a better chance of staying safe when the next storm approaches.