County: Albemarle
ZIP Codes: 22903, 22904



The University of Virginia, located in Charlottesville, Virginia, while around 140 miles inland from the nearest coast, is still susceptible to hurricane threats, notably in terms of extreme rainfall resulting in high flood risks. Being located in the Southern Piedmont region and having an elevation of approximately 420 feet provides a certain level of protection from storm surge impacts, which are more threatening closer to the coastline. However, it doesnât provide complete insusceptibility, especially to widespread flooding caused by excessive rainfall, a common occurrence in hurricanes. The area has multiple bodies of water around it, like the Rivanna River, which can contribute to this risk. Historically, notable storms that have affected the area within the last three decades include Hurricane Fran in 1996, which caused significant rainfall through central Virginia leading to widespread flooding, and the remnants of Hurricane Isabel in 2003, which brought high winds and copious amounts of rain to the region. Moreover, remnants of Hurricane Camille in 1969 caused devastating floods in and around Charlottesville, killing over 150 people in Virginia. While these events have not directly hit the University of Virginia, the impacts were closely felt and should be factored in future hurricane preparedness planning. Climate change projections also suggest more intense rainfall events with hurricanes, posing a more signifiant threat of flooding in the future.






This page shows the hurricane evacuation zone for University of Virginia, based on official state and local data. Your evacuation zone indicates your areaâs 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 surgeâwater driven ashore by a hurricaneâis 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 University of Virginia sits in relation to zone boundaries. For the most authoritative and up-to-date boundaries, use the official âknow your zoneâ 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 guideânot 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.