County: Charlottesville
ZIP Codes: 22908, 22901, 22902, 22903, 22904, 22905, 22906, 22909



Charlottesville, Virginia, although somewhat protected due to its distance from the coast and its rising elevation, is not immune to the threats posed by hurricanes. The Blue Ridge mountains to the west do offer some shield, but heavy rainfall can result in widespread flooding. The remnants of hurricanes that make landfall on the coast often retain enough power to cause damage in the form of strong winds, heavy rain, and subsequent flooding. Notably, the potential for flash floods in Charlottesville is high due to the hilly terrain and the city’s location near the Rivanna River and its several tributaries. Flooding has historically been a significant concern in this area during major storms. In terms of historical impact, Hurricane Camille in 1969 and Hurricane Isabel in 2003 are key examples of hurricanes whose remnants have caused substantial destruction in Charlottesville. Camille, a Category 5 hurricane, caused catastrophic flash flooding, while Isabel's heavy rains and strong winds led to widespread power outages and structural damage. More recently, in 2018, the remnants of Hurricane Michael also led to flash flooding in parts of Charlottesville. While traditionally coastal regions have been notably susceptible to hurricanes, Charlottesville's history shows that inland areas like this city too must to take hurricane threats seriously and plan accordingly.






This page shows the hurricane evacuation zone for Charlottesville, 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 Charlottesville, 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.