County: Portsmouth
ZIP Codes: 23709, 23708, 23704, 23707, 23701, 23703, 23702, 23705



Portsmouth, Virginia's geographical position near the coast of the Atlantic Ocean exposes it to considerable risk from hurricanes, tropical storms, and their associated impacts including wind damage and flooding. The city is almost at sea level with most areas below 12 feet. This low elevation combined with the proximity to the coast increases the town's susceptibility to storm surge and flooding, especially in regions closer to the Elizabeth River and its various branches. Flash floods due to heavy rainfall are also not uncommon during hurricane events. In terms of past hurricane impacts, Hurricane Isabel in 2003 was one of the most significant events, causing widespread destruction due to high winds, rain, and a storm surge. More recently, Hurricane Matthew in 2016 affected Portsmouth, with significant rainfall causing flooding. Beyond these named hurricane events, Portsmouth has also suffered flood damage in numerous unnamed or lesser storms over the past three decades. Therefore, the town's residents should be prepared for the possibility of evacuation, possessing a plan and necessary supplies, keeping an eye on weather reports, and heeding any warnings or notices from local authorities. The potential for severe winds and heavy rainfall affecting infrastructure and homes is also considerable, and property owners may want to consider this in their disaster preparedness and insurance plans.






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