County: Wise
ZIP Codes: 24293



Wise, Virginia, while located at a significant distance from the coast, is not immune to the impacts of hurricanes or tropical systems. The town's inland location lessens the threat of storm surge, which tends to cause the most damage in coastal regions during a hurricane. However, its elevated geography in the Appalachian Mountains means that it is susceptible to heavy rainfall, which can cause considerable flooding and landslides. These flooding concerns are particularly significant given Wise's known risk for high flood damage; it lies within a zone characterized by both a 1% Annual Chance Flood Level and a 0.2% Annual Chance Flood Level. Historically, Wise has felt the peripheral effects of multiple major hurricanes, including Hurricane Hugo in 1989 and Hurricane Florence in 2018. The passage of Hurricane Hugo resulted in high winds, heavy rain, and significant flooding. Hurricane Florence primarily resulted in high floodwaters, leaving parts of the county inaccessible. These major storm events have shown the potential for significant impacts in Wise, so while it is not directly on the coast, the town must remain prepared for possible hurricane impacts, primarily flood risk. In the event of a storm, evacuation routes could potentially be compromised due to floodwaters, and extended power outages could occur due to downed trees and power lines. This could also limit emergency services and rescue efforts. Therefore, it is essential for the community to have comprehensive disaster plans in place.






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