Hurricane shelters should be considered a last option; a place to go if it is unsafe to stay at home and you are unable to ride out the storm with a friend or relative.
If you do go to a shelter, know that they are often crowded. Be prepared to live in close quarters with strangers for several days. Secure your home and shut off utilities (water, gas, electricity) before leaving.
Because each situation is unique, only certain shelters may be opened during an emergency. Local TV news programs and radio stations should have up-to-date information on shelter locations and opening times.
Shelters operate according to rules established by the American Red Cross. Please familiarize yourself with these rules (see below) before going to a shelter.
Virginia Beach Shelters
Medical Shelter
The Virginia Beach Field House serves as a Medically Friendly Shelter. The MFS is only activated for a Category 2 or greater hurricane or as directed by the City Manager. The MFS is for people who, during periods of evacuation or emergency, requires sheltering assistance due to physical, mental or cognitive impairment, or a sensory disability that exceeds the basic level of care provided at a general population shelter, but does not require the level of care provided at a skilled medical facility. Includes help with administering medication, personal hygiene assistance with activities of daily living (washing, dressing and eating. The MFS is not for people who have significant medical problems, injuries or illnesses and/or that require total dependence on others for care. Examples: Bedridden, have NG tubes for feeding, require monitoring and pain management after recent injury, surgery or who are contagious.
Primary Shelters
| Bayside Elementary School |
5649 Bayside Rd. |
| Birdneck Elementary School |
957 South Birdneck Rd. |
| Corporate Landing Middle School |
1597 Corporate Landing Pkwy. |
| Cox High School |
2425 Shorehaven Dr. |
| Green Run High School |
1700 Dahlia Dr. |
| Landstown High School |
2001 Concert. Dr. |
| Landstown Middle School |
2204 Recreation Dr. |
| Salem High School |
1993 Sun Devil Dr. |
| Salem Middle School |
2380 Lynnhaven Pkwy. |
Secondary Shelters
| Centerville Elementary School |
2201 Centerville Turnpike |
| Corporate Landing Elementary School |
1590 Corporate Landing Pkwy. |
| Glenwood Elementary School |
2213 Round Hill Dr. |
| Hermitage Elementary School |
1707 Pleasure House Rd. |
| Kempsville Meadows Elementary School |
739 Edwin Dr. |
| Landstown Elementary School |
2212 Recreation Dr. |
| Linkhorn Park Elementary School |
977 First Colonial Rd. |
| New Castle Elementary School |
3828 Elbow Rd. |
| Parkway Elementary School |
4180 O'Hare Dr. |
| Rosemont Elementary School |
1257 Rosemont Rd. |
| Strawbridge Elementary School |
2553 Strawbridge Rd. |
| Tallwood Elementary School |
2025 Kempsville Rd. |
Shelter Rules
- You must sign in before being officially admitted into any shelter
- "Shelter hopping" is not permitted
- You are responsible for your belongings. Valuables should always be locked in your car or kept with you. The shelter is not responsible for lost, stolen or damaged items.
- Parents are responsible for controlling the actions of and knowing the whereabouts of their children. Children should not be left unattended.
- If you have a medical condition or are taking medication, please notify the shelter registrar for referral to the nurse.
- Noise levels should be kept at a minimum during all hours of the day. Quiet hours are observed between 11 p.m. and 7 a.m.
- Please do your best to keep the shelter as neat and orderly as possible.
What to Bring to a Shelter
Be sure to bring enough supplies to last at least three days for each family member.
| Bottled water |
Canned/packaged food |
| Manual can opener & cooler |
Disposable plates, cups, utensils etc. |
| Portable flashlight & batteries |
Battery powered radio, TV |
| Folding chairs |
Change of comfortable clothing and shoes |
| Blanket/sleeping bag/cot & pillow |
Quiet games, toys, books, cards |
| First aid kit and any medications |
Toiletries, glasses/contacts, hearing aids & dentures |
| ID, car keys, credit cards & cash |
Special-diet foods |
| Photocopies of important papers (i.e. insurance policies) |
Baby supplies (i.e. food/formula, diapers, etc.) |
Prohibited Items
- Alcohol, drugs, other illegal substances
- Pets (except assistance dogs)
- Loud radios or televisions
- Smoking, matches, lighters
- Weapons of any kind (guns, knives, chains, etc.)
It Is a Good Idea to Consider Going to a Shelter If:
- You live in an evacuation zone where there likely will be flooding.
- You live in a mobile home or trailer
- You live in a high-rise. Winds are much stronger at higher elevations
- You know your building is unsafe and you can't repair it before the storm
- You use life-support equipment that requires electricity
If none of these conditions apply to you, you should think about staying put and fortifying your home, something experts call "sheltering in place." However, if your house is not prepared and fortified or windows and doors are not properly covered, even the weaker winds at the perimeter of a hurricane can cause serious damage.