ReadyVB: Be Prepared for Unpredictable Spring Weather

As Virginia Beach residents have found in the past few years, weather can be unpredictable here in the spring with the possibility of storms, flooding and even tornadoes.

Virginia Beach Emergency Management, the Virginia Department of Emergency Management and the National Weather Service want to make sure that residents are prepared for seasonal threats such as tornadoes, severe storms and flash flooding. It is also a great time to remind residents to build an emergency kit and plan. 

The weeklong observance of Severe Weather Awareness Week is March 9-13. It includes the Statewide Tornado Drill at 9:45 a.m. on March 10.

Residents can stay informed during local emergencies including major weather events by signing up for VBAlert. Text “VBAlert” to 67283 or register at VirginiaBeach.gov/VBAlert to receive important messages and emergency alert notifications from the City of Virginia Beach during inclement weather. You can select what type of alerts you want to receive and how to receive them. 

Residents can also find valuable resources, tips and information on how to prepare before, during and after an emergency at VirginiaBeach.gov/ReadyVB. 

Take Action Before Severe Weather Hits 

Preparation is key to staying safe and minimizing impacts during severe weather. It’s important for residents to be ready for any major incidents such as hurricanes and flooding, which coastal areas are prone to, or tornadoes such as the one that touched down in April 2023 in Virginia Beach.  

• Create a Communications Plan: Have a family plan that includes an emergency meeting place and a contact list during an emergency. If you live in a mobile home or home without a basement, find a nearby safe building that you can get to quickly. 
• Safe Room: Find a place in your home such as an interior room. Avoid windows. Go to the lowest floor, small center room (such as a bathroom or closet), under a stairwell, or in an interior hallway with no windows. Metal bathtubs may offer a shell of partial protection, but plastic or fiberglass ones are easily penetrated by projectiles. Even in an interior room, you should cover yourself with some sort of thick padding (such as a mattress or blankets) to protect against falling debris in case the roof and ceiling fail.  

Stay Ahead. Stay Informed. 

Stay informed by knowing your severe weather terminology. This includes:  

• Watches: Issued when conditions are favorable for the event to occur. Does not mean the event will occur. 
  • Tornado watch means that conditions are favorable for the development of thunderstorms capable of producing tornadoes. 
• Warnings: Issued when the threat of life and property is imminent, occurring and heading your way, or high likelihood of occurring. Take appropriate action to protect life and property. 
  • Tornado warning means that a thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado is imminent. Take shelter now.  

Resources 

• Emergency Preparedness website: Residents can find more valuable resources and information on emergency preparedness at VirginiaBeach.gov/ReadyVB.  
• Sign up and Subscribe: In addition to signing up for VBAlert, residents are also encouraged to subscribe to the City of Virginia Beach’s weekly email newsletter “Be in the Know” at VirginiaBeach.gov/BeInTheKnow. 

How Virginia Beach Prepares

The City is continually adapting and improving its ability to prepare for and respond to any future emergencies and disaster situations. Its Emergency Operations Plan spells out a framework for the City to respond to impacts on the community from human-made, natural or technological disasters. It includes roles and responsibilities for City departments and agencies in preparing for and responding to all types of hazards and especially those deemed at high or moderate risk. Storms and flooding have been identified as high risk for the city.  

City staff in each department are designated to work during emergencies, and each department takes specific actions to prepare for possible emergency situations in relation to its role.  

The City of Virginia Beach Emergency Management team promotes a comprehensive emergency management program to mitigate Virginia Beach's impacts from human-made, natural or technological disasters. Learn more at VirginiaBeach.gov/ReadyVB.  

• ReadyVB
• VBAlert
• Be in the Know