Make a Plan

An emergency plan provides a framework to keep your family safe during a crisis.

Emergency preparedness checklist closeup with pen

Build a Kit

It could take several days for help to arrive during a disaster. It is important to have a three-day supply of necessary items for each member of your household.

Emergency kit items on table

Protect Your Property

Ensure your personal belongings and assets are secured. Have an extra copy of important documents such as insurance papers and financial documents.

House with blue siding and paved path to door

Know Your Hazards

Understand the various threats and hazards that could occur in Virginia Beach. Some events are more likely to occur than others and could require additional preparation.

Roadway covered with flood water

Critical Hazard - High Risk

  • Flooding
  • Tropical/coastal storm
  • Sea level rise and land subsidence

Critical Hazard - Moderate Risk

  • Winter storm
  • Tornado
  • Hazardous materials incident

Non-Critical Hazard - Low Risk

  • Earthquake
  • Wildfire
  • Flooding due to impoundment
  • Failure/high hazard dam
  • Pandemic flu/communicable disease
  • Radon exposure

Negligible

  • Extreme heat
  • Landslide/shoreline erosion
  • Drought

Learn About Emergency Preparedness

Emergency Management staff are available to deliver presentations, set up emergency preparedness exhibits at local festivals or fairs and work with organizations, business, nonprofits, and others to strengthen the community’s emergency preparedness. Complete the form to request EM at your next event.

Emergency Management tent and activites at event
    • Report a Problem Accessible Resources Animals & Pets Adoptions, Shelters & Licensing Animal Control Dog Friendly Parks & Beaches Rabid Animals​ Courts & Jury Duty Elections & Voting Register to Vote Emergency Preparedness Before Make a Plan Make a Kit Protect Your Property Prepare Your Pets for Disasters Know Your Hazards During Evacuating Evacuation Centers After Stay Informed VBAlert VBCERT Homes & Neighborhoods Neighborhood Associations Property Search Housing & Homelessness Launch Virginia Beach Considering a Business Create a Business Plan Choose a Business Structure Finance Your Business Regulatory Requirements Hiring Your Workforce Starting a Business Steps to Launching a Business Registering a Business Choosing a Location Businesses Near Oceana Expanding Your Business Doing Business With the City Government Contracting Opportunities Small Business Resources Documents & Forms FAQs Glossary of Terms Incentives Managing Your Workforce SWaM Training Sessions The HIVE's Workshops Tax Rates & Deadlines Closing Your Business The HIVE - Business Resource Center Learning Colleges, Universities & Trade Schools Public Library Public Schools Virginia Beach GrowSmart LGBTQ+ Community Resources Leadership & Legislation LGBTQ Employment Public Safety Liaisons Map Center Center for GIS Outdoor Event Permits Parking Property, Permits & Zoning Public Safety Emergency Communications & Citizen Services Emergency Medical Services Fire Department Police Department Sheriff's Office Transit and Transportation Bike, Walk & Roll Transit Road Closures & Impacts Trash & Recycling Trash Collection Recycling Collection Landfill & Drop-off Services Bulky Item & Yard Waste Collection Water & Sewer