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Virginia has a variety of severe weather throughout the year. As the winter season ends, tornadoes, thunderstorms, hurricanes, heavy wind, hail, and flooding rain are an expected part of the spring weather patterns. Whether you're new to Virginia or have lived here for some time, we have well-sourced and helpful information to help you prepare and protect your family and property when severe weather season hits.
It's important to have a plan for your family ahead of the chance for severe weather. Here are some planning tips:
Tornadoes can occur in Virginia during any season and at any hour, day or night. They are most common from early spring through July and between 4 p.m. and 9 p.m. To stay safe, be sure to sign up for local weather alerts and learn the warning signs that a tornado may be approaching your area.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)/ National Weather Service issues both tornado watches and warnings. However, there are critical differences between the two alerts. A tornado warning means a tornado has been detected or spotted, while a tornado watch indicates that a tornado is possible.
Storms often give subtle signals before a tornado forms. They can develop rapidly, but there are often warning signs. Warning may include:
To stay safe during a tornado indoors, put as many walls between you and the outside as possible. If you can, get under something solid, such as a sturdy table, or use a mattress to shield yourself from flying debris. Because most injuries from high winds come from airborne objects, be sure to protect your head. If available, wear a bicycle or motorcycle helmet to help prevent head injuries.
Tornadoes can occur in Virginia at any time of day or night. Many people are caught off guard when a tornado strikes after dark because they may not receive alerts right away, and it is very difficult to see tornadic activity in low visibility. To stay informed, keep a weather radio set to alert mode and subscribe to local emergency weather notifications.
Stay ahead of local weather, especially before you head out the door and get on the road. Track storms and make appropriate preparations for the worst-case scenario. The Virginia Department of Emergency Management (VDEM) has great resources for your family when storms are approaching Virginia. They also have an active Facebook page you can follow.
The National Weather Service for Virginia has social media communication channels in 4 regions:
You can also report a road issue to the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) at 1-800-367-7623 (FOR-ROAD). Just don't report hazards while you're driving. Pull over safely or wait until you get home. For life-threatening emergencies, please dial 911.
Click the links for updated flight information.
Locate your home insurance documents, policy number, and contact information for your local agent. If you're a Northern Neck Insurance member, access your policy documents through your online member account.
If you are in a mobile home when a tornado warning is issued, leave immediately and move to a safer, sturdier location. Even if the home is tied down, you are likely safer elsewhere.
Keep all windows closed and all doors shut, including interior and garage doors.
Secure infants and young children in car seats, even when you are sheltering indoors.
Choose an interior room with no windows on the lowest level of your home—such as a basement, storm cellar, bathroom, or closet—and use it as your shelter area. Stock it with pillows, helmets, and sturdy shoes.
Keep pets with you by placing them on a leash or in a carrier.
If you lose power, avoid using candles whenever possible. If you must use them, keep them at least three feet away from children, pets, and anything that can burn.
Use extra caution around lightning, even when you are inside your home.
After any severe storm, damage could occur, including downed trees on your property, power outages, broken glass, and more.
If your home experiences damage during a severe weather, you may call your local agent for advice. Your agent can help you with your specific situation. Have your policy number and a list of questions ready: Am I covered? What's my deductible? When can I expect an adjuster to come to inspect the damage? What are the next steps?
When you're ready, the best way to report your home insurance claim is using your NNINS online member account.(opens in a new window) At your convenience, you can provide all your claim details and upload all your documentation, such as photos, police reports, and *receipts. You can also call our 24/7 Claims Hotline at 877-968-7252. Keep in mind, you may experience longer than normal wait times if a large storm resulted in many claims.
Damage caused by tornadoes, such as wind, hail, lightning, falling objects, or debris, can be covered under standard homeowners policies and an auto insurance policy's optional comprehensive car insurance. Check out our storm damage claims article.The best way to report and track a power outage in your area is by using online platforms. Electric utility companies can be inundated with phone calls. Utilize the links below to report an outage online and find information about electric utilities in your region.
Stay home if you are able! While travel is sometimes unavoidable, delaying leaving home or work until severe weather passes is safest. Prepare to travel before imminent severe weather by contacting transportation sources for up-to-date travel information. If hail or flooding is in the forecast, moving your car to higher ground or under cover into a garage is a good idea.
Believe it or not, wet roads are the common weather influence of car crashes. Hail can cause costly damage to your car. Prepare to drive safely in the rain and protect your car from hail damage during and after severe weather with the following tips:
The Virginia 511 Information System provides the latest traffic and road conditions by phone, website, and app.
The VDOT Safety Patrol provides free-of-charge services for interstate trouble, such as tire change assistance, fuel at the nearest gas station, jump starts, phone access, and directions.
Virginia State Police is active on Twitter: @VSPPIO and Facebook: @VirginiaStatePolice
Follow the Virginia Department of Transportation for local travel advisories on Twitter in your local area:
Follow the VDOT Facebook Page and join the following Facebook groups for local advisories:
You can also report a road issue to the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) at 1-800-367-7623 (FOR-ROAD). Please don't report hazards while you're driving. Pull over safely or wait until you get home. For life-threatening emergencies, please dial 911.
THE NORTHERN NECK INSURANCE INTEGRITY PROMISE — We pledge to provide straight talk and good counsel from our NNINS Virginia insurance experts through our blog. While we hope you find this to be a helpful source of information, it does not replace the guidance of a licensed insurance professional, nor does it modify the terms of your Northern Neck Insurance policy in any way. All insurance products are governed by the terms in the applicable insurance policy.