Emergency Evacuation
During a hurricane, citizens of Newport News will be advised when to evacuate the City. The evacuation routes are shown on Map 8-5. The Department of Engineering and the Police Department will manage traffic control and security. During a –Category 1 or 2 Hurricane Treat—the Hampton Roads Hurricane Traffic Control Plan will be activated to evacuate people most at risk in Hampton Roads. During Phase 1, before the onset of tropical force winds, Hampton, Poquoson, Norfolk and Virginia Beach have priority for using the westbound lanes of I-64. Newport News residents are relegated to using Jefferson Avenue (Route 143), Warwick Boulevard (Route 60) or Mercury Boulevard (Route 17) across the James River Bridge. During phase 2 Newport News citizens in low lying areas will be allowed on I-64. Through both phases of evacuation access to west bound 664 will be available to southeast Newport News residents. Please note that the Hurricane Surge maps have changed increasing the areas affected that will impact on evacuations and numbers of households and businesses affected. These changes may impact the National Flood Insurance Program policies.
I-64 Lane Reversal
During an extreme hurricane threat – Category 3 or 4, the Governor may order the reversal of I-64 to I-295 in Richmond, redirecting the eastbound lanes of I-64 to westbound. Once an inspection by the Virginia State Police determines the new westbound lanes of I-64 are clear to Richmond, Newport News residents may use the westbound lanes. All south side traffic will be directed to the east bound lanes of I-64. The decision to one way I-64 must be made no later than 24 hours prior to arrival of tropical force winds (39 MPH).