City of Winchester hurricane guide¶

City of Winchester Emergency Management works toward a safe community resilient to disasters through public awareness, partnerships, and coordination. The city's page covers flood safety, shelter planning, and emergency alerts. Sign up for the city's emergency alerts before a storm, and never walk, swim, or drive through floodwater.

Checked on October 9, 2026

Every phone number and web address on this page was checked against official sources on that date. Details can change, especially during a storm. Always follow instructions from City of Winchester Emergency Management. In a life threatening emergency, call 911.

What to know in City of Winchester¶

The city's emergency management page says six inches of moving water can knock you down and one foot can sweep away a vehicle. It says to evacuate if told to, never drive around barricades, and stay off bridges over fast-moving water. It links the city floodplain map and the FEMA Flood Map Service Center.

Emergency and information numbers¶

Service	Number	Notes
Emergency	911	Police, fire, and ambulance. Call only when someone's life or property is in danger.
City information line	540-667-1815	Winchester City Hall. Not for emergencies.
Police non-emergency	540-662-4131	Winchester Police Department. For police matters that are not emergencies.
Road and traffic conditions (VA511)	511	Evacuation routes and road closures.

Official alerts and information¶

Winchester Emergency Alerts: Free alerts by text, email, or phone. Sign up before a storm. Website.
City notification system: The city page to get text, email, or phone alerts during emergencies. Website.
Winchester Emergency Management: The city's emergency management page, with flood safety, shelter planning, and a floodplain map link. Website.

Evacuation centers¶

Open only when announced

Evacuation centers open only when officials announce them, and not every center opens for every storm. Check the official list of open centers before you leave home. Bring your own bedding, food, water, and medicines.

The city says staying with friends or family is the best option. Winchester designates seven Winchester Public Schools and three city facilities as potential shelters, and city officials choose which to use for each emergency. Shelter locations are shared through local media, city social media, the city website, and the notification system, so check those before you go. Bring at least three days of supplies per person, including medications, ID, and bedding. Service animals are allowed, and the city says other pets are not allowed in shelters.

Sources¶

Checked on October 9, 2026. If a number or address here is wrong, please tell us at Keith@KMyers.me.