County: Haralson
ZIP Codes: 30113
Buchanan, Virginia, located approximately 200 miles inland from the Atlantic coast at an elevation of about 853 feet, has a much lower direct hurricane threat as compared to the coastal regions. However, the area is not immune to the indirect hazards including heavy rainfall, flooding, and post-tropical cyclone tornadoes. Historically, Buchanan is prone to flood risk where the James River alongside the town has been known to overflow its banks during significant rainfall events. Over the past 30 years, Buchanan has been impacted by a handful of major tropical systems including hurricanes Fran (1996) and Isabel (2003). Fran caused flooding and severe wind damage across much of western Virginia, including Buchanan. More recently, the remnants of hurricane Florence in 2018 brought significant flooding to the region. The two major considerations for Buchanan during hurricane threats are rain-induced flooding and power outages due to high wind speeds. It's imperative for residents to follow local weather alerts and take precautions regarding their properties around these events.