County: Burke
ZIP Codes: 30816
Keysville, Virginia, while quite inland from the Virginia coast, is still susceptible to the threats posed by hurricanes, particularly torrential rainfall and subsequent flooding risks. The town's elevation fluctuates, but it does not exceed 500 feet above sea level, which implies that prolonged, heavy precipitation could lead to flooding especially in lower-lying areas. Additionally, Keysville hosts creeks like Horsepen Creek, which could overfill and spill over during such events. The risk for high winds and direct storm surge is lower due to Keysville's distance from the coast, but downed trees and power outages are still potential problems during strong hurricanes. In terms of historical context, Hurricane Fran in 1996 had significant impacts across the state of Virginia, including areas like Keysville as it produced heavy rains leading to flash flooding. More recently, the remnants of Hurricane Michael in 2018 brought excessive rainfall to portions of central and southern Virginia causing major flooding. Potential direct risks for Keysville from hurricanes include wind damage to structures, power outages due to fallen trees, and possible flash flooding. Mitigation measures should be considered to reduce flood risks and improve emergency response planning.