Tazewell, Virginia, is located approximately 300 miles inland from the nearest coast, which is typically reflected in a fairly low risk of direct hurricane impacts. However, significant hurricanes can sometimes bring substantial rainfall far inland, potentially leading to flooding and wind damage even at such distances. Given Tazewell’s elevation, it is not generally susceptible to storm surges typically associated with coastal hurricanes, but its location in the Appalachian Mountains can lead to increased risks of flash flooding from intense rainfall.

In terms of historical precedent, Hurricane Camille in 1969 brought torrential rainfall to inland Virginia, and though Tazewell was not the most severely impacted, such an event keeps the potential for dangerous floods in residents’ minds. In the last 30 years, the remnants of hurricanes such as Ivan in 2004 and Frances in 2003 have caused significant flooding in Southwest Virginia. Hurricane Sandy in 2012 also resulted in snowfall in the area due to its large size and late season landfall. Based on these scenarios, while the risk of direct hurricane impacts in Tazewell is relatively low, residents should still be aware of the potential for flooding and wind damage from major storms, particularly during the Atlantic hurricane season from June through November.