County: Mecklenburg
ZIP Codes: 23924
Chase City, Virginia, while not directly situated on the Atlantic coast, is still vulnerable to the impacts of hurricanes that make landfall in the southeastern United States. Due to the distance from the coastline (around 200 miles inland), direct wind damage from hurricanes may not be the most significant threat compared to coastal areas. However, the town could experience damaging winds from downgraded tropical storms and the primary threat often comes from the associated heavy rainfall. Unlike some areas of Virginia, Chase City's elevation is moderate at approximately 485 feet, which slightly reduces the flood risk. But it's worth noting that prolonged, heavy rainfall from remnants of hurricanes can still lead to localized flooding, especially in low-lying areas and near bodies of water like the Roanoke River. In terms of a historical perspective, Hurricane Fran in 1996 and Hurricane Floyd in 1999 brought significant rainfall to this part of Virginia, causing flooding and wind damage. More recently, remnants of Hurricane Michael in 2018 passed through the region with substantial rain and wind gusts that overwhelmed local creeks and water systems, demonstrating that even though Chase City isn't right on the coast, it is far from immune to the potential impacts of hurricanes. Hence, the city's emergency management should consider these factors when preparing for future hurricane threats.