County: Fairfax
ZIP Codes: 22003, 22042
Annandale, Virginia, though located approximately 120 miles inland from the Atlantic coast, is not entirely immune to the effects of hurricanes. This distance from the coast does provide a degree of protection against direct impacts like storm surges. However, any significant hurricane that makes landfall on the Eastern seaboard has the potential to carry over into Annandale, though it would likely be significantly weakened. A main threat to the town in this scenario is heavy rainfall leading to flooding. The elevation of the town, ranging from 200 to 375 feet, doesn't provide significant protection against such flood events. Historically, areas with similar elevations and proximity to water bodies in Virginia can be prone to flooding during major storms. Historical records indicate that Annandale has experienced the effects of several significant weather events in the last three decades. In 2003, the remnants of Hurricane Isabel passed directly over the area, leading to extensive power outages and causing several trees to fall. More recently, in 2011, Tropical Storm Lee resulted in extensive flooding, causing several million dollars in damage and forcing multiple evacuations. Moreover, Hurricane Sandy in 2012, caused heavy rain, strong winds and power outages over a large area including Annandale. It is crucial for residents to take warnings and evacuation notices seriously, as these historical events prove that even inland towns can face significant impacts from hurricane-related events.