County: Franklin
ZIP Codes: 24088
Ferrum, Virginia, located in the Blue Ridge Mountains, is relatively insulated against direct hurricane threats due to its significant distance from both the Atlantic coast and the Gulf coast. Its higher elevation also reduces the risk of storm surge, which is a common threat in coastal communities during hurricanes. However, Ferrum is not entirely immune to the effects of hurricanes. Although it may not experience the initial brunt of the storm, it can face serious challenges from the remnants of hurricanes in the form of heavy rainfall, which can lead to flash flooding, especially in creek and river valleys, landslides due to saturated soils, and high winds causing tree-fall and related damages. In terms of historical hurricane impacts, the remnants of Hurricane Fran in 1996 and Hurricane Isabel in 2003 brought heavy rain and wind to Ferrum and broader Franklin County. Streams and rivers in the area, including the Pigg River, can flood from significant rainfall events, affecting the lower-lying areas. Ferrum also experienced significant flooding during the flood of 85’ caused by remnants of Hurricane Juan, which resulted in extensive property and infrastructure damage. These instances reveal that while Ferrum may be somewhat shielded from the direct impacts of hurricanes, careful monitoring and disaster preparation for the aftermath of these storms is important, given their potential to produce extreme rainfall and subsequent flooding.