County: Mecklenburg
ZIP Codes: 23919, 23950
Bracey, Virginia, located in the southern part of the state, is somewhat shielded from the direct impact of hurricanes due to its distance from the Atlantic coast, about 60 miles inland. Nevertheless, given the possibility of extended storm paths and high-intensity rain bands extending from hurricanes along the East Coast, Bracey could still be subjected to heavy rainfalls, strong winds, and storm surges, potentially leading to flooding, particularly along the shores of Lake Gaston and nearby rivers or streams. The town has a low elevation, averaging about 335 feet above sea level, which could contribute to an increased flood risk in such storm situations.
Over the past three decades, Bracey has experienced impacts from several major storms and hurricanes. Hurricane Fran in 1996, Isabel in 2003, and Florence in 2018 each brought significant precipitation, leading to flooding and property damage in the area. Additionally, remnants from other storms have occasionally resulted in heavy rainfalls, leading to localized floods. In each of these instances, power outages, downed trees, and issues with access to roads were major impacts. As more powerful hurricanes might occur in the future due to climate change, it will be important to continue improving hurricane preparedness and flood management strategies in Bracey.