County: Shenandoah
ZIP Codes: 22810, 22842
Basye, Virginia, is located within Shenandoah County in the Northern region of the state. The distance from the Atlantic Coast, where most of the hurricanes that could affect Virginia usually originate, can mediate the severity of impacts within this town. However, the main concern would be heavy rainfall, which could trigger flash floods and landslides, especially considering the mountainous landscape where Basye is situated. Although hurricanes tend to lose significant strength by the time they reach this inland area, the precipitation potential remains an acute hazard factor. Historically, the remnants of Hurricane Fran in 1996 and Hurricane Isabel in 2003 brought considerable rainfall to Shenandoah County, resulting in flash floods. In more recent years, in 2018, the remnants of Hurricane Florence also impacted the area with heavy rainfall leading to flooding. Basye's high elevation and relative steep terrain can accelerate surface runoff leading to rapid water level increases in local creeks and rivers. Therefore, it's important for residents to remain vigilant during hurricane season, closely following local weather updates and being prepared to evacuate in the event of extreme weather warnings.