County: Isle of Wight
ZIP Codes: 23314, 23430
Benns Church, Virginia is situated in the low-lying and coastal Hampton Roads region, which makes the town vulnerable to the impact of hurricanes. Its relative proximity to the coast implies that it's often subject to the storm surge, high winds, and heavy rainfall associated with hurricanes. The town sits at a relatively lower elevation which could pose a significant risk of flash floods or riverine flooding during storm events. An important thing to remember is that the local waterways around Benns Church contribute to the flood risk, as these could overflow their banks from the heavy rain. In terms of historical hurricane impacts, the town has witnessed a few significant weather events over the past 30 years. The most noteworthy amongst these is probably Hurricane Isabel in 2003, which caused extensive structural damage and flooding in the region. Additionally, Hurricane Matthew in 2016 also had a profound impact, with its heavy torrential rains leading to substantial flooding. Therefore, the community should be prepared for potential evacuation scenarios, particularly for those living in flood-prone areas, and should take into account the added risk of storm surge and strong winds which might disrupt power supply and uproot trees.