County: Sussex
ZIP Codes: 23867
Jarratt, Virginia, situated approximately 70 miles inland from the Atlantic coast, is not typically at immediate risk from storm surge of a landfalling hurricane, but it can still experience significant impacts from hurricanes and tropical storms in the form of excessive rainfall, high winds, and potential for localized flooding. While the town does have some elevational advantage being roughly between 90-110 feet above sea level, this doesn't eliminate the flood risk entirely, particularly as Jarratt lies near several bodies of water, including the Nottoway River and Hicksford Creek. Intense and prolonged precipitation from a hurricane could certainly cause these water bodies to overflow their banks, posing a flood risk to nearby communities. Historically, Jarratt has been affected by several major weather events. For instance, in 1996, Hurricane Fran brought significant rainfall to Virginia, resulting in widespread flooding. The remnants of Hurricane Floyd in 1999 also caused significant flooding in southern and eastern Virginia. Additionally, in 2003, Hurricane Isabel led to millions of dollars in damage across the state with high winds and flooding. These previous events show that while Jarratt's position inland does afford it some protection from hurricane impacts, the risk is still prevalent, especially from associated rainfall and wind impacts. Emergency management should always be prepared for potential flooding, wind damage, and associated hazards during hurricane season.