County: Albemarle
ZIP Codes: 22901, 22903, 22945
Ivy, Virginia, though reasonably inland, may not be entirely safe from the impacts of a hurricane. The town is situated approximately 1,150 feet above sea level, and around 130 miles from the Atlantic coast, a distance that doesn't exempt it from hurricane threats considering the typical size and reach of Atlantic hurricanes. Ivy can still experience heavy rainfall and strong wind gusts from a hurricane or tropical storm even if the storm's center makes landfall on the coast. The more intense the hurricane, the farther inland its effects can be felt, potentially resulting in localized flooding, downed trees, and power outages. Regarding historical context, Ivy has experienced hurricane impacts before. For instance, Hurricane Fran in 1996 caused significant wind and water damage in Ivy and other surrounding areas of Albemarle County. More recently, in 2018, the remnants of Hurricane Michael passed through the region, dropping substantial rainfall that led to flash flooding. These events warrant continuous hurricane preparedness efforts in the county, including measures to lessen the impact of flooding and improved infrastructure resilience to withstand strong winds. The municipality should invest in these areas to help ensure the safety of the residents in future hurricane seasons.