County: Mathews
ZIP Codes: 23066, 23064
Gwynn, Virginia, situated on the eastern coast, faces a considerable risk from hurricanes, especially given its proximity to the Chesapeake Bay and the Atlantic Ocean. Given its geographic orientation, the town is highly susceptible to seasonal fluctuations in tropical storm patterns as they advance from the southeastern United States. Gwynn's relatively low elevation can result in significant flood risks associated with the storm surge and heavy rains that often accompany these weather events. The town has limited natural protections against these destructive storm surges making them a significant concern. Historically, severe hurricane events such as Hurricane Isabel (2003) and Hurricane Matthew (2016) have demonstrated the vulnerability of Gwynn and the surrounding regions to these storms, causing extensive damage, primarily due to flooding. The increasing frequency and intensity of such climatic events in recent years have further exacerbated the risks. Therefore, in planning for future hurricane threats, emphasis should be placed on developing comprehensive disaster preparedness strategies including but not limited to evacuation plans, infrastructure reinforcement, flood mitigation and recovery planning.