County: Botetourt
ZIP Codes: 24090
Fincastle, Virginia, despite being situated approximately 200 miles inland from the coast, is not immune to the threats posed by hurricanes. While direct hurricane landfalls in this area are extremely rare, residual effects like heavy rainfall, strong winds, and even occasional tornadoes can be problematic. These effects can lead to significant flooding, especially given the town's higher elevation in the Blue Ridge Mountain region which often leads to runoff and potential flash flooding, making these significant issues of concern. Fincastle's topographic features also make it vulnerable to landslides, downed trees, and power outages during heavy rain and strong wind events. Looking back over the last 30 years, major hurricanes and floods have occurred that significantly affected Fincastle. Hurricane Fran in 1996 brought heavy rain to the region, leading to major flooding. More recently, remnants of Hurricane Michael in 2018 also led to widespread flooding across southwestern Virginia, with Fincastle suffering from significant rain and wind-related impacts. Thus, while Fincastle's risk from storm surge is virtually non-existent due to its distance from the coast, the threat of flood and wind damage from hurricanes remains a significant consideration for this region.