County: Halifax
ZIP Codes: 24534
Clover, Virginia's inland location, approximately 150 miles from the coast, somewhat diminishes direct hurricane threats, but they certainly could fail to evade other significant hurricane impacts such as flooding from heavy rainfall, high winds, and tornadoes spawned by the storm systems. Its relatively low elevation (approximately 450 ft) potentially enhances flood risks. Historically, this region has experienced highly impactful hurricanes, Hurricane Fran (1996) and Hurricane Michael (2018) for example, which are known for causing extraordinary rainfall and resultant flooding. These storms also brought severe winds inland, causing damage to structures and vegetation. When we review the historical data for the last three decades, we see that Clover has had some significant weather-related incidents. Primarily, floods that occurred in the aftermaths of hurricanes as they deteriorated to tropical storm levels; such was seen particularly after Hurricane Fran. Major hurricanes, like Isabel (2003) and Irene (2011), tracked through Virginia, although Clover did not undergo their most severe impact, it still faced considerable wind damage. The more devastating impacts were distant but serve as reminders of potential threats. Thus, while Clover is somewhat cushioned from direct coastal storm impacts, the heavy rains and flash flooding, often associated with downgraded hurricanes and tropical storms as they move inland, tend to form the most serious threat to this locale.