County: Montgomery
ZIP Codes: 24073, 24068
Christiansburg, Virginia, though relatively far from the coast, is still susceptible to the effects of hurricanes. The typical hurricane threat in this area is mainly due to the intense rainfall that these tropical systems can produce as they move inland, which could lead to a significant flood risk. Given its moderate elevation, Christiansburg could experience accelerated runoff, causing streams and rivers to flood rapidly. Historically, areas surrounding Christiansburg have been prone to flash flooding, particularly in the mountainous regions. Looking back at the past 30 years, one of the most significant weather events for Christiansburg was the remnants of Hurricane Fran in 1996, which caused devastating flooding in parts of Virginia. Furthermore, the remnants of Hurricane Florence in 2018 also led to considerable rainfall in the area. These historical events underscore that while Christiansburg is not on the coast, tropical systems can still move enough inland and carry enough energy to produce substantial rainfall and cause flooding. Therefore, the community must consider these risks and plan for such eventualities, even though the likelihood of direct hurricane-force winds is low.