County: Fairfax
ZIP Codes: 20171
McNair, Virginia, located approximately 12 miles from the coast, holds a noticeable risk during hurricane seasons. While its relatively inland positioning somewhat buffers it from initial hurricane impacts compared to coastal towns, the proximity to the coast is near enough for hurricanes to still cause substantial damage via high winds, severe rain, possible hail and in some cases, tornado generation. The town is also at a relatively low elevation (roughly 335 feet), which adds to its vulnerability, especially in terms of flooding. Looking back at the past 30 years, significant storms like Hurricane Fran (1996) and Hurricane Isabel (2003) had profound effects on McNair and its surrounding regions, with destructive winds, precipitation, and subsequent power outages. Flooding is a particular concern given the town's location near multiple bodies of water, including the Potomac River and multiple smaller creeks. Frequent occurrences of floods in the past denote this area is not entirely immune, even in the face of less intense storms. Therefore, certain steps like flood mitigation and disaster preparedness plans are recommended.