County: Alleghany
ZIP Codes: 24448
Iron Gate, Virginia, situated 223 miles from the Atlantic coast and at an elevation of around 963 feet, does not bear the immediate brunt of hurricanes as coastal towns do. However, it's not entirely immune to the impacts of severe weather systems. Particularly, heavy rains associated with hurricanes or tropical storms can pose a significant risk of flooding in this area, given its proximity to the Jackson River. Historically, the town has dealt with higher amounts of rainfall in short durations which have caused minor to moderate flooding from the overflow of this river. Reviewing historical weather data, most notably, Hurricane Isabel in 2003 caused considerable damage in Virginia, including Iron Gate, even though the town is located far inland. The aftermath of the hurricane brought severe flooding, power outages, and high-speed winds that downed trees and caused structural damages. Additionally, the remnants of Hurricane Camille in 1969 caused catastrophic flash flooding and mudslides in the area, despite the storm's central landfall being located in Mississippi. While Iron Gate has a relatively lower hurricane threat, factors like its river adjacency, patterns of storm remnants, and experiences with past hurricanes suggest that the town should still implement substantial hurricane preparedness and flood mitigation strategies.