County: Alleghany
ZIP Codes: 24474, 24457
Low Moor, Virginia, while not directly along the coast, is still susceptible to the impacts of hurricanes, particularly through heavy rainfall causing flooding, high winds, and associated storm surges. Given its inland location, this town is 190 miles from Virginia's coast which can provide a buffer from the immediate impacts of a storm such as storm surges, the most common cause of death and destruction in a hurricane. Nevertheless, hurricane paths can fluctuate greatly and storms can travel further inland, bringing heavy precipitation. Coupled with Low Moor's elevation of around 1158 feet, the town could face the danger of flash floods, as water runs downhill from higher elevities surrounding the town. Studying historical hurricane data for the last 30 years, Low Moor has typically experienced peripheral effects of hurricanes, often receiving heavy rainfall causing minor to moderate flooding. For instance, Hurricane Fran in 1996 marked one of the major instances of flooding in Low Moor, resulting in significant property damage. Another significant incident was in 2004 when remnants of Hurricane Ivan and Hurricane Jeanne caused substantial rainfall, leading to flooding. Most recently, Hurricane Florence in 2018 had significant impacts on Virginia, though any direct impact on Low Moor hasn't been widely recorded. Given the increasing intensity and unpredictability of hurricanes attributed to climate change, continued assessments and preparations are integral to minimizing potential damages and ensuring public safety in Low Moor.