County: Tazewell
ZIP Codes: 24637
Pounding Mill, Virginia, is located about 330 miles inland from the Atlantic Ocean. While the town's significant distance from the coast reduces the risk of direct hurricane impacts such as storm surges, it is still susceptible to the damaging effects of these cyclones, most notably heavy rainfall, which could result in flash and river flooding. The town sits at an elevation of 2,486 feet, which means it's less prone to flooding compared to other lower regions. However, hurricanes moving inland can unload enormous amounts of rain over the Blue Ridge Mountains, where Pounding Mill is located, leading to dangerous flash floods and landslides. Historically, Pounding Mill hasn't been directly hit by a hurricane since such storms usually lose their intensity by the time they reach this far inland. However, tropical cyclones have brought considerable rainfall here. Examples include hurricanes Isabel in 2003 and Floyd in 1999, which led to flash floods in southwest Virginia after unloading several inches of rain. The residents are urged to avoid low-lying areas, practice safe driving during rains, and always heed weather and flooding warnings, as flash floods can occur without much warning. In fact, hurricane preparedness and flood safety measures are just as crucial in Pounding Mill as they are in more coastal Virginia areas.