County: Rockingham
ZIP Codes: 22834, 22802
Linville, Virginia, being located in the Shenandoah Valley and over 150 miles inland from the Atlantic Coast, is relatively shielded from direct hurricane impacts such as significant storm surge and high wind speeds. However, since Virginia is still within the Atlantic hurricane basin, remnants of hurricanes can potentially bring heavy rainfall to the area, leading to a risk of flash floods. Linville is located at an elevation of over 1,200 feet above sea level, which can minimize flood risk in comparison to lower lying areas. Still, heavy and prolonged rainfall can result in runoff from the surrounding mountains, which could contribute to local river and stream levels and increased risk of localized flooding. In terms of historic hurricanes and floods, the remnants of Hurricane Fran in 1996 caused severe flooding in many parts of Virginia, including the Shenandoah Valley, and could have likely impacted Linville. More recently, in 2018, remnants of Hurricane Florence brought heavy rainfall and resulted in flooding in parts of the Shenandoah Valley. While large hurricanes do not often directly hit the region around Linville, the potential for heavy rainfall and flooding from these storms should be considered as a relevant threat. Proactive measures such as flood preparedness, evacuation plans, and adequate infrastructure to handle potential flood waters can mitigate the impacts of these storm systems.