County: Highland
ZIP Codes: 24465
Monterey, Virginia, while located some distance from the coast, is still potentially susceptible to the indirect impacts of hurricanes, particularly due to its elevation and terrain. Monterey is situated in the mountainous region of Highland County, which could increase the risk of landslides and dangerous flash flooding in the event of heavy rainfall associated with a hurricane. Furthermore, its elevation tends to lead to cooler temperatures, which can interact with tropical moisture to create significant precipitation events. In regard to flood risk, Monterey lies within a region where flooding has occurred historically, especially in areas adjacent to local rivers and streams, further compounded by the mountainous terrain. However, considering its inland location, the town is usually shielded from the most destructive hurricane impacts such as storm surge and high-level winds. In terms of historical hurricane impacts, Virginia as a whole suffered extensive damage from Hurricane Fran in 1996 and Isabel in 2003, but respective records for Monterey show less severe repercussions. Additionally, the Flood of 1985, spurred by the remnants of Hurricane Juan, affected much of western Virginia but there is limited documented impact for specifically Monterey. As the climate changes, however, it's important for the residents of Monterey to remain prepared for potential increases in storm intensity and precipitation levels, leading to a potentially higher future risk of storm-related impacts.