County: Radford
ZIP Codes: 24142, 24141, 24143
Radford, Virginia, while a considerable distance from the coast, is still susceptible to the effects of hurricanes, particularly due to heavy rainfall and high winds which can cause flash floods, especially in low-lying areas of the town. Radford's location in the New River valley increases the flood risk, while the hilly and mountainous topography may contribute to landslides during prolonged and heavy rainfall events. Radford's elevation, however, offers some level of protection against the severe storm surge associated with coastal hurricanes. Over the last 30 years, major hurricanes such as Fran (1996) and Isabel (2003) have brought significant rainfall to the region, leading to flooding and wind damage. Hurricane Michael in 2018 also impacted Radford with heavy rains and strong winds, causing power outages and flooding. More so, there have been acute episodes of flash flooding, such as the flood in 1997, which have demonstrated the susceptibility of the town to sudden high rainfall events. Therefore, while direct hurricane hits are rare due to Radford's inland location, associated threats from heavy rainfall, flooding, and high winds remain a significant consideration for disaster preparedness and response planning.