County: Fairfax
ZIP Codes: 22306, 22307
Groveton, Virginia, while not located directly on the coast, is still susceptible to the impacts of hurricanes and tropical storms, especially those that make landfall along the Eastern Seaboard. Its proximity to the coast (roughly 4 hours) and relatively lower elevation make it prone to experiencing heavy rainfall and significant flooding from these storm systems. Even with storms that make landfall further south, moisture is often funneled up into the area, leading to substantial precipitation and potential flooding threats. This effect is often exacerbated by the fact that when hurricanes and tropical storms move inland and slow down, they can produce prolonged periods of heavy rainfall. Over the last 30 years, Groveton has faced impacts from significant storm events, including hurricanes Fran (1996), Isabel (2003), and most recently, Hurricane Sandy in 2012. Each of these storms resulted in notable flooding in the area due to prolonged and heavy rainfall. History suggests that while Groveton may not face the most severe direct impacts of a hurricane, such as extreme wind or storm surge, its major threat lies in the potential for heavy flooding. Therefore, when considering the potential storm impacts for Groveton, priorities should be placed on flood preparation and mitigation.