County: Carroll
ZIP Codes: 24328
Fancy Gap, a small town in southern Virginia, presents unique considerations when it comes to hurricane threats. While its inland location, nestled in the beautiful Blue Ridge Highlands, provides some protection against the initial onslaught of coastal hurricanes, its vulnerability to torrential rainfall makes it susceptible to flooding in the aftermath of a tropical cyclonium. Due to its considerable elevation (over 2,700 feet), storm surges are not a primary concern; however, heavy rainfall could lead to water runoff and flood risks, especially within the valleys and low-lying areas. Power outages can also occur, because strong hurricane winds, though reduced by distance from the coast, still can topple trees and power lines. The noted history for Fancy Gap does not record the direct impact of any major hurricanes in the last 30 years, but several hurricanes have brought significant rainfall to the area, leading to regional flooding. A prime example is Hurricane Fran in 1996, which caused widespread rainfall events and subsequent flooding in Virginia, although primarily to the east of Fancy Gap. Similarly, remnants of Hurricane Florence in 2018 brought heavy rainfall, causing flooding concerns in surrounding areas. Therefore, although Fancy Gap's high elevation and distance from the coast reduce its exposure to some hurricane threats, the area still needs to prepare for these heavy rainfall events and potential post-hurricane flooding as consequences of climate change may increase the risk of these events.