County: Bland
ZIP Codes: 24366
Rocky Gap, Virginia, while further inland from the Atlantic coast, still faces potential hurricane impacts, especially from heavy rainfall leading to flooding, strong winds, and possible landslides due to the town's elevation in the Applachian Mountains. The town's elevation can intensify rainfall due to orographic lift effect, making it susceptible to flash floods during large storm events. Additionally, the strong winds of a hurricane can bring down trees and cause significant property damage, power outages, and blockages in transportation routes. In terms of historical examples, there have been a notable number of tropical systems affecting this area over the last few decades. In 1985, the remnants of Hurricane Juan dumped heavy rainfall, causing severe flooding in southwestern Virginia. More recently in 2004, remnants of Tropical Storm Gaston led to serious flooding in parts of Virginia. Hurricane Florence in 2018 also brought significant rainfall to the area. While Rocky Gap has not suffered a direct hit, these events underline potential risks. Planning, preparedness, and close monitoring of weather forecasts during hurricane season are crucial for residents of Rocky Gap.