County: Virginia Beach
ZIP Codes: 23459, 23451, 23453, 23452, 23455, 23457, 23456, 23454, 23460, 23461, 23462, 23464, 23450, 23458, 23463, 23465, 23466, 23467, 23471, 23479
Virginia Beach, Virginia, due to its location along the Atlantic Ocean and the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay, is extremely vulnerable to hurricanes and tropical storms. These systems, particularly during the Atlantic Hurricane Season, can direct significant impacts towards the region including storm surge, strong winds, and particularly heavy rain leading to flooding. Its low-lying topography with an average elevation of just 12 feet is a risk factor for considerable storm surge and flood impacts. High wind speed could create substantial damage to buildings and infrastructure, disrupt power, and impact the significant naval presence in and around the city. From a historical context, Virginia Beach has been impacted by several major hurricanes and flooding events over the past 30 years. Hurricane Floyd in 1999 was a notable event that caused severe flooding and damage. More recently, Hurricane Matthew in 2016 resulted in extensive flood damage affecting many homes and businesses. Other significant events include 2003's Hurricane Isabel, which although not a direct hit, caused extensive power outages and structural damage. These historical events underline the severe threat hurricanes and associated flooding present to the area and illustrate the need for thorough preparation and responsiveness when such storms threaten Virginia Beach.