County: Loudoun
ZIP Codes: 20147
Belmont, Virginia, while not directly situated on the coast, can still experience significant impacts from hurricanes, largely due to the heavy rainfall and intense winds that these systems can drive inland. This can result in severe flooding, especially given Belmont's proximity to the Potomac River. The nature of Belmont's topography with its rolling hills can exacerbate this flood risk, as heavy rain can quickly accumulate in valleys and low-lying areas. Wind damage is also a major consideration, as hurricane force winds can fell trees and cause structural damage to homes and other buildings. In terms of historical hurricanes, Hurricane Isabel in 2003 and Hurricane Sandy in 2012 stand out as two major storm events that impacted Belmont and greater Loudoun County significantly in the past 30 years. Isabel brought strong winds, resulting in extensive power outages and tree fall, while Sandy's primary impact was major flooding. Also of note is the major flooding event of 1996 associated with the Blizzard of '96 and subsequent warm rain event; this event caused significant flooding along the Potomac River and tributaries, illustrating Belmont's vulnerability to flood events. These events highlight the variety of potential hurricane impacts Belmont can face, even though it is not a coastal town.