County: Henry
ZIP Codes: 24078, 24112
Collinsville, Virginia, while not directly on the coast, can still experience serious impacts from tropical systems, including hurricanes. The town is located approximately 170 miles from the Atlantic coast and at an elevation of around 869 feet. This inland position and higher elevation somewhat reduce the direct threat of storm surges and coastal flooding that coastal regions usually bear. That said, heavy rainfalls that accompany hurricanes can cause flash floods and riverine flooding due to Collinsville's proximity to the Smith River. Collinsville's relatively flat topography may increase the risk of prolonged water pooling and flooding. Historically, Collinsville has not been exempt from major storm systems. The most significant recent impact was from Hurricane Michael in 2018, which led to widespread flooding and power outages across the region. Before Michael, remnants of Hurricane Fran in 1996 also brought heavy rains to the area, causing significant damage due to flooding. Consequently, the major concerns in Collinsville during hurricane threats would be vastly related to heavy rainfalls, strong winds, and their associated impacts such as flooding, downed trees and power lines, and potential landslides in steeper areas surrounding the town. Hence, storm preparations should be performed regularly, with a focus on potential flooding impact.