County: Rockingham
ZIP Codes: 22812
Bridgewater, Virginia, while not directly on the coast, could nevertheless be significantly impacted by hurricanes making landfall in Virginia or neighboring states. Oftentimes, these types of inland regions experience dangerous heavy rainfall, inland flooding, and damaging winds from hurricanes as they move inland and deteriorate. Bridgewater is situated at roughly 1,183 feet of elevation, which provides some natural protection against storm surge and coastal flooding, but flash flooding within the region from heavy rainfall could still pose a threat. Looking at the town's history in the past 30 years, Bridgewater has been relatively safe from major hurricanes. Nonetheless, Hurricane Fran in 1996 and remnants of other hurricanes like Florence and Michael in 2018 brought heavy rainfalls to the region and caused flooding in several areas. Additionally, the location of Bridgewater in the Shenandoah Valley means that the town could potentially be impacted by landslides resulting from a saturated ground during a hurricane. It's crucial for residents to stay informed about potential threats and take the necessary precautions during hurricane seasons.