County: Alleghany
ZIP Codes: 24422
Clifton Forge, Virginia, while not directly on Virginia's coast, is not immune to potential hurricane threats. Being approximately 150 miles from the coast, it can still be affected by inland flooding as a result of hurricanes. The impact of hurricanes is observed mainly through heavy rainfall that causes water bodies in the area to overflow their banks. The town's relatively higher elevation does provide some safeguard against direct storm surges, although heavy rainfall coupled with the area's hilly geography could potentially result in dangerous landslides or localized flash flooding. Examining the weather history, Clifton Forge has undoubtedly faced major weather-related events, but specific impact from hurricanes is harder to gauge due to lack of precise historical data. Nevertheless, Virginia experienced significant damage from Hurricane Isabel in 2003 and remnants of Hurricane Camille in 1969 brought catastrophic flooding to western portions of the state. Other major events impacting Virginia include Hurricane Matthew in 2016 and Hurricane Florence in 2018, which contributed to substantial rainfall and flooding in some regions. Therefore, when a hurricane threatens the Virginia coast, residents of Clifton Forge should be prepared for potential impacts from intense rainfall, high winds, and subsequent flooding.