Middlesex County, VA Environment & Hazard Risk

• HurricaneRelatively Moderate$3M/yr expected annual loss, about once every 6 years
• DroughtRelatively Moderate$606K/yr expected annual loss, about 2.6 events a year
• Coastal floodingRelatively Low$287K/yr expected annual loss, about 3.7 events a year
• Ice stormRelatively Low$47.7K/yr expected annual loss, about 1.1 events a year
• Strong windRelatively Low$276K/yr expected annual loss, about 1.1 events a year
• EarthquakeVery Low$90.9K/yr expected annual loss, about once every 775 years
• WildfireVery Low$11.3K/yr expected annual loss, about once every 5,983 years
• Heat waveVery Low$88.8K/yr expected annual loss, about 5.3 events a year
• LandslideVery Low$185/yr expected annual loss, about once every 22 years
• TornadoVery Low$228K/yr expected annual loss, about once every 9 years
• Cold waveVery Low$163K/yr expected annual loss, about once every 1 year
• HailVery Low$38.1K/yr expected annual loss, about 2.0 events a year
• LightningVery Low$37.9K/yr expected annual loss, about 41 events a year
• Winter weatherVery Low$6,320/yr expected annual loss, about 4.9 events a year

Bars show the national percentile score (0 to 100) for each hazard. Dollar figures are expected annual losses to buildings, people and crops. Not rated here: avalanche, riverine flooding, tsunami, volcanic activity.

Check the flood zone for an address

Homes with flood insurance

291 of 7,279 (4.0%)

Homes in high-risk flood zones

343

Insured in high-risk zones

141 (41%)

Flood claims since 1978

234

Claims paid since 1978

$3.2M

• Thunderstorm Wind73
• Winter Weather43
• Heavy Rain41
• Winter Storm28
• Hail15
• Coastal Flood11
• Tornado8
• Flood7
• Tropical Storm6
• Excessive Heat4

• Hurricane (Typhoon)09/18/2003

  Middlesex

  $16M damage

  What happened

  Hurricane Isabel was a Category 1 hurricane as it crossed the Wakefield WFO county warning area. Sustained tropical storm force winds with frequent gusts to hurricane force occurred over Eastern Virginia, along and near the Chesapeake Bay and Atlantic Coastal Waters. Isabel made landfall near Ocracoke Inlet in North Carolina, tracked northwest into central Virginia just west of Richmond, then continued northward into western Pennsylvania. The highest sustained wind speed recorded was 72 mph at Chesapeake Light (CHLV2). Other sustained wind speeds were 69 mph at Gloucester Point (VIMS), 61 mph at the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel, 58 mph at Norfolk Naval Air Station (NGU), 57 mph at Sewells Point, and 55 mph at Oceana Naval Air Station (NTU). The highest gusts recorded were 107 mph at Gwynns Island (Mathews County), 100 mph at Reedville (Middlesex County), 93 mph at Chesapeake Light, 91 mph at Gloucester Point, and 83 mph at Norfolk Naval Air Station. Only one confirmed tornado occurred in association with Isabel. Mandatory evacuations were ordered for parts of Hampton Roads, with approximately several thousand persons evacuated and housed in numerous shelters across central and...

• Coastal Flood09/01/2006

  Middlesex

  $9M damage

  What happened

  Tides of 4 to 5 feet above normal...combined with 6 to 8 foot waves caused significant damage to homes, piers, bulkheads, boats, and marinas across portions of the Virginia Peninsula and Middle Peninsula near the Chesapeake Bay and adjacent tributaries.

• TornadoEF2, 2.8 mi path, 400 yd wide04/17/2011

  Ruark, Middlesex County

  $6M damage

  What happened

  Tornado developed in southeast Middlesex county along the Plankatank River. It moved northeast through Deltaville then off the land and dissipated over the Rappahannock River. Thirty five homes in Deltaville sustained major damage or were destroyed by the tornado. An additional 25 homes sustained minor damage or were affected by the tornado or its associated debris. with many being severely damaged. Numerous trees were downed and many were sheared off.

• High Wind35 kt wind09/01/2006

  Middlesex

  $5M damage

  What happened

  The remnants of Ernesto along the Mid Atlantic coast combined with strong high pressure over New England produced very strong winds across eastern and southeast Virginia. Sustained winds in mph ranged from the lower 40s to near 60 with maximum gusts ranging from the mid 50s to as high as the mid 70s. Some higher sustained winds included 60 mph (52 knots) at York River Range Light and York River United States Coast Guard, and 56 mph (49 knots) at Wallops Island (WAL). Some higher maximum gusts included 76 mph (66 knots) at York River Range Light, and 75 mph (65 knots) at York River USCG. The high winds caused numerous downed trees and power outages, along with significant structural damage. Two fatalities occurred when a downed tree fell on a residence in Gloucester.

• Hurricane (Typhoon)09/15/1999

  Middlesex

  $2.3M damage

  What happened

  Hurricane Floyd was a Category 1 hurricane as it crossed the Wakefield WFO county warning area. Sustained tropical storm force winds with gusts to near hurricane force occurred over the northwest quadrant of the storm over interior portions of northeast North Carolina and along the coastal waters of the Wakefield marine area. The center of the storm crossed the county warning area along an Elizabeth City to Currituck county to Sandbridge Virginia Beach axis. The highest sustained wind speed recorded was 69 mph at Chesapeake Light (CHLV2). Other sustained wind speeds were 46 mph at Langley Air Force Base (LFI), 44 mph at Norfolk Naval Air Station (NGU), and 41 mph at Oceana Naval Air Station (NTU). The highest gusts recorded were 100 mph at the James River Bridge, 84 mph at Chesapeake Light, and 63 mph at Langley Air Force Base. Two confirmed tornadoes occurred in association with Floyd. There were approximately several thousand persons evacuated and housed in several shelters from coastal jurisdictions. Hundreds of trees and power lines were blown down across interior southeast Virginia and the immediate Hampton Roads area, resulting in widespread power outages. The tidal...

• Tropical Storm08/27/2011

  Middlesex

  $1.2M damage

  What happened

  Tropical storm force winds knocked down several trees and power lines, as well as caused some significant property damage. In addition, heavy rains contributed to significant crop damage. The highest sustained wind of 41 knots (47 mph) with a peak gust of 47 knots (54 mph) was recorded at Deltaville. Storm total rainfall generally ranged from six to eleven inches.

• Middlesex Water AuthorityServes 1,678 · Groundwater · PrivateNo health violations+1 monitoring or reporting
• Town of UrbannaServes 800 · Groundwater · Local governmentNo health violations+1 monitoring or reporting
• Bush Park Mobile Home ParkServes 400 · Groundwater · Private2 health violations+2 monitoring or reporting
• Town of SaludaServes 323 · Groundwater · PrivateNo health violations
• Coves at Wilton CreekServes 206 · Groundwater · PrivateNo health violations
• Dockside Health & Rehab CenterServes 150 · Groundwater · PrivateNo health violations+21 monitoring or reporting
• Cedar PointeServes 138 · Groundwater · PrivateNo health violations
• Meadows Mobile Home EstatesServes 105 · Groundwater · PrivateNo health violations+2 monitoring or reporting