Hurricanes, tornadoes, and other extreme weather on the Northern Neck


Storms are not uncommon on the Northern Neck. Westmoreland, Northumberland, and Lancaster counties in particular have experienced strong winds, unrelenting rain, and flooding since the 1600s. Richmond County experiences somewhat less harsh weather. What follows are some examples.

EF-1 tornado, April 6, 2017 (Irvington, Kilmarnock)

According to the National Weather Service, the maximum wind speed was 90 mph, the maximum path width was 200 yards, and the maximum path length was 2.7 miles. (Tornadoes Confirmed On April 6, 2017 (PDF)) "The Virginia Department of Emergency Management said the storm, which touched down shortly after 12 p.m., impacted 45 structures in the area and caused $2.5 in residential damage and roughly $200,000 in commercial damage." (EF-1 Tornado leaves trail of damage in Lancaster County)

Post Tropical Cyclone Sandy, October 2012 (NNK)

The Virginia Department of Emergency Management reports total damages in the state, not including economic losses, came to $16.2 million and the number of homes destroyed or damaged, also across the state, was 245.




Hurricane Isabel, September 2003



Tropical Storm Ernesto, September 2006

Tides along the Lancaster County coast were 4-5 feet and combined with waves 6-8 feet, "significant" damage was caused "to homes, piers, bulkheads, boats, and marinas…" (FEMA, Flood Insurance Study, Lancaster County, Virginia and Incorporated Areas, October 2014 (PDF)) The National Weather Service wrote "At some locations on the Middle Peninsula, Northern Neck and Eastern Shore, the tidal flooding and damage rivaled that from Hurricane Isabel in 2003." NWS also wrote "Power outages were widespread across Virginia's Northern Neck and Middle Peninsula." (The Hurricane History of Central and Eastern Virginia (PDF))

Chesapeake–Potomac Hurricane, August 1933

According to Weatherbook.com, the "Hurricane of August 23, 1933 is best known for its huge tidal surge up the Chesapeake Bay and the Potomac River." The surge inundated Colonial Beach 4 feet and destroyed a local amusement park. (1933 Chesapeake–Potomac hurricane) And according to the history of Kilmarnock (PDF), on August 23, 1933, "The 8th hurricane of the 1933 season hits the Northern Neck destroying 18 of 30 existing steamboat wharves. Most steamboat lines ended regular service vs. rebuilding. The steamboat era was over."

This is the third in a series of posts about threats and risks, especially during hurricane season.