These Are The 11 Biggest Risks of Living In Virginia
By Anna Strock|Updated on September 29, 2021(Originally published September 24, 2021)
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Anna Strock
Author
Virginia staff writer for Only in Your State, freelance writer and journalist. Even though Anna has lived other places, somehow Virginia is where she always seems to land.
When it comes to natural disasters, sure, we have them here in Virginia. We’ve been knocked around by hurricanes and hit by tornadoes – we’ve even had a west coast-worthy earthquake. Fortunately, these things are fewer and farther between than a lot of other places. And overall, we have it pretty good.
But, you know the saying, nothing worth having is without some risk. With that being said, there are still a few things that you’ll have to look out for living in Virginia. At the end of the day, I think you’ll agree — living in Virginia is absolutely worth any risk involved!
One thing to know about living in Virginia is that driving can be tricky, especially when it comes to traffic. Moreover, Virginia ranks in the top 10 places where you’re most likely to get a ticket and the top 2 for most expensive tickets. We have a maximum $2,500 fine here…ouch. And, radar detectors? Definitely illegal.
These nasty little buggies are small, but carry some big dangers. In Virginia, the Lone Star Tick, dog tick and blacklegged tick (a.k.a., deer tick), are the ones to watch out for. Not only do they leave nasty bites behind, they can transmit some pretty scary infections, including the most common, Lyme’s disease, which is transmitted by the blacklegged tick. Be sure to check yourself and your pets after hiking, walking through tall grass or spending any extended outdoor time in popular tick hangouts. The sooner you catch them, the safer you are!
Hopefully, you live in a place that doesn’t get flooded, but with so many mountain valleys, rivers that rise and marshy flatlands…floods do happen. We’ve had some doozies over the years – sometimes from hurricanes thanks to our East Coast location and sometimes from too much melted snow in the mountains.
I’m the first to say that there’s nothing more beautiful than Spring in Virginia. But, you just never know what it’s going to hand you – from beautiful sunny days to snow flurries. Spring is fickle and so unless you want to camp under an umbrella or your wedding dress comes with a detachable winter cape – you might just want to pick another season. There’s a reason people wait until June after all.
I hate to say it, but Virginia ranks in the top 10 places most likely to have an accident involving deer. And that’s no fun for Bambi or for you. Most of these accidents happen between October and December, which is breeding season. And like all young kids in love, deer don’t always pay attention to their surroundings so it’s up to you to watch the roads, keep your lights on and pay attention to deer crossing signs.
I get the creeps just writing about this one…but it’s good stuff to know. Virginia has three venomous species, Eastern Cottonmouths, Northern Copperheads and Timber Rattlesnakes. There are loads more that are harmless, but as for the bitey-ones, be careful. Cottonmouths, like the one above, are water snakes and can be aggressive. Their non-venomous look-a-like is the Northern Water Snake, so FYI, cottonmouths are more likely to swim on the water’s surface and have a white inner mouth, should you care to check. But all of our water snakes can swim completely submerged and it can be easy to get them confused. (Good luck going in a river ever again.)
Copperheads, like this handsome fellow, also have doppelgangers in certain rat snakes, black racers, corn snakes and a few others. A handy thing to know about all of our venomous snakes is that they are pit vipers, so they have diamond-shaped heads – that is if you’re willing to get close enough to look.
Hopefully, Timber Rattlesnakes will give themselves away with some noise, but you don’t want to sneak up on one, all the same. If you spend a lot of time outdoors, it’s worth it to know your snakes, even in the suburbs. Just saying.
Weatherman predicts a snow flurry? Virginians stock up for a blizzard – just a warning. Considering the alternatives, Virginia is pretty lucky when it comes to snow. But we like to be prepared! Expect the stores to be crowded in anticipation. And should we get a few heavy snowfalls, you might just find some empty shelves when delivery trucks are delayed.
Remember when you were a kid at summer camp and you couldn’t go in the lake without a "swim buddy"? Turns out, it’s a good idea. With so many rivers, lakes and the amazing Atlantic Ocean at our disposal, there’s no shortage of swimming, but currents and tides can be dangerous. Check local water levels and conditions before you go and always look before you leap!
11. Ice…just because you can’t see it, doesn’t mean it isn’t there.
At least with snow, you know where it is. But when it comes to ice, all bets are off. Because sometimes temperatures will warm up in the day and drop back down at night, roads can get icy when melted snow refreezes. Keep your walks salted and be careful when the winter weather hits.
These things are definitely worth watching out for, but I don’t mind using a little caution when Virginia has so many incredible things to offer. What’s the riskiest thing about living in Virginia for you? Let us know in the comments below — we’d love to hear your thoughts!
And now that we’ve focused on some of the potential negatives of living in Virginia, be sure to check out our list of reasons why Virginia is the best state.
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living in Virginia
Beth C. |September 29, 2021
What are the best parts about living in Virginia?
Now that we've highlighted some of the biggest risks, it's time to focus on the countless wonderful aspects of living in Virginia. Where to even begin!? To start, we're grateful that Virginia experiences all four seasons. The variety of weather (as unpredictable as it may seem at times) allows us to appreciate each individual month. Moreover, Virginia has some of the most beautiful outdoor attractions on the East Coast, most of which can be enjoyed any time of the year. One of our most famous outdoor attractions is Shenandoah National Park, a linear park that follows the Appalachian Mountain Range along a scenic route known as Skyline Drive. Whether you're an avid hiker or prefer a meandering drive, you'll find there's a lot to love about this park. Lastly, it's hard to imagine Virginia without its charming small-town communities. In addition to having incredible cities, the Old Dominion is also famous for its small-town charm.
What are some more dangerous things in Virginia?
Compared to other states in the U.S., Virginia is a relatively safe place to live. That being said, there are a few dangerous aspects to living here, most of which involve wildlife and natural disasters. Hurricanes, tornadoes, and even flooding can wreak havoc, but fortunately, with ample preparation and warning, most harm can be avoided. When it comes to wildlife, you'll also find that even the most intimidating creatures prefer to mind their own business. That being said, you should be particularly cautious when it comes to snakes, as they are known for their ability to hide. While snakes won't go out of their way to harm you, they can attack when they feel threatened or provoked. Some of Virginia's most dangerous snakes include the Eastern Cottonmouth, Copperhead, and the Timber Rattlesnake. Other creatures that require caution include snapping turtles, bull sharks, and black widow spiders. Virginia is also home to a fairly large population of black bears; however, these creatures are often misunderstood and are rarely -- if ever -- dangerous to humans.
