On August 20, 1969, torrential rains following remnants of Hurricane Camille devastated this area. Rainfall in excess of 25 inches, largely within a 5-hour period, swept away or buried many miles of roads, over 100 bridges, and over 900 buildings. One hundred fourteen people died and 37 remain missing. The damage totalled more than $100,000,000, and Virginia was declared a disaster area.