Hurricane Camille
Historical highway marker R-51 · Nelson County
On 20 Aug. 1969, torrential rains, following remnants of Hurricane Camille, devastated this area. A rainfall in excess of 25 inches, largely within a five-hour period, swept away or buried many miles of roads, more than 100 bridges, and more than 900 buildings. 125 people died in Nelson County. The damage totalled more than $100,000,000, and Virginia was declared a disaster area.
Virginia Historic Landmarks Commission, 1972