The Rye Cove Cyclone was the deadliest tornado in Virginia history. Part of an unusual outbreak of tornadoes across the eastern United States on May 2, 1929, it hit the Rye Cove School in the Appalachian highlands of Scott County in the southwestern part of the state, killing twelve students and one teacher and injuring fifty-four.
Scott County native A. P. Carter volunteered to help in the wake of the tragedy and the events inspired him to write the song "Cyclone at Ryecove", that the Carter Family recorded on November 22, 1929. Not certain why Carter spelled their original version "Ryecove" instead of "Rye Cove". It is copyrighted as "Ryecove" as well.