Stephens City, located approximately 200 miles inland from the Atlantic coastline and boasting an elevation of roughly 725 feet, is not directly susceptible to the initial impact of a hurricane's high winds and storm surge, as communities along the coast are. However, it can still experience significant impact from hurricanes and tropical storms, including heavy rainfall and subsequent flooding, particularly if the storm tracks inland along the east coast. While storm surge is not a concern, the town's water systems, like Opequon Creek and town streams, could experience increased levels, leading to potential flooding. The city's elevation reduces flood risk somewhat when compared to lower lying areas but does not eliminate it entirely. Historically, Stephens City has faced impacts from storms like Hurricane Camille in 1969 and Hurricane Agnes in 1972, which has caused considerable flooding in the southern Shenandoah Valley. In 1996, the remnants of Hurricane Fran brought heavy rains, causing moderate to severe flood damage. More recently, in 2011, Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee caused minimal flooding in Stephens City. Despite these instances, Stephens City has a relatively low flood risk compared to areas closer to the coast or lower in elevation. Regardless, it's crucial for residents to maintain vigilance during hurricane season and follow all storm watches and warnings, factoring in the potential impact of heavy rainfall, flooding, and high wind speeds.