Independence, Virginia, situated within Grayson County and well inland from the coast, has a lower hurricane impact potential compared to coastal towns. However, significant impacts can occur, particularly from heavy rain leading to flooding, and strong winds causing damage to structures and trees. The town's elevation, at just over 2,000 feet, can increase the amount of rainfall received as storms rise up from the lower elevations, but also provides some degree of protection from storm surges which primarily affect coastal regions. Historically, Independence has been impacted by several major storm systems. Hurricane Hugo in 1989 brought damage to Grayson County as winds and rain caused extensive power outages and flooding. More recently, Tropical Storm Michael in 2018 devastated parts of Virginia, and while its effects were less pronounced in Independence, it still caused significant rainfall and subsequent flood concerns. Given these past events, and the increasing frequency of extreme weather due to climate change, it is important to consider both wind and flood damage risk in Independence, especially in low-lying areas near rivers and streams. Future hurricanes may also have a wider reach inland, potentially impacting this area more severely in the future.