Harriston, Virginia is settled inland, roughly 100 miles from the Atlantic coastline, which lessens but does not entirely eliminate its risk from hurricanes. The town's elevation of 1,158 feet above sea level provides a buffer against coastal storm surge, but heavy rainfall from a slow-moving or stalled hurricane could potentially induce flash flooding, particularly along any lower-lying areas or bodies of water, such as rivers or creeks, in or near the town. As shown in the past, it's typically the high precipitation and subsequent flooding that poses significant hazards to these regions. Historically, Harriston has been impacted by remnants of major hurricanes that have made landfall along the Virginia coast and continued inland. Notably, in 2003, Hurricane Isabel caused extensive wind damage and flooding throughout Virginia, including areas like Harriston situated far from the coast. In 2011, Hurricane Irene followed a similar path and, while it did not match Isabel's severity in Harriston, it still served as a reminder of the hurricane threat in the area. Additionally, the town experienced significant flooding in 1985 in the aftermath of Hurricane Juan, affecting many homes and businesses, which highlights the town's susceptibility to flood events. Therefore, future hurricanes and tropical storms passing through the region could potentially pose similar risks.