Sudley, Virginia, is located approximately 70 miles inland from the Atlantic coastline, reducing direct exposure to the landfall of hurricanes, but storms can still have significant impacts. The varying elevation in this area, which ranges from 200 to 400 feet, might also affect the impact of hurricanes. The potential impacts include heavy localized rainfall-induced flooding and sustained high winds, which can bring about property damage, power outages, and uprooted trees. Additionally, Sudley is situated near the confluence of Sudley Springs and Catharpin Creek, a watershed of the Potomac River, so ultimate susceptibility to flooding depends largely upon the severity of a storm and resulting water levels of these bodies of water. As a weather historian, looking back over the past 30 years, there have been a few noteworthy hurricanes and tropical storms that have impacted Sudley and its surrounding areas. One of the most significant is Hurricane Fran in 1996, whose remnants brought heavy rainfall to Northern Virginia, inducing flooding and extensive damage. Additionally, although Hurricane Isabel in 2003 hit landfall in North Carolina, it had considerable impacts across Virginia, with notable power outages and wind damage reported in Sudley. Finally, in 2011, the remnants of Tropical Storm Lee caused severe flooding throughout the region due to substantial, persistent rainfall. Therefore, while direct hurricane hits are not Sudley’s primary threat, the town should still be prepared for the ancillary effects of tropical systems, especially flooding.