Newport News, Virginia, being a coastal city located at the southeastern end of the Virginia Peninsula, faces significant hurricane risks. Its proximity to the Atlantic Ocean and the Chesapeake Bay makes it susceptible to storm surge and coastal flooding during hurricanes. The city's relatively low elevation further heightens its flood risk during a hurricane event, even as tidal waters rise due to storm surge or heavy rain. Moreover, hurricanes also bring risks of high-speed winds which could cause considerable structural damage to buildings and infrastructure, power outages, or blowdown of trees, often causing disruptions for several days or weeks. In recent history, Hurricane Isabel in 2003 and Hurricane Matthew in 2016 had significant impacts on Newport News, causing widespread flooding and damage. During Hurricane Isabel, the city experienced sustained hurricane-force winds, storm surge flooding along the James River, and a considerable number of downed trees and power lines causing substantial power outages. Hurricane Matthew resulted in excessive rainfall over several hours, leading to widespread flooding. These historical events underline the potential risk hurricanes may bring to Newport News, warranting careful preparedness and planning by local authorities and residents alike.