Charles City, Virginia is located approximately 50 miles inland from the Atlantic Ocean. Its location doesn't exempt it from direct impacts or after effects of a hurricane; merely delays and somewhat buffers them. One must factor in the town's low-lying elevation, being just around 50 feet above sea level on average, which could make it prone to storm surge flooding from nearby rivers and streams. The historical flood risk for Charles City is relatively high due to its proximity to the Chickahominy and James rivers. Heavy rainfall associated with a slow-moving or stalled hurricane could cause these rivers to overflow their banks and cause serious flooding. Another potential impact is from high winds that could damage homes, infrastructure, and cause widespread power outages. In the past 30 years, Charles City has been affected by several major hurricanes and tropical storms. Among the most notable ones was Hurricane Floyd in 1999, which caused significant flooding and damage. More recently, Hurricane Isabel in 2003 and Hurricane Irene in 2011 have also had substantial impact on the town, resulting in millions of dollars in damages from floodwater and wind damage combined. These previous hurricanes remind us of the importance of preparedness and underline the fact that a hurricane's effects can be devastating, even this far inland. Over time, Charles City has adapted to these risks, but residents and officials must remain vigilant.