Woodburn, Virginia, is located approximately 160 miles from the Atlantic coast, and while its distance from the coast allows some buffer from direct hurricane landfall, it doesn't make the town immune from the potential impacts of a hurricane, especially the rainfall it may bring. The town is situated at a low elevation which significantly increases its risk of flooding during heavy rainfall—an attribute commonly seen during tropical storms and hurricanes. Historically, Woodburn has experienced numerous cases of flooding due to such weather events. Due to its geographical location, the town is prone to be in the path of remnant hurricanes moving inland or north along the coast.

Over the last 30 years, Woodburn has seen impacts from major hurricanes including hurricanes Floyd (1999), Isabel (2003), and Michael (2018). These storm events brought heavy rain, high-velocity winds, and caused significant flood damage to areas of Woodburn. Hurricane Floyd, in particular, was notable for its heavy rain in Virginia, reportedly causing the deaths of four individuals due to flash flooding. These historical storm events remind us of the potentially severe impact hurricanes may have in Woodburn, and underscore the need for comprehensive emergency preparedness measures to protect the town's residents and infrastructure.