Abingdon, Virginia, which is over 200 miles inland from the Atlantic coast and has an elevation of approximately 2,100 feet above sea level, faces a moderate risk from hurricanes and associated tropical storms. Hurricanes, once they make landfall, begin to lose strength but can still cause noticeable damage this far inland, usually in the form of heavy rainfall that can lead to flooding. Flooding tends to be the main concern in Abingdon, particularly due to local water bodies like the South Holston Lake and several rivers in the region. Over the last three decades, hurricanes that have caused significant rainfall and flooding in this area include Hurricane Fran in 1996 and Hurricane Florence in 2018, both of which led to local damage and statewide emergencies. However, the mountains surrounding Abingdon can provide some protection by acting as a physical barrier that disrupts storm paths and intensity. It should be noted that other indirect impacts such as power outages, road blockages from downed trees or landslides, and occasionally tornadoes spawned from hurricane systems, are possibilities that residents should be prepared for. Hurricanes moving inland can also lead to a phenomenon known as "orographic lifting," where air is forced to rise over mountains, causing increased precipitation rates and extensive cloud cover. This makes the overall hurricane impact unpredictable and necessitates vigilance and preparedness from the residents of Abingdon.