Emporia, Virginia is not directly on the coast, but its relative proximity means hurricanes present a real risk to the area. The town is approximately 75 miles from the closest point on the Atlantic coast, a distance that could be covered by a hurricane or tropical storm in just a few hours. Despite its relatively low elevation, Emporia sits near the Meherrin River and is subject to potential flooding when significant rainfall is experienced in the region. Hurricanes could cause storm surges, high winds, and torrential rainfall, causing flash floods and river floods, damaging properties, making roads impassable and endangering lives. Historically, Emporia has been affected by several major hurricanes and storms that led to increased flooding in the area. In 1996, Hurricane Fran caused heavy rain, high winds, and flooding, resulting in significant damage to the town and surrounding area. More recently, Hurricane Florence in 2018 also impacted Emporia significantly. Though the hurricane had weakened by the time it reached inland Virginia, it still brought heavy rain and high winds, leading to power outages, road closures, and minor home damage in Emporia. The town has also experienced significant flood events unrelated to hurricanes, including one in 2016 following heavy rain. These previous events should be taken as a lesson that even though Emporia isn't on the coast, it is not immune to the threats posed by hurricanes and other severe storms.