Richlands, Virginia, while not directly on the coast, is still susceptible to the after effects of hurricanes, including high winds, heavy rains, and flooding, especially given its low-to-moderate elevation. Being 276 miles away from the coast does offer some protection from the initial brunt of the storm, such as storm surge and extremely high coastal wind speeds. However, as the storm weakens over land, Richlands could still experience significant rainfall, causing older buildings and trees in the area to fall, power outages, and blocked roads which can affect utilities, commuting, and public safety. Additionally, most hurricanes have a wind radius larger than 276 miles, meaning they could still potentially experience hurricane force winds. Historically, Richlands has experienced substantial rain and flood events due to hurricanes and tropical storms. The Flash Flood on May 28-29, 2002 caused by Tropical Storm Allison included the largest flood in the Town of Richlands history. Hurricane Florence in 2018, caused major flooding after several feet of rain were dumped on the region over a few days. Therefore, even though Richlands is not a coastal town, hurricanes can still significantly impact the area with flooding and wind damage. Redistributions of emergency services and cleanup after such events must be considered and residents must remain prepared for these possibilities.