Norton, Virginia, is located approximately 300 miles inland, making it relatively safe from the direct impact of hurricanes that strike the Atlantic coast. However, this does not render Norton fully immune to the effects of such storms. Hurricanes moving inland can bring heavy rainfall leading to flash floods, mudslides, and downed trees or power lines. The town's higher elevation can also intensify rainfall, potentially increasing the flood risk especially along the Guest River, which runs through Norton. In terms of historical flood risk, the biggest weather-related disaster in Norton's recent history was not a hurricane but a significant flood in May 2002 following heavy rainfall, which resulted in considerable damage. In terms of hurricane impacts, while Norton has not been directly hit by a major hurricane in the past 30 years, it has felt the effects of several storms including Hurricanes Ivan and Francis in 2004, which brought heavy rain and high winds to the area. Therefore, while direct hurricane impacts may not be a prominent consideration, the associated risks of heavy rainfall and flooding ought to be given due attention.