Dahlgren, Virginia, while not directly on the Virginia coast, is still vulnerable to the impacts of hurricanes due to its close proximity to the Potomac River and the Chesapeake Bay. The town's low elevation and its location with regards to major water bodies significantly raise its susceptibility to storm surge and flooding, which are key threats during hurricanes. Historically, the town has seen floods owing to dampened ground conditions that cannot absorb extra rainfall driven by a hurricane. Additionally, hurricanes can cause severe wind damage, including the uprooting trees and power lines, and structural damage to buildings. Over the past 30 years, Dahlgren has been affected indirectly by several major hurricanes, including Hurricane Isabel in 2003 and Hurricane Sandy in 2012. Both caused significant flooding and wind damage in the area. Hurricane Isabel, particularly, resulted in one of the largest power outages in Virginia's history, and Hurricane Sandy led to catastrophic flooding across multiple states. Given these precedents, Dahlgren must prioritize adequate hurricane preparation, particularly with regard to potential storm surge, inland flooding, and wind damage.