Photo: Ser Amantio di Nicolao · CC BY-SA 3.0Less hazard damage per building is expected in Falls Church than in 88% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Falls Church gets an A for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 88% of U.S. towns, #80 of 253 in Virginia. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (72%). Flood insurance has paid 50 claims here since 1989.
Graded on FEMA’s expected yearly building damage per dollar of building value (NRI v1.20, December 2025), weighted by where residents live; flood claims are shown, not graded. How hazard risk is graded
What stands out about Falls Church’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Falls Church faces
Each hazard’s share of the building damage FEMA expects here, and how its rate compares with the rest of the country.
River and rain flooding
Hurricanes
Tornadoes
Strong wind
Shares are of FEMA’s expected building damage, the measure the grade uses; ranks compare each hazard’s building-damage rate with all 85,154 U.S. census tracts. In FEMA’s terms, river and rain flooding is FEMA’s “Inland Flooding” (rivers and streams overflowing their banks, or rain overwhelming drainage). FEMA defines coastal flooding as high or rising tides and storm surge, so surge damage is counted there. Drought isn’t listed: FEMA counts its losses in crops only.
What’s behind Falls Church’s grade
River and rain flooding is 72% of the building damage FEMA expects in Falls Church, and Falls Church’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 75% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 10% (higher than 72% of U.S. census tracts).
A #80 of 253 in Virginia; lower expected damage per building than 88% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Falls Church’s residents live in 3 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
The typical Virginia town has lower expected damage than 81% of U.S. towns; within the state, Falls Church has less expected damage per building than 69% of Virginia towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $3.1M a year in losses across Falls Church: $2.0M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Falls Church flood? Sometimes: 50 flood claims since 1989
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Falls Church, from FEMA’s records: 7.6 per 1,000 homes, more than 69% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Falls Church is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 7) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: the county.7 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Falls Church
Disasters that paid out in Falls Church itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Falls Church), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2016Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$86K to the City of Falls Church for repairs
- 2012Hurricane Sandy$49K to the City of Falls Church for repairs
- 2012Severe Storms and Straight-line Winds$188K to the City of Falls Church for repairs
- 2010Severe Winter Storms and Snowstorms$127K to the City of Falls Church for repairs
- 2009Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$68K to the City of Falls Church for repairs
- 2003Hurricane Isabel62 households applied for aid$28K aid approved$160K to the City of Falls Church for repairs
Show all 7
- 2003Severe Winter Storm, Record/near Record Snowfall, Heavy Rain,floodind, and Mudslide$29K to the City of Falls Church for repairs
has had 12 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often winter storms, then hurricanes and tropical storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Falls Church after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Falls Church archive →Falls Church and its neighbors
Falls Church is 4th of the 6 graded towns here, from least expected damage per building to most. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Seven Corners | A+less damage than 98% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Idylwood | A+less damage than 96% | river and rain flooding | 8 |
| Arlington | Aless damage than 88% | river and rain flooding | 123 |
| Falls Church | Aless damage than 88% | river and rain flooding | 50 |
| West Falls Church | Aless damage than 87% | river and rain flooding | 76 |
| McLean | Aless damage than 85% | river and rain flooding | 57 |
Hazard risk = FEMA’s expected yearly building damage per dollar of building value, vs. the 21,298 U.S. towns we grade; the map is shaded by fifths of the same scale. Flood claims = paid federal flood insurance claims on record.
Get ready for what Falls Church faces
A short kit for the hazards that drive the building damage here, what to check before you buy, and where neighbors get alerts.
- Turn around at flooded roads: a foot of moving water can carry off a car.
- Flood insurance usually takes 30 days to start, so buy it before the forecast.
- Keep papers and medicines up high, in a grab-and-go bag.
- The season runs June through November and peaks from mid-August to mid-October.
- Bring in porch furniture and anything the wind can throw.
- Fill the gas tank and charge phones before the storm arrives.
- Pick your spot now: the lowest floor, an inside room, no windows.
- A watch means be ready; a warning means take cover now.
- Keep shoes and a flashlight by the bed.
- Trim dead limbs over the house and driveway.
- Tie down trash cans and outdoor furniture.
- Stay clear of downed lines and call the utility.
- Look up the address on FEMA’s flood map.
- Ask the seller or landlord whether it has ever flooded, and what flood insurance costs there.
- Get a flood insurance quote early: policies usually start 30 days after you buy.
- Falls Church residents get 15% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Falls Church
Is Falls Church at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Falls Church has lower expected damage per building than 88% of U.S. towns: A for hazard risk, #80 of 253 in Virginia. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (72%) and hurricanes (10%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Falls Church flood?
Flood insurance has paid 50 claims in Falls Church since 1989, $662K in all, or 7.6 per 1,000 homes, more than 69% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 9 properties have flooded more than once.
Is Falls Church in a flood zone?
Flood zones are drawn street by street, so the answer depends on the address: look it up on FEMA’s flood map. In the county, 4.9% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Falls Church?
Falls Church is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 7), which takes 15% off federal flood insurance policies for its flood-proofing work. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
What was the biggest storm in Falls Church?
By FEMA money that reached Falls Church, Hurricane Isabel (2003): 62 households applied for aid, $28K approved, and $160K to the City of Falls Church for repairs.
Is Falls Church at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (72%), and Falls Church’s rate for it is lower than 75% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Falls Church.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Falls Church’s residents lived in the 2020 census; OpenFEMA: NFIP redacted claims, multiple-loss properties, community status book and residential penetration rates, housing assistance (owners and renters), public assistance funded projects, hazard mitigation properties and disaster declarations. Homes: Census ACS 2020–24. Preparedness tips: Ready.gov. FEMA’s model is an average of expected damage, not a forecast. How hazard risk is graded.