On FEMA’s figures, West Springfield faces less hazard damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, West Springfield gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns, #139 of 253 in Virginia. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (83%). Flood insurance has paid 12 claims here since 2006.
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 West Springfield 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
Earthquakes
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 West Springfield’s grade
River and rain flooding is 83% of the building damage FEMA expects in West Springfield, and West Springfield’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 57% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 8% (higher than 70% of U.S. census tracts).
A− #139 of 253 in Virginia; lower expected damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns (21,298).
West Springfield’s residents live in 5 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, West Springfield has more expected damage per building than 55% of Virginia towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $4.0M a year in losses across West Springfield: $3.2M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does West Springfield flood? Sometimes: 12 flood claims since 2006
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in West Springfield, from FEMA’s records: 1.5 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 68% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
West Springfield isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Fairfax County.The storms West Springfield remembers
None of the 16 disasters declared for Fairfax County shows FEMA aid or repair money reaching West Springfield itself in FEMA’s records, so these are its biggest flood-claim years.
- 20113 flood claims paidThe year of The Remnants of Tropical Storm Lee, declared for Fairfax County
- 20132 flood claims paidNo declaration for the county that year
- 20212 flood claims paidNo declaration for the county that year
Fairfax County has had 16 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 West Springfield after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the West Springfield archive →West Springfield and its neighbors
West Springfield is 6th 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Springfield | A+less damage than 95% | river and rain flooding | 9 |
| Kings Park | Aless damage than 90% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| North Springfield | A−less damage than 83% | river and rain flooding | 5 |
| Newington | A−less damage than 82% | river and rain flooding | 13 |
| Burke | A−less damage than 80% | river and rain flooding | 12 |
| West Springfield | A−less damage than 80% | river and rain flooding | 12 |
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 West Springfield 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.
- Drop, cover and hold on.
- Strap tall furniture and the water heater to the wall.
- Know how to shut off the gas.
- 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.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in West Springfield
Is West Springfield at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, West Springfield has lower expected damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk, #139 of 253 in Virginia. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (83%) and hurricanes (8%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does West Springfield flood?
Flood insurance has paid 12 claims in West Springfield since 2006, $96K in all, or 1.5 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 68% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is West Springfield 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 Fairfax County, 22% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.1% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in West Springfield?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for West Springfield’s flood program. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
Is West Springfield at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (83%), and West Springfield’s rate for it is lower than 57% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in West Springfield.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where West Springfield’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.