As an inland suburb of Washington D.C., West Springfield, Virginia is situated at an approximate distance of around 95 miles from the Atlantic coast. This relative inland location could help mitigate the extreme impacts of direct hurricane landfalls which are typically experienced by coastal locations, however, that does not completely negate the potential threat. Significant risks from hurricanes can still extend to West Springfield primarily in the form of heavy rainfall, high winds, and subsequent flash flooding. The area's relative low-to-moderate elevation adds to the risk due to the possibility of flash floods caused by rapid and excessive rainfall. The Pohick Creek and Accotink Creek running through the town could potentially overflow their banks, causing flooding in adjacent areas during significant rain events. Historically, a number of tropical systems have impacted this area. One of the significant events was Hurricane Fran in 1996, which caused heavy rain, extreme winds, and widespread damage in the region, including substantial flooding along the aforementioned creeks. More recently, Hurricane Sandy in 2012, although it did not directly hit the region, did bring heavy rainfall and gusty winds to the area, resulting in downed trees and power outages. Thus, it's crucial for residents of West Springfield to be aware and prepared despite the town's location as hurricanes and tropical storms can bring significant rainfall and wind damage inland. It also underscores the need for effective drainage infrastructure to minimize the risks of flooding during such events.