Falls Church, Virginia, while located in the mid-Atlantic and far from the coastline, is not immune to the effects of hurricanes and tropical storms. Although the city is not directly vulnerable to storm surge, its distance from the coast can still expose it to high winds, flash floods, and heavy rain related to hurricanes. Its slight elevation (approximately 300 feet above sea level) is not significantly protective against such weather conditions. Historically, the city has faced multiple notable floods, particularly during major storm events, with water runoff from higher elevations often contributing to localized flooding.

In the last 30 years, there have been several major hurricanes and storms that impacted Falls Church. Hurricane Isabel in 2003 and Hurricane Sandy in 2012 were particularly significant. Isabel, a Category 2 storm at landfall in North Carolina, traveled northward and brought high winds and intense rain to the area, resulting in power outages, structural damage, and flooding. Sandy, however, failed to make direct landfall in Virginia but its size and reach led to similar conditions as Isabel. Likewise, remnants of Hurricane Fran in 1996 and Hurricane Floyd in 1999 also produced heavy rainfall causing severe flooding in many parts of Falls Church. Although direct hits from hurricanes are rare, these events emphasize Falls Church's vulnerability to hurricane impacts, particularly from heavy precipitation and consequential flooding.