Photo: Niceley · CC BY-SA 4.0More hazard damage per building is expected in Westlake Village than in 95% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Westlake Village gets a D− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 95% of U.S. towns, #578 of 847 in California. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (61%), then earthquakes (26%). Flood insurance has paid 2 claims here since 1998.
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 Westlake Village 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
Earthquakes
Wildfire
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 Westlake Village’s grade
River and rain flooding is 61% of the building damage FEMA expects in Westlake Village, and Westlake Village’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts. Earthquakes add 26%, at a rate in the top 10% of U.S. census tracts.
D− #578 of 847 in California; higher expected damage per building than 95% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Westlake Village’s residents live in 4 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
The typical California town has higher expected damage than 92% of U.S. towns; within the state, Westlake Village has more expected damage per building than 68% of California towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $11.7M a year in losses across Westlake Village: $11.1M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Westlake Village flood? Rarely: 2 flood claims since 1998
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Westlake Village, from FEMA’s records: 0.6 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 86% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The California Atmospheric River1 claim · $72K
- The Pineapple Express - Southern1 claim · $567
Westlake Village isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Los Angeles County.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Westlake Village
Disasters that paid out in Westlake Village itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Westlake Village), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2025Wildfires and Straight-line Winds21 households applied for aid$16K to the City of Westlake Village for repairs
- 2022Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides8 households applied for aid$40K aid approved
- 2018Wildfires117 households applied for aid$127K aid approved
- 2010Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Debris and Mud Flows$5K to the City of Westlake Village for repairs
- 2004Severe Storms, Flooding, Debris Flows, and Mudslides26 households applied for aid$14K aid approved$121K to the City of Westlake Village for repairs
- 2003Wildfires, Flooding, Mudflow and Debris Flow Directly Related T2 households applied for aid$438 aid approved
Los Angeles County has had 40 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then floods. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Also 44 FEMA wildfire suppression grants (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Los Angeles County, 2002–2025.
Old photos of Westlake Village after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Westlake Village archive →Westlake Village and its neighbors
Westlake Village is 3rd of the 3 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Agoura Hills | Dmore damage than 92% | river and rain flooding | 35 |
| Thousand Oaks | Dmore damage than 94% | river and rain flooding | 40 |
| Westlake Village | D−more damage than 95% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
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 Westlake Village 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.
- Drop, cover and hold on.
- Strap tall furniture and the water heater to the wall.
- Know how to shut off the gas.
- Clear dead leaves and brush within 5 feet of the house.
- Sign up for local alerts and know two ways out.
- Keep N95 masks for smoky days.
- 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 Westlake Village
Is Westlake Village at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Westlake Village has higher expected damage per building than 95% of U.S. towns: D− for hazard risk, #578 of 847 in California. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (61%) and earthquakes (26%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Westlake Village flood?
Flood insurance has paid 2 claims in Westlake Village since 1998, $73K in all, or 0.6 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 86% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from California Atmospheric River (1).
Is Westlake Village 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 Los Angeles County, 33% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.5% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Westlake Village?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Westlake Village’s flood program. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
What was the biggest storm in Westlake Village?
By FEMA money that reached Westlake Village, Severe Storms, Flooding, Debris Flows, and Mudslides (2004): 26 households applied for aid, $14K approved, and $121K to the City of Westlake Village for repairs. By flood claims, California Atmospheric River: 1 paid, $72K.
Is Westlake Village at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (61%), and Westlake Village’s rate for it is in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Westlake Village.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Westlake Village’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.