Photo: Deathlock97 · CC BY-SA 4.0On FEMA’s figures, Westminster faces more hazard damage per building than 88% of U.S. towns, mostly from earthquakes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Westminster gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 88% of U.S. towns, #282 of 847 in California. Most of that expected damage is earthquakes (61%), then river and rain flooding (39%). Flood insurance has paid 82 claims here since 1978.
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 Westminster faces
Each hazard’s share of the building damage FEMA expects here, and how its rate compares with the rest of the country.
Earthquakes
River and rain flooding
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 Westminster’s grade
Earthquakes are 61% of the building damage FEMA expects in Westminster, and Westminster’s rate of earthquakes damage is in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts. Next is river and rain flooding at 39% (higher than 65% of U.S. census tracts).
D #282 of 847 in California; higher expected damage per building than 88% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Westminster’s residents live in 22 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, Westminster has less expected damage per building than 67% of California towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $39.4M a year in losses across Westminster: $29.1M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Westminster flood? Sometimes: 82 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Westminster, from FEMA’s records: 2.8 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 54% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Pineapple Express - Southern10 claims · $25K
- The Winter storm1 claim · $7K
Westminster isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Orange County.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Westminster
Disasters that paid out in Westminster itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Westminster), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2017Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides$9K to the City of Westminster for repairs
- 2004Severe Storms, Flooding, Debris Flows, and Mudslides4 households applied for aid$446 aid approved
Orange County has had 27 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 11 FEMA wildfire suppression grants (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Orange County, 2002–2022.
Old photos of Westminster after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Westminster archive →Westminster and its neighbors
Westminster 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Huntington Beach | Dmore damage than 87% | earthquakes | 490 |
| Fountain Valley | Dmore damage than 87% | earthquakes | 91 |
| Midway City | Dmore damage than 88% | earthquakes | 6 |
| Westminster | Dmore damage than 88% | earthquakes | 82 |
| Garden Grove | Dmore damage than 90% | earthquakes | 60 |
| Seal Beach | D−more damage than 97% | river and rain flooding | 107 |
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 Westminster faces
A short kit for the hazards that drive the building damage here, what to check before you buy, and where neighbors get alerts.
- Drop, cover and hold on.
- Strap tall furniture and the water heater to the wall.
- Know how to shut off the gas.
- 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.
- 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 Westminster
Is Westminster at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Westminster has higher expected damage per building than 88% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk, #282 of 847 in California. Most of the expected damage is earthquakes (61%) and river and rain flooding (39%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Westminster flood?
Flood insurance has paid 82 claims in Westminster since 1978, $445K in all, or 2.8 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 54% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 3 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Pineapple Express - Southern (10).
Is Westminster 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 Orange County, 19% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.0% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Westminster?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Westminster’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 Westminster?
By FEMA money that reached Westminster, Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides (2017): $9K to the City of Westminster for repairs. By flood claims, Pineapple Express - Southern: 10 paid, $25K.
Is Westminster at risk from earthquakes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (61%), and Westminster’s rate for it is in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Westminster.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Westminster’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.