Photo: Nyttend · Public domainOn FEMA’s figures, Westminster faces less hazard damage per building than 65% of U.S. towns, led by hail
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Westminster gets a B+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 65% of U.S. towns, #42 of 159 in Colorado. Most of that expected damage is hail (48%), then river and rain flooding (38%). Flood insurance has paid 24 claims here since 1980.
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 stands out about Westminster’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
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.
Hail
River and rain flooding
Tornadoes
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
Hail is 48% of the building damage FEMA expects in Westminster, and Westminster’s rate of hail damage is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts. Next is river and rain flooding at 38% (lower than 91% of U.S. census tracts).
B+ #42 of 159 in Colorado; lower expected damage per building than 65% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Westminster’s residents live in 34 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
The typical Colorado town has higher expected damage than 56% of U.S. towns; within the state, Westminster has less expected damage per building than 74% of Colorado towns.
Among the 400 U.S. cities of 100,000 or more, Westminster has lower expected damage per building than 77% (#92 of 400). Because it is so big, its total expected yearly loss, $27.8M, is the 362th largest of those 400.
Does Westminster flood? Sometimes: 24 flood claims since 1980
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Westminster, from FEMA’s records: 0.5 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 90% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Late summer storms1 claim · $607
Westminster is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 6) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Adams 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.
- 2013Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides58 households applied for aid$42K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2003Snow$83K to the City of Westminster for repairs
Its 2 counties have had 9 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often floods, then winter storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Also 4 FEMA wildfire suppression grants (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in its 2 counties, 2000–2024.
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 6th of the 10 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Broomfield | Aless damage than 87% | river and rain flooding | 7 |
| Northglenn | B+less damage than 73% | hail | 2 |
| Shaw Heights | B+less damage than 68% | hail | — |
| Federal Heights | B+less damage than 68% | hail | 6 |
| Thornton | B+less damage than 66% | hail | 7 |
| Westminster | B+less damage than 65% | hail | 24 |
| Sherrelwood | Bless damage than 60% | hail | 2 |
| Twin Lakes | Bless damage than 57% | hail | — |
| Berkley | C+more damage than 60% | river and rain flooding | 23 |
| Arvada | Cmore damage than 66% | river and rain flooding | 30 |
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.
- Park in a garage or under cover when storms are forecast.
- Stay away from windows while it falls.
- Photograph roof and car damage for your insurer.
- 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.
- Pick your spot now: the lowest floor, an inside room, no windows.
- A watch means be ready; a warning means take cover now.
- Keep shoes and a flashlight by the bed.
- 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.
- Westminster residents get 20% off flood insurance.
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 lower expected damage per building than 65% of U.S. towns: B+ for hazard risk, #42 of 159 in Colorado. Most of the expected damage is hail (48%) and river and rain flooding (38%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Westminster flood?
Flood insurance has paid 24 claims in Westminster since 1980, $266K in all, or 0.5 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 90% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 2 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Late summer storms (1).
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 Adams County, 21% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.2% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Westminster?
Westminster is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 6), which takes 20% off federal flood insurance policies for its flood-proofing work. 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, Snow (2003): $83K to the City of Westminster for repairs. By flood claims, Late summer storms: 1 paid, $607.
Is Westminster at risk from hail?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (48%), and Westminster’s rate for it is in the top 1% 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.