Johnson Helm House · Photo: Ebyabe · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA puts West Samoset’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 88% of U.S. towns, mostly from hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, West Samoset gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 88% of U.S. towns, #406 of 638 in Florida. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (81%), then river and rain flooding (14%). 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 West Samoset faces
Each hazard’s share of the building damage FEMA expects here, and how its rate compares with the rest of the country.
Hurricanes
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 West Samoset’s grade
Hurricanes are 81% of the building damage FEMA expects in West Samoset, and West Samoset’s rate of hurricanes damage is in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts. Next is river and rain flooding at 14% (lower than 94% of U.S. census tracts).
D #406 of 638 in Florida; higher expected damage per building than 88% of U.S. towns (21,298).
West Samoset’s residents live in 3 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
The typical Florida town has higher expected damage than 79% of U.S. towns; within the state, West Samoset has more expected damage per building than 64% of Florida towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.8M a year in losses across West Samoset: $2.2M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does West Samoset flood? Rarely: 2 flood claims since 1998
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in West Samoset, from FEMA’s records: 0.8 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 83% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Hermine1 claim · $19K
West Samoset isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Manatee County.The storms West Samoset remembers
None of the 37 disasters declared for Manatee County shows FEMA aid or repair money reaching West Samoset itself in FEMA’s records, so these are its biggest flood-claim years.
- 19981 flood claims paidThe year of Hurricane Grorges, declared for Manatee County
- 20161 flood claims paidThe year of Hurricane Hermine, declared for Manatee County
Manatee County has had 37 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often hurricanes and tropical storms, then severe storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Also 2 FEMA wildfire suppression grants (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Manatee County, 1999–2001.
Old photos of West Samoset after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the West Samoset archive →West Samoset and its neighbors
West Samoset has the lowest expected damage per building of the 3 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
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 West Samoset faces
A short kit for the hazards that drive the building damage here, what to check before you buy, and where neighbors get alerts.
- The season runs June through November and peaks from mid-August to mid-October.
- Bring in porch furniture and anything the wind can throw.
- Fill the gas tank and charge phones before the storm arrives.
- 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 West Samoset
Is West Samoset at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, West Samoset has higher expected damage per building than 88% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk, #406 of 638 in Florida. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (81%) and river and rain flooding (14%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does West Samoset flood?
Flood insurance has paid 2 claims in West Samoset since 1998, $23K in all, or 0.8 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 83% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Hurricane Hermine (1).
Is West Samoset 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 Manatee County, 43% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 17.3% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in West Samoset?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for West Samoset’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 West Samoset?
By flood claims, Hurricane Hermine: 1 paid, $19K.
Is West Samoset at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (81%), and West Samoset’s rate for it is in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in West Samoset.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where West Samoset’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.