More hazard damage per building is expected in Westchester than in 75% of U.S. towns, mostly from hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Westchester gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 75% of U.S. towns, #253 of 638 in Florida. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (54%), then river and rain flooding (42%). Flood insurance has paid 133 claims here since 1979.
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 Westchester’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Westchester 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 Westchester’s grade
Hurricanes are 54% of the building damage FEMA expects in Westchester, and Westchester’s rate of hurricanes damage is in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts. Coastal flooding adds 1%, at a rate in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts.
C #253 of 638 in Florida; higher expected damage per building than 75% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Westchester’s residents live in 15 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, Westchester has less expected damage per building than 60% of Florida towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $18.2M a year in losses across Westchester: $15.6M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Westchester flood? Yes: 133 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Westchester, from FEMA’s records: 7.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 68% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Irene21 claims · $132K
- Hurricane Katrina5 claims · $93K
- Hurricane Andrew3 claims · $31K
Westchester isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Dade County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Westchester
Disasters that paid out in Westchester itself (aid to households or repair grants to Westchester), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2017Hurricane Irma15 households applied for aid$2K aid approved3 flood claims paid for it, $16K
Its 2 counties have had 32 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 its 2 counties, 1999–2001.
Old photos of Westchester after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Westchester archive →Westchester and its neighbors
Westchester is 3rd 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Olympia Heights | Cmore damage than 71% | hurricanes | 37 |
| Coral Terrace | Cmore damage than 74% | river and rain flooding | 184 |
| Westchester | Cmore damage than 75% | hurricanes | 133 |
| Westwood Lakes | C−more damage than 78% | river and rain flooding | 46 |
| Fountainebleau | C−more damage than 81% | river and rain flooding | 180 |
| Sweetwater | C−more damage than 83% | river and rain flooding | 215 |
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 Westchester 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 Westchester
Is Westchester at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Westchester has higher expected damage per building than 75% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #253 of 638 in Florida. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (54%) and river and rain flooding (42%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Westchester flood?
Flood insurance has paid 133 claims in Westchester since 1979, $2.1M in all, or 7.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 68% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Hurricane Irene (21).
Is Westchester 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 Dade County, 74% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 33.4% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Westchester?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Westchester’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 Westchester?
By FEMA money that reached Westchester, Hurricane Irma (2017): 15 households applied for aid, $2K approved. By flood claims, Hurricane Irene: 21 paid, $132K.
Is Westchester at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (54%), and Westchester’s rate for it is in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Westchester.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Westchester’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.