Photo: Jzela Iraheta · CC BY 3.0FEMA expects about as much hazard damage per building in Westlake as in the typical U.S. town, mostly from hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Westlake gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 58% of U.S. towns, #77 of 638 in Florida. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (66%), then river and rain flooding (29%). FEMA’s files show no paid flood insurance claims here.
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 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 Westlake’s grade
Hurricanes are 66% of the building damage FEMA expects in Westlake, and Westlake’s rate of hurricanes damage is in the top 7% of U.S. census tracts. Next is river and rain flooding at 29% (lower than 91% of U.S. census tracts).
C+ #77 of 638 in Florida; higher expected damage per building than 58% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Westlake’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
The typical Florida town has higher expected damage than 79% of U.S. towns; within the state, Westlake has less expected damage per building than 88% of Florida towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $319K a year in losses across Westlake: $183K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Westlake flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Westlake. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Westlake isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Palm Beach County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Westlake
Disasters that paid out in Westlake itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Westlake), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2022Hurricane Ian4 households applied for aid$300 aid approved
Palm Beach County has had 29 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often hurricanes and tropical storms, then winter storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Also 1 FEMA wildfire suppression grant (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Palm Beach County, 1999–1999.
Old photos of Westlake after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Westlake archive →Westlake and its neighbors
Westlake has the lowest expected damage per building of the 3 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Westlake | C+more damage than 58% | hurricanes | 0 |
| Loxahatchee Groves | C+more damage than 65% | hurricanes | 3 |
| The Acreage | Cmore damage than 71% | hurricanes | 28 |
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 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 Westlake
Is Westlake at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Westlake has higher expected damage per building than 58% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk, #77 of 638 in Florida. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (66%) and river and rain flooding (29%). The figures are for the one census tract the town shares with its neighbors. This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Is Westlake 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 Palm Beach County, 43% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 13.0% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Westlake?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Westlake’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?
By FEMA money that reached Westlake, Hurricane Ian (2022): 4 households applied for aid, $300 approved.
Is Westlake at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (66%), and Westlake’s rate for it is in the top 7% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Westlake.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Westlake’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.