FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Westwood Lakes than in 78% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Westwood Lakes gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 78% of U.S. towns, #293 of 638 in Florida. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (53%), then hurricanes (45%). Flood insurance has paid 46 claims here since 1982.
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 Westwood Lakes’ natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Westwood Lakes faces
Each hazard’s share of the building damage FEMA expects here, and how its rate compares with the rest of the country.
River and rain flooding
Hurricanes
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 Westwood Lakes’ grade
River and rain flooding is 53% of the building damage FEMA expects in Westwood Lakes, and Westwood Lakes’ rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 63% of U.S. census tracts. Hurricanes add 45%, at a rate in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts.
C− #293 of 638 in Florida; higher expected damage per building than 78% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Westwood Lakes’ 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, Westwood Lakes has less expected damage per building than 54% of Florida towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.2M a year in losses across Westwood Lakes: $1.8M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Westwood Lakes flood? Sometimes: 46 flood claims since 1982
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Westwood Lakes, from FEMA’s records: 13.6 per 1,000 homes, more than 79% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Irene20 claims · $95K
- Hurricane Katrina5 claims · $25K
- Hurricane Elena1 claim · $89
Westwood Lakes 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 Westwood Lakes
Disasters that paid out in Westwood Lakes itself (aid to households or repair grants to Westwood Lakes), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2017Hurricane Irma4 households applied for aid$1K aid approved
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 Westwood Lakes after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Westwood Lakes archive →Westwood Lakes and its neighbors
Westwood Lakes is 3rd of the 4 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 |
| Westchester | Cmore damage than 75% | hurricanes | 133 |
| Westwood Lakes | C−more damage than 78% | river and rain flooding | 46 |
| Kendale Lakes | Dmore damage than 88% | river and rain flooding | 831 |
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 Westwood Lakes faces
A short kit for the hazards that drive the building damage here, what to check before you buy, and where neighbors get alerts.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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 Westwood Lakes
Is Westwood Lakes at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Westwood Lakes has higher expected damage per building than 78% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #293 of 638 in Florida. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (53%) and hurricanes (45%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Westwood Lakes flood?
Flood insurance has paid 46 claims in Westwood Lakes since 1982, $242K in all, or 13.6 per 1,000 homes, more than 79% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Hurricane Irene (20).
Is Westwood Lakes 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 Westwood Lakes?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Westwood Lakes’ 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 Westwood Lakes?
By FEMA money that reached Westwood Lakes, Hurricane Irma (2017): 4 households applied for aid, $1K approved. By flood claims, Hurricane Irene: 20 paid, $95K.
Is Westwood Lakes at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (53%), and Westwood Lakes’ rate for it is higher than 63% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Westwood Lakes.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Westwood Lakes’ 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.