Photo: Bobertrobert0709 · CC BY-SA 4.0On FEMA’s figures, Westmont faces less hazard damage per building than 82% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Westmont gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 82% of U.S. towns, #58 of 768 in Illinois. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (82%), then tornadoes (13%). Flood insurance has paid 36 claims here since 1978.
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 Westmont’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Westmont 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
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 Westmont’s grade
River and rain flooding is 82% of the building damage FEMA expects in Westmont, and Westmont’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 61% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 13% (higher than 75% of U.S. census tracts).
A− #58 of 768 in Illinois; lower expected damage per building than 82% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Westmont’s residents live in 13 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
The typical Illinois town has higher expected damage than 54% of U.S. towns; within the state, Westmont has less expected damage per building than 93% of Illinois towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $8.3M a year in losses across Westmont: $4.8M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Westmont flood? Sometimes: 36 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Westmont, from FEMA’s records: 3.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 51% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Mid-spring storms6 claims · $368K
Westmont isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: DuPage County.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Westmont
Disasters that paid out in Westmont itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Village of Westmont), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2013Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding176 households applied for aid$879K aid approved$10K to the Village of Westmont for repairs6 flood claims paid that year
- 2011Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$23K to the Village of Westmont for repairs
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding60 households applied for aid$131K aid approved
- 2008Severe Storms and Flooding12 households applied for aid$12K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2000Illinois Winter Snow Storms$31K to the Village of Westmont for repairs
- 1999Il-winter Storm 1/1/99$29K to the Village of Westmont for repairs
DuPage County has had 13 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then floods. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Westmont after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Westmont archive →Westmont and its neighbors
Westmont is 2nd of the 9 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clarendon Hills | Aless damage than 86% | river and rain flooding | 12 |
| Westmont | A−less damage than 82% | river and rain flooding | 36 |
| Darien | A−less damage than 78% | river and rain flooding | 16 |
| Oak Brook | B+less damage than 75% | river and rain flooding | 72 |
| Downers Grove Township | B+less damage than 72% | river and rain flooding | 210 |
| Willowbrook | B+less damage than 71% | river and rain flooding | 6 |
| Downers Grove | Bless damage than 63% | river and rain flooding | 102 |
| York Township | Bless damage than 60% | river and rain flooding | 516 |
| Hinsdale | C+more damage than 64% | river and rain flooding | 53 |
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 Westmont 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.
- 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.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Westmont
Is Westmont at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Westmont has lower expected damage per building than 82% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk, #58 of 768 in Illinois. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (82%) and tornadoes (13%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Westmont flood?
Flood insurance has paid 36 claims in Westmont since 1978, $741K in all, or 3.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 51% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 7 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Mid-spring storms (6).
Is Westmont 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 DuPage County, 41% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.6% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Westmont?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Westmont’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 Westmont?
By FEMA money that reached Westmont, Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding (2013): 176 households applied for aid, $879K approved, and $10K to the Village of Westmont for repairs. By flood claims, Mid-spring storms: 6 paid, $368K.
Is Westmont at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (82%), and Westmont’s rate for it is lower than 61% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Westmont.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Westmont’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.