FEMA puts Westville’s expected hazard damage per building below that of 69% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Westville gets a B+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 69% of U.S. towns, #144 of 768 in Illinois. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (66%), then tornadoes (15%). 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 Westville 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
Earthquakes
Strong wind
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 Westville’s grade
River and rain flooding is 66% of the building damage FEMA expects in Westville, and Westville’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 64% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 6%, at a rate in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts.
B+ #144 of 768 in Illinois; lower expected damage per building than 69% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Westville’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
The typical Illinois town has higher expected damage than 54% of U.S. towns; within the state, Westville has less expected damage per building than 81% of Illinois towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $969K a year in losses across Westville: $481K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Westville flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Westville. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Westville isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Vermilion County.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Westville
Disasters that paid out in Westville itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Village of Westville), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2023Severe Storms and Flooding$15K to the Village of Westville for repairs
- 2013Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Tornadoes20 households applied for aid$43K aid approved
- 1999Il-winter Storm 1/1/99$3K to the Village of Westville for repairs
Vermilion County has had 9 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then winter storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Westville after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Westville archive →Westville and its neighbors
Westville is 2nd of the 2 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Georgetown Township | B+less damage than 73% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Westville | B+less damage than 69% | river and rain flooding | 0 |
| Belgium | — | 290 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Danville Township | — | not graded yet | |
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 Westville 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.
- Drop, cover and hold on.
- Strap tall furniture and the water heater to the wall.
- Know how to shut off the gas.
- Trim dead limbs over the house and driveway.
- Tie down trash cans and outdoor furniture.
- Stay clear of downed lines and call the utility.
- 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 Westville
Is Westville at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Westville has lower expected damage per building than 69% of U.S. towns: B+ for hazard risk, #144 of 768 in Illinois. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (66%) and tornadoes (15%). 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 Westville 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 Vermilion County, 11% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.2% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Westville?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Westville’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 Westville?
By FEMA money that reached Westville, Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Tornadoes (2013): 20 households applied for aid, $43K approved.
Is Westville at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (66%), and Westville’s rate for it is lower than 64% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Westville.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Westville’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.