Union High Academy Historic District · Photo: Nyttend · Public domainWestfield’s building-damage rate from tornadoes is in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Westfield gets a B for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 60% of U.S. towns, #299 of 593 in Indiana. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (71%), then tornadoes (20%). Flood insurance has paid 6 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 Westfield 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 Westfield’s grade
River and rain flooding is 71% of the building damage FEMA expects in Westfield, and Westfield’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 50% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 20%, at a rate in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts.
B #299 of 593 in Indiana; lower expected damage per building than 60% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Westfield’s residents live in 8 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
The typical Indiana town has lower expected damage than 60% of U.S. towns; within the state, Westfield has more expected damage per building than 50% of Indiana towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $15.6M a year in losses across Westfield: $11.7M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Westfield flood? Rarely: 6 flood claims since 1982
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Westfield, from FEMA’s records: 0.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 95% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Westfield isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Hamilton County.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Westfield
Disasters that paid out in Westfield itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Westfield), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2026Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding9 households applied for aid$1K aid approved
- 2014Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$55K to the City of Westfield for repairs
- 2005Severe Winter Storms and Flooding7 households applied for aid$4K aid approved
- 2004Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding1 households applied for aid$1K aid approved
- 2003Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding7 households applied for aid$7K aid approved
- 2003Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding1 households applied for aid$2K aid approved
Hamilton County has had 17 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 Westfield after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Westfield archive →Westfield and its neighbors
Westfield has the lowest expected damage per building of the 4 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Westfield | Bless damage than 60% | river and rain flooding | 6 |
| Westfield Washington Township | Bless damage than 60% | river and rain flooding | 5 |
| Carmel | Bless damage than 58% | river and rain flooding | 91 |
| Noblesville | B−more damage than 53% | river and rain flooding | 129 |
| Hortonville | — | 229 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
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 Westfield 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 Westfield
Is Westfield at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Westfield has lower expected damage per building than 60% of U.S. towns: B for hazard risk, #299 of 593 in Indiana. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (71%) and tornadoes (20%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Westfield flood?
Flood insurance has paid 6 claims in Westfield since 1982, $84K in all, or 0.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 95% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 2 properties have flooded more than once.
Is Westfield 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 Hamilton County, 16% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.4% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Westfield?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Westfield’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 Westfield?
By FEMA money that reached Westfield, Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm (2014): $55K to the City of Westfield for repairs.
Is Westfield at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (71%), and Westfield’s rate for it is lower than 50% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Westfield.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Westfield’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.