On FEMA’s figures, few U.S. towns expect more hazard damage per building than West Van Lear, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, West Van Lear gets a D− for hazard risk: among the highest expected damage per building of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (97%). 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 West Van Lear 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
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 West Van Lear’s grade
River and rain flooding is 97% of the building damage FEMA expects in West Van Lear, and West Van Lear’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
D− among the highest expected damage per building of U.S. towns (21,298).
West Van Lear’s residents live in 2 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $905K a year in losses across West Van Lear: $721K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does West Van Lear flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in West Van Lear. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
West Van Lear isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Johnson County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to West Van Lear
Disasters that paid out in West Van Lear itself (aid to households or repair grants to West Van Lear), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2025Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides10 households applied for aid$56K aid approved
- 2021Severe, Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides5 households applied for aid$512 aid approved
- 2012Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds and Flooding68 households applied for aid$56K aid approved
- 2004Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Flooding, and Mudslides17 households applied for aid$31K aid approved
- 2003Severe Winter Ice and Snow Storms, Heavy Rain, Flooding, Tornadoes, and Mud and5 households applied for aid$9K aid approved
Johnson County has had 40 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.
Also 2 FEMA wildfire suppression grants (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Johnson County, 2000–2001.
Old photos of West Van Lear after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the West Van Lear archive →West Van Lear and its neighbors
West Van Lear has the lowest expected damage per building of the 1 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| West Van Lear | D−among the highest damage | river and rain flooding | 0 |
| Van Lear | — | 443 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 West Van Lear 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.
- 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 West Van Lear
Is West Van Lear at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, West Van Lear has among the highest expected damage per building of U.S. towns: D− for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (97%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Is West Van Lear 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 Johnson County, 14% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 2.3% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in West Van Lear?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for West Van Lear’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 West Van Lear?
By FEMA money that reached West Van Lear, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds and Flooding (2012): 68 households applied for aid, $56K approved.
Is West Van Lear at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (97%), and West Van Lear’s rate for it is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in West Van Lear.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where West Van Lear’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.