On FEMA’s figures, Westlake faces more hazard damage per building than 92% of U.S. towns, led by hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Westlake gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 92% of U.S. towns, #78 of 162 in Louisiana. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (48%), then river and rain flooding (43%). Flood insurance has paid 147 claims here since 1979.
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 Westlake’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Westlake faces
Each hazard’s share of the building damage FEMA expects here, and how its rate compares with the rest of the country.
Hurricanes
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 Westlake’s grade
Hurricanes are 48% of the building damage FEMA expects in Westlake, and Westlake’s rate of hurricanes damage is in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts. Coastal flooding adds 2%, at a rate in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts.
D #78 of 162 in Louisiana; higher expected damage per building than 92% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Westlake’s residents live in 3 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
The typical Louisiana town has higher expected damage than 92% of U.S. towns; within the state, Westlake has less expected damage per building than 52% of Louisiana towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $3.2M a year in losses across Westlake: $2.6M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Westlake flood? Yes: 147 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Westlake, from FEMA’s records: 58.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 94% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Ike23 claims · $1.3M
- Hurricane Rita15 claims · $1.1M
- Hurricane Delta4 claims · $107K
Westlake isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Calcasieu Parish.11 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Westlake
Disasters that paid out in Westlake itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Westlake), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding26 households applied for aid$10K aid approved
- 2021Severe Winter Storms32 households applied for aid$18K aid approved
- 2020Hurricane Delta670 households applied for aid$398K aid approved$68K to the City of Westlake for repairs4 flood claims paid for it, $107K
- 2020Hurricane Laura4,090 households applied for aid$6.3M aid approved$8.7M to the City of Westlake for repairs2 flood claims paid for it, $857K
- 2017Tropical Storm Harvey$39K to the City of Westlake for repairs3 flood claims paid for it, $50K
- 2008Hurricane Ike1,207 households applied for aid$1.1M aid approved$324K to the City of Westlake for repairs23 flood claims paid for it, $1.3M
Show all 11
- 2008Hurricane Gustav955 households applied for aid$66K aid approved$155K to the City of Westlake for repairs
- 2006Severe Storms and Flooding43 households applied for aid$49K aid approved5 flood claims paid that year
- 2005Hurricane Rita5,742 households applied for aid$12.2M aid approved$8.9M to the City of Westlake for repairs15 flood claims paid for it, $1.1M
- 2005Hurricane Katrina58 households applied for aid$84K aid approved
- 2002Hurricane Lili$12K to the City of Westlake for repairs
Calcasieu Parish has had 30 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often hurricanes and tropical storms, then floods.
Also 1 FEMA wildfire suppression grant (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Calcasieu Parish, 2000–2000.
Old photos of Westlake after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Westlake archive →Get ready for what Westlake faces
A short kit for the hazards that drive the building damage here, what to check before you buy, and where neighbors get alerts.
- 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.
- 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 Westlake
Is Westlake at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Westlake has higher expected damage per building than 92% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk, #78 of 162 in Louisiana. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (48%) and river and rain flooding (43%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Westlake flood?
Flood insurance has paid 147 claims in Westlake since 1979, $4.9M in all, or 58.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 94% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 20 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Ike (23).
Is Westlake 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 Calcasieu Parish, 43% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 16.9% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Westlake?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Westlake’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 Westlake?
By FEMA money that reached Westlake, Hurricane Rita (2005): 5,742 households applied for aid, $12.2M approved, and $8.9M to the City of Westlake for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Ike: 23 paid, $1.3M.
Is Westlake at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (48%), and Westlake’s rate for it is in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Westlake.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Westlake’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.