Photo: Infrogmation of New Orleans · CC BY-SA 3.0On FEMA’s figures, Westwego faces more hazard damage per building than 97% of U.S. towns, mostly from hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Westwego gets a D− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 97% of U.S. towns, #124 of 162 in Louisiana. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (84%), then river and rain flooding (14%). Flood insurance has paid 982 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 Westwego’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Westwego 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 Westwego’s grade
Hurricanes are 84% of the building damage FEMA expects in Westwego, and Westwego’s rate of hurricanes damage is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts. Next is river and rain flooding at 14% (lower than 71% of U.S. census tracts).
D− #124 of 162 in Louisiana; higher expected damage per building than 97% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Westwego’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, Westwego has more expected damage per building than 76% of Louisiana towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $5.3M a year in losses across Westwego: $4.4M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Westwego flood? Yes: 982 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Westwego, from FEMA’s records: 236.3 per 1,000 homes, more than 98% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Katrina106 claims · $3.3M
- Tropical Storm Barry16 claims · $662K
- Hurricane Isaac15 claims · $79K
Westwego is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 7) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Jefferson Parish.16 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Westwego
Disasters that paid out in Westwego itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Westwego), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Hurricane Francine456 households applied for aid$645K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2021Hurricane Ida9,875 households applied for aid$21.6M aid approved$1.7M to the City of Westwego for repairs11 flood claims paid for it, $344K
- 2020Hurricane Zeta338 households applied for aid$273K aid approved$84K to the City of Westwego for repairs
- 2020Hurricane Laura1 households applied for aid$500 aid approved$6K to the City of Westwego for repairs
- 2019Hurricane Barry$8K to the City of Westwego for repairs16 flood claims paid for it, $662K
- 2017Tropical Storm Nate$12K to the City of Westwego for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
Show all 16
- 2012Hurricane Isaac4,085 households applied for aid$1.6M aid approved$471K to the City of Westwego for repairs15 flood claims paid for it, $79K
- 2008Hurricane Ike179 households applied for aid$118K aid approved
- 2008Hurricane Gustav4,658 households applied for aid$924K aid approved$358K to the City of Westwego for repairs
- 2007Severe Storms and Tornadoes206 households applied for aid$198K aid approved2 flood claims paid that year
- 2005Hurricane Rita1,731 households applied for aid$1.1M aid approved
- 2005Hurricane Katrina15,926 households applied for aid$55.7M aid approved$5.1M to the City of Westwego for repairs106 flood claims paid for it, $3.3M
- 2005Tropical Storm Cindy$12K to the City of Westwego for repairs
- 2004Hurricane Ivan64 households applied for aid$34K aid approved$56K to the City of Westwego for repairs9 flood claims paid that year
- 2002Hurricane Lili$34K to the City of Westwego for repairs
- 2002Tropical Storm Isidore$46K to the City of Westwego for repairs5 flood claims paid for it, $56K
Jefferson Parish has had 37 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often hurricanes and tropical storms, then floods.
Old photos of Westwego after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Westwego archive →Westwego and its neighbors
Westwego is 3rd of the 4 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bridge City | D−more damage than 96% | hurricanes | 444 |
| Marrero | D−more damage than 97% | hurricanes | 6,057 |
| Westwego | D−more damage than 97% | hurricanes | 982 |
| New Orleans | D−more damage than 97% | hurricanes | 91,224 |
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 Westwego 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.
- Westwego residents get 15% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Westwego
Is Westwego at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Westwego has higher expected damage per building than 97% of U.S. towns: D− for hazard risk, #124 of 162 in Louisiana. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (84%) and river and rain flooding (14%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Westwego flood?
Flood insurance has paid 982 claims in Westwego since 1978, $10.9M in all, or 236.3 per 1,000 homes, more than 98% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 101 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Katrina (106).
Is Westwego 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 Jefferson Parish, 64.9% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Westwego?
Westwego is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 7), which takes 15% off federal flood insurance policies for its flood-proofing work. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
What was the biggest storm in Westwego?
By FEMA money that reached Westwego, Hurricane Katrina (2005): 15,926 households applied for aid, $55.7M approved, and $5.1M to the City of Westwego for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Katrina: 106 paid, $3.3M.
Is Westwego at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (84%), and Westwego’s rate for it is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Westwego.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Westwego’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.