Paul Cuffe Farm · Photo: Cortikal · CC BY-SA 3.0Less hazard damage per building is expected in Westport than in 84% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Westport gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 84% of U.S. towns, #87 of 283 in Massachusetts. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (76%), then hurricanes (13%). Flood insurance has paid 97 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 Westport’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Westport 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
Hurricanes
Coastal 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 Westport’s grade
River and rain flooding is 76% of the building damage FEMA expects in Westport, and Westport’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 66% of U.S. census tracts. Coastal flooding adds 6%, at a rate in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts.
A− #87 of 283 in Massachusetts; lower expected damage per building than 84% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Westport’s residents live in 3 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
The typical Massachusetts town has lower expected damage than 76% of U.S. towns; within the state, Westport has less expected damage per building than 70% of Massachusetts towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.6M a year in losses across Westport: $2.3M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Westport flood? Sometimes: 97 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Westport, from FEMA’s records: 12.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 78% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Bob45 claims · $928K
- Hurricane Sandy10 claims · $149K
- The March 2010 nor’easter5 claims · $228K
Westport isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Bristol County.13 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Westport
Disasters that paid out in Westport itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Westport), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2023Severe Storms and Flooding2 households applied for aid$750 aid approved
- 2022Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$37K to the Town of Westport for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
- 2018Severe Winter Storm and Flooding$21K to the Town of Westport for repairs
- 2015Severe Winter Storm, Snowstorm, and Flooding$51K to the Town of Westport for repairs
- 2013Severe Winter Storm, Snowstorm, and Flooding$9K to the Town of Westport for repairs
- 2012Hurricane Sandy$41K to the Town of Westport for repairs10 flood claims paid for it, $149K
Show all 13
- 2011Tropical Storm Irene$73K to the Town of Westport for repairs4 flood claims paid for it, $44K
- 2010Hurricane Earl$15K to the Town of Westport for repairs
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding179 households applied for aid$376K aid approved$277K to the Town of Westport for repairs
- 2005Severe Storms and Flooding$9K to the Town of Westport for repairs
- 2005Record And/or Near Record Snow$42K to the Town of Westport for repairs
- 2003Snow$30K to the Town of Westport for repairs
- 2003Snow$21K to the Town of Westport for repairs
Bristol County has had 22 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then hurricanes and tropical storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Westport after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Westport archive →Westport and its neighbors
Westport is 4th of the 5 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dartmouth | A+less damage than 96% | river and rain flooding | 94 |
| Little Compton | Aless damage than 93% | river and rain flooding | 25 |
| Tiverton | Aless damage than 86% | river and rain flooding | 58 |
| Westport | A−less damage than 84% | river and rain flooding | 97 |
| Fall River | A−less damage than 80% | river and rain flooding | 10 |
| North Westport | — | a Census area inside a town; graded with the town | |
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 Westport 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.
- 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.
- Know your evacuation zone and the way off the coast.
- Storm surge comes fast: leave when you’re told, not when the water arrives.
- Move cars to high ground before king tides and nor’easters.
- 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 Westport
Is Westport at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Westport has lower expected damage per building than 84% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk, #87 of 283 in Massachusetts. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (76%) and hurricanes (13%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Westport flood?
Flood insurance has paid 97 claims in Westport since 1978, $1.6M in all, or 12.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 78% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 8 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Bob (45).
Is Westport 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 Bristol County, 56% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.9% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Westport?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Westport’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 Westport?
By FEMA money that reached Westport, Severe Storms and Flooding (2010): 179 households applied for aid, $376K approved, and $277K to the Town of Westport for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Bob: 45 paid, $928K.
Is Westport at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (76%), and Westport’s rate for it is lower than 66% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Westport.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Westport’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.