Storms, floods and disasters in Westford
Westford isn’t graded for hazard risk: Westford has 862 residents; we grade towns of 1,000 or more. Flood insurance has paid 3 claims here since 2009.
What Westford 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.
Does Westford flood? Rarely: 3 flood claims since 2009
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Westford, from FEMA’s records.
- Hurricane Irene2 claims · $45K
Westford isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Otsego County.7 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Westford
Disasters that paid out in Westford itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Westford), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2017Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$10K to the Town of Westford for repairs
- 2011Remnants of Tropical Storm Lee3 households applied for aid$3K aid approved$38K to the Town of Westford for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
- 2006Severe Storms and Flooding2 households applied for aid$287K to the Town of Westford for repairs
- 2005Severe Storms and Flooding$16K to the Town of Westford for repairs
- 2003Ice Storm$2K to the Town of Westford for repairs
- 2002Snowstorms$4K to the Town of Westford for repairs
Show all 7
- 2000Severe Storms and Flooding$13K to the Town of Westford for repairs
Otsego County has had 20 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; the 2001 World Trade Center declarations.
Old photos of Westford after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Westford archive →Westford and its neighbors
How expected damage per building compares across the town line. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Maryland | C−more damage than 80% | river and rain flooding | 18 |
| Middlefield | C−more damage than 81% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
| Worcester | Dmore damage than 89% | river and rain flooding | 5 |
| Roseboom | — | 630 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Decatur | — | 328 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 Westford 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 Westford
Does Westford flood?
Flood insurance has paid 3 claims in Westford since 2009, $49K in all. The most claims came from Hurricane Irene (2).
Is Westford 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 Otsego County, 18% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.9% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Westford?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Westford’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 Westford?
By FEMA money that reached Westford, Severe Storms and Flooding (2006): 2 households applied for aid, $0 approved, and $287K to the Town of Westford for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Irene: 2 paid, $45K.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Westford.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Westford’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.