Less hazard damage per building is expected in Westmoreland than in 84% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Westmoreland gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 84% of U.S. towns, #243 of 758 in New York. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (88%). Flood insurance has paid 15 claims here since 1981.
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 Westmoreland’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Westmoreland 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 Westmoreland’s grade
River and rain flooding is 88% of the building damage FEMA expects in Westmoreland, and Westmoreland’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 57% of U.S. census tracts.
A− #243 of 758 in New York; lower expected damage per building than 84% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Westmoreland’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
The typical New York town has lower expected damage than 69% of U.S. towns; within the state, Westmoreland has less expected damage per building than 68% of New York towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.3M a year in losses across Westmoreland: $1.1M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Westmoreland flood? Sometimes: 15 flood claims since 1981
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Westmoreland, from FEMA’s records: 5.6 per 1,000 homes, more than 63% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Tropical Storm Lee1 claim · $7K
Westmoreland isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Oneida County.7 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Westmoreland
Disasters that paid out in Westmoreland itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Westmoreland), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2017Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$13K to the Town of Westmoreland for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
- 2011Remnants of Tropical Storm Lee4 households applied for aid$4K aid approved1 flood claim paid for it, $7K
- 2007Record Snow and Near Record Snow$10K to the Town of Westmoreland for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2006Severe Storms and Flooding3 households applied for aid$1K aid approved$9K to the Town of Westmoreland for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
- 2004Snow$12K to the Town of Westmoreland for repairs
- 2002Snowstorms$15K to the Town of Westmoreland for repairs
Show all 7
- 2000Severe Storms and Flooding$29K to the Town of Westmoreland for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
Oneida County has had 21 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often winter storms, then severe 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 Westmoreland after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Westmoreland archive →Westmoreland and its neighbors
Westmoreland is 2nd of the 6 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rome | Aless damage than 86% | river and rain flooding | 20 |
| Westmoreland | A−less damage than 84% | river and rain flooding | 15 |
| Whitestown | B+less damage than 68% | river and rain flooding | 14 |
| Kirkland | Bless damage than 55% | river and rain flooding | 153 |
| Vernon | B−less damage than 53% | river and rain flooding | 7 |
| Verona | B−more damage than 54% | river and rain flooding | 10 |
| Clark Mills | — | 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 Westmoreland 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 Westmoreland
Is Westmoreland at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Westmoreland has lower expected damage per building than 84% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk, #243 of 758 in New York. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (88%). The figures are for the one census tract the town shares with its neighbors. This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Westmoreland flood?
Flood insurance has paid 15 claims in Westmoreland since 1981, $109K in all, or 5.6 per 1,000 homes, more than 63% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Tropical Storm Lee (1).
Is Westmoreland 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 Oneida County, 20% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.6% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Westmoreland?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Westmoreland’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 Westmoreland?
By FEMA money that reached Westmoreland, Severe Storms and Flooding (2000): $29K to the Town of Westmoreland for repairs. By flood claims, Tropical Storm Lee: 1 paid, $7K.
Is Westmoreland at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (88%), and Westmoreland’s rate for it is lower than 57% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Westmoreland.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Westmoreland’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.