Photo: Roseohioresident · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA puts West Lafayette’s expected hazard damage per building below that of 95% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, West Lafayette gets an A+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 95% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (76%). FEMA’s files show no paid flood insurance claims here.
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 West Lafayette 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
Tornadoes
Hail
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 West Lafayette’s grade
River and rain flooding is 76% of the building damage FEMA expects in West Lafayette, and West Lafayette’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 83% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 9% (higher than 56% of U.S. census tracts).
A+ lower expected damage per building than 95% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of West Lafayette’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $413K a year in losses across West Lafayette: $285K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does West Lafayette flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in West Lafayette. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
West Lafayette isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Coshocton County.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to West Lafayette
Disasters that paid out in West Lafayette itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Village of West Lafayette), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2012Severe Storms and Straight-line Winds$6K to the Village of West Lafayette for repairs
- 2008Severe Wind Storm Associated with Tropical Depression Ike$22K to the Village of West Lafayette for repairs
- 2004Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides10 households applied for aid$6K aid approved
Coshocton County has had 12 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then floods. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of West Lafayette after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the West Lafayette archive →Get ready for what West Lafayette 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.
- Pick your spot now: the lowest floor, an inside room, no windows.
- A watch means be ready; a warning means take cover now.
- Keep shoes and a flashlight by the bed.
- Park in a garage or under cover when storms are forecast.
- Stay away from windows while it falls.
- Photograph roof and car damage for your insurer.
- 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 West Lafayette
Is West Lafayette at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, West Lafayette has lower expected damage per building than 95% of U.S. towns: A+ for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (76%) and tornadoes (9%). 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.
Is West Lafayette 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 Coshocton County, 8% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.3% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in West Lafayette?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for West Lafayette’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 West Lafayette?
By FEMA money that reached West Lafayette, Severe Wind Storm Associated with Tropical Depression Ike (2008): $22K to the Village of West Lafayette for repairs.
Is West Lafayette at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (76%), and West Lafayette’s rate for it is lower than 83% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in West Lafayette.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where West Lafayette’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.