Photo: Nyttend · Public domainFEMA expects less hazard damage per building in West View than almost anywhere in the U.S., mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, West View gets an A+ for hazard risk: among the lowest expected damage per building of U.S. towns, #15 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (91%). Flood insurance has paid 1 claim here since 2007.
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 View 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 West View’s grade
River and rain flooding is 91% of the building damage FEMA expects in West View, and West View’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 88% of U.S. census tracts.
A+ #15 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania; among the lowest expected damage per building of U.S. towns (21,298).
West View’s residents live in 2 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
The typical Pennsylvania town has lower expected damage than 71% of U.S. towns; within the state, West View has less expected damage per building than 99% of Pennsylvania towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $742K a year in losses across West View: $496K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does West View flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 2007
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in West View, from FEMA’s records: 0.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 93% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
West View isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Allegheny County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to West View
Disasters that paid out in West View itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Borough of West View), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2004Tropical Depression Ivan4 households applied for aid$8K aid approved
Allegheny County has had 15 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 View after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the West View archive →Get ready for what West View 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 West View
Is West View at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, West View has among the lowest expected damage per building of U.S. towns: A+ for hazard risk, #15 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (91%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does West View flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in West View since 2007, $6K in all, or 0.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 93% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is West View 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 Allegheny County, 28% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.4% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in West View?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for West View’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 View?
By FEMA money that reached West View, Tropical Depression Ivan (2004): 4 households applied for aid, $8K approved.
Is West View at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (91%), and West View’s rate for it is lower than 88% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in West View.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where West View’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.