Photo: Ichabod · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA expects less hazard damage per building in Westmoreland than in 64% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Westmoreland gets a B for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 64% of U.S. towns, #50 of 177 in Tennessee. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (68%), then tornadoes (14%). 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 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
Tornadoes
Earthquakes
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 68% of the building damage FEMA expects in Westmoreland, and Westmoreland’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 58% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 14% (higher than 83% of U.S. census tracts).
B #50 of 177 in Tennessee; lower expected damage per building than 64% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Westmoreland’s residents live in 2 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
The typical Tennessee town has higher expected damage than 53% of U.S. towns; within the state, Westmoreland has less expected damage per building than 72% of Tennessee towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $761K a year in losses across Westmoreland: $354K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Westmoreland flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Westmoreland. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
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: Sumner County.4 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.
- 2026Severe Winter Storm93 households applied for aid$288K aid approved$79K to the Town of Westmoreland for repairs
- 2010Severe Storms, Flooding, Straight-line Winds, and Tornadoes110 households applied for aid$250K aid approved$142K to the Town of Westmoreland for repairs
- 2008Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding20 households applied for aid$35K aid approved
- 2003Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding2 households applied for aid$2K aid approved
Sumner County has had 18 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 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 →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.
- 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.
- Drop, cover and hold on.
- Strap tall furniture and the water heater to the wall.
- Know how to shut off the gas.
- 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 64% of U.S. towns: B for hazard risk, #50 of 177 in Tennessee. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (68%) and tornadoes (14%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
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 Sumner County, 35% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.9% 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, Flooding, Straight-line Winds, and Tornadoes (2010): 110 households applied for aid, $250K approved, and $142K to the Town of Westmoreland for repairs.
Is Westmoreland at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (68%), and Westmoreland’s rate for it is lower than 58% 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.