FEMA puts West Lake Hills’s expected hazard damage per building below that of 91% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, West Lake Hills gets an A for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 91% of U.S. towns, #40 of 642 in Texas. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (64%), then hail (17%). Flood insurance has paid 9 claims here since 1991.
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 Lake Hills 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
Hail
Tornadoes
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 Lake Hills’ grade
River and rain flooding is 64% of the building damage FEMA expects in West Lake Hills, and West Lake Hills’ rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 85% of U.S. census tracts. Hail adds 17%, at a rate in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts.
A #40 of 642 in Texas; lower expected damage per building than 91% of U.S. towns (21,298).
West Lake Hills’ residents live in 2 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
The typical Texas town has higher expected damage than 50% of U.S. towns; within the state, West Lake Hills has less expected damage per building than 94% of Texas towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.3M a year in losses across West Lake Hills: $965K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does West Lake Hills flood? Rarely: 9 flood claims since 1991
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in West Lake Hills, from FEMA’s records: 6.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 66% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Early summer storms1 claim · $14K
West Lake Hills isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Travis County.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to West Lake Hills
Disasters that paid out in West Lake Hills itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of West Lake Hills), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2023Severe Winter Storm$1.7M to the City of West Lake Hills for repairs
- 2021Severe Winter Storms11 households applied for aid$2K aid approved
Travis County has had 26 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.
Also 6 FEMA wildfire suppression grants (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Travis County, 2006–2011.
Old photos of West Lake Hills after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the West Lake Hills archive →West Lake Hills and its neighbors
West Lake Hills has the lowest expected damage per building of the 3 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| West Lake Hills | Aless damage than 91% | river and rain flooding | 9 |
| Rollingwood | A−less damage than 84% | river and rain flooding | 16 |
| Austin | Bless damage than 57% | river and rain flooding | 2,221 |
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 West Lake Hills 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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 Lake Hills
Is West Lake Hills at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, West Lake Hills has lower expected damage per building than 91% of U.S. towns: A for hazard risk, #40 of 642 in Texas. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (64%) and hail (17%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does West Lake Hills flood?
Flood insurance has paid 9 claims in West Lake Hills since 1991, $269K in all, or 6.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 66% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 3 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Early summer storms (1).
Is West Lake Hills 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 Travis County, 53% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 2.0% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in West Lake Hills?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for West Lake Hills’ 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 Lake Hills?
By FEMA money that reached West Lake Hills, Severe Winter Storm (2023): $1.7M to the City of West Lake Hills for repairs. By flood claims, Early summer storms: 1 paid, $14K.
Is West Lake Hills at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (64%), and West Lake Hills’ rate for it is lower than 85% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in West Lake Hills.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where West Lake Hills’ 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.