Photo: Texas Department of Criminal JusticePublic information released under the Texas Public Information ActReleased by Attorney Yolanda M. Torres[1] · Public domainMore hazard damage per building is expected in West Livingston than in 71% of U.S. towns, led by river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, West Livingston gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 71% of U.S. towns, #481 of 642 in Texas. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (48%), then hurricanes (35%). Flood insurance has paid 1 claim here since 1997.
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 Livingston 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
Hurricanes
Tornadoes
Strong wind
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 Livingston’s grade
River and rain flooding is 48% of the building damage FEMA expects in West Livingston, and West Livingston’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 55% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 7%, at a rate in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts.
C #481 of 642 in Texas; higher expected damage per building than 71% of U.S. towns (21,298).
West Livingston’s 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 Livingston has more expected damage per building than 75% of Texas towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $3.3M a year in losses across West Livingston: $1.7M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does West Livingston flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 1997
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in West Livingston, 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 Livingston isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Polk County.The storms West Livingston remembers
None of the 23 disasters declared for Polk County shows FEMA aid or repair money reaching West Livingston itself in FEMA’s records, so these are its biggest flood-claim years.
- 19971 flood claims paidNo declaration for the county that year
Polk County has had 23 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then hurricanes and tropical storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of West Livingston after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the West Livingston archive →West Livingston and its neighbors
West Livingston has the lowest expected damage per building of the 2 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| West Livingston | Cmore damage than 71% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Livingston | Cmore damage than 74% | river and rain flooding | 51 |
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 Livingston 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.
- The season runs June through November and peaks from mid-August to mid-October.
- Bring in porch furniture and anything the wind can throw.
- Fill the gas tank and charge phones before the storm arrives.
- 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.
- Trim dead limbs over the house and driveway.
- Tie down trash cans and outdoor furniture.
- Stay clear of downed lines and call the utility.
- 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 Livingston
Is West Livingston at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, West Livingston has higher expected damage per building than 71% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #481 of 642 in Texas. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (48%) and hurricanes (35%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does West Livingston flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in West Livingston since 1997, $7K in all, or 0.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 93% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is West Livingston 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 Polk County, 25% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 2.5% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in West Livingston?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for West Livingston’s flood program. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
Is West Livingston at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (48%), and West Livingston’s rate for it is lower than 55% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in West Livingston.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where West Livingston’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.