FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in West Orange than in 87% of U.S. towns, mostly from hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, West Orange gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 87% of U.S. towns, #617 of 642 in Texas. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (57%), then river and rain flooding (25%). Flood insurance has paid 340 claims here since 1979.
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 stands out about West Orange’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What West Orange faces
Each hazard’s share of the building damage FEMA expects here, and how its rate compares with the rest of the country.
Hurricanes
River and rain flooding
Coastal 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 Orange’s grade
Hurricanes are 57% of the building damage FEMA expects in West Orange, and West Orange’s rate of hurricanes damage is in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts. Coastal flooding adds 10%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
D #617 of 642 in Texas; higher expected damage per building than 87% of U.S. towns (21,298).
West Orange’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 Orange has more expected damage per building than 96% of Texas towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.5M a year in losses across West Orange: $1.8M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does West Orange flood? Yes: 340 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in West Orange, from FEMA’s records: 206.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 98% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Harvey165 claims · $10.5M
- Hurricane Ike150 claims · $9.0M
- The Heavy rains4 claims · $108K
West Orange isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Orange County.11 federal disasters brought FEMA money to West Orange
Disasters that paid out in West Orange itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of West Orange), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Hurricane Beryl94 households applied for aid$106K aid approved
- 2021Severe Winter Storms38 households applied for aid$20K aid approved$10K to the City of West Orange for repairs
- 2020Tropical Storms Marco and Laura$115K to the City of West Orange for repairs
- 2019Tropical Storm Imelda20 households applied for aid$1K aid approved2 flood claims paid for it, $10K
- 2017Hurricane Harvey219 households applied for aid$649K aid approved$132K to the City of West Orange for repairs165 flood claims paid for it, $10.5M
- 2016Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding6 households applied for aid$7K to the City of West Orange for repairs
Show all 11
- 2008Hurricane Ike77 households applied for aid$487K aid approved$400K to the City of West Orange for repairs150 flood claims paid for it, $9.0M
- 2008Hurricane Gustav$23K to the City of West Orange for repairs
- 2005Hurricane Rita47 households applied for aid$106K aid approved$145K to the City of West Orange for repairs4 flood claims paid for it, $47K
- 2005Hurricane Rita$2K to the City of West Orange for repairs4 flood claims paid for it, $47K
- 2005Hurricane Katrina Evacuation$21K to the City of West Orange for repairs
Orange County has had 24 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 Orange after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the West Orange archive →West Orange and its neighbors
West Orange 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 Orange | Dmore damage than 87% | hurricanes | 340 |
| Orange | Dmore damage than 88% | hurricanes | 1,555 |
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 Orange faces
A short kit for the hazards that drive the building damage here, what to check before you buy, and where neighbors get alerts.
- 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.
- 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.
- Know your evacuation zone and the way off the coast.
- Storm surge comes fast: leave when you’re told, not when the water arrives.
- Move cars to high ground before king tides and nor’easters.
- 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 Orange
Is West Orange at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, West Orange has higher expected damage per building than 87% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk, #617 of 642 in Texas. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (57%) and river and rain flooding (25%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does West Orange flood?
Flood insurance has paid 340 claims in West Orange since 1979, $19.9M in all, or 206.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 98% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 59 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Harvey (165).
Is West Orange 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 Orange County, 29.8% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in West Orange?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for West Orange’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 Orange?
By FEMA money that reached West Orange, Hurricane Ike (2008): 77 households applied for aid, $487K approved, and $400K to the City of West Orange for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Harvey: 165 paid, $10.5M.
Is West Orange at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (57%), and West Orange’s rate for it is in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in West Orange.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where West Orange’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.