Photo: Texasfebruary2008_004.jpg: Bernardino Trevilla Langer CzechStopFFF2010_4kpx.jpg: Lm13700 Aerial_view_of_town_of_West,_TX_looking_northeast.jpg: HuecoBear derivative work: Jayb · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA expects less hazard damage per building in West than almost anywhere in the U.S., mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, West gets an A+ for hazard risk: among the lowest expected damage per building of U.S. towns, #2 of 642 in Texas. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (62%), then tornadoes (21%). 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 stands out about West’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What West 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
Hurricanes
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’s grade
River and rain flooding is 62% of the building damage FEMA expects in West, and West’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 96% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 21% (higher than 71% of U.S. census tracts).
A+ #2 of 642 in Texas; among the lowest expected damage per building of U.S. towns (21,298).
West’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 has less expected damage per building than 100% of Texas towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $817K a year in losses across West: $354K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does West flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in West. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
West isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: McLennan County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to West
Disasters that paid out in West itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of West), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Severe Winter Storms30 households applied for aid$25K aid approved
McLennan County has had 17 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 after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the West archive →Get ready for what West 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.
- 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.
- 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
Is West at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, West has among the lowest expected damage per building of U.S. towns: A+ for hazard risk, #2 of 642 in Texas. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (62%) and tornadoes (21%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Is West 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 McLennan County, 33% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.0% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in West?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for West’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?
By FEMA money that reached West, Severe Winter Storms (2021): 30 households applied for aid, $25K approved.
Is West at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (62%), and West’s rate for it is lower than 96% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in West.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where West’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.