FEMA expects less hazard damage per building in Westlake than in 66% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Westlake gets a B+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 66% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (51%), then hail (33%). 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 Westlake’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Westlake 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 Westlake’s grade
River and rain flooding is 51% of the building damage FEMA expects in Westlake, and Westlake’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 78% of U.S. census tracts. Hail adds 33%, at a rate in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts.
B+ lower expected damage per building than 66% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Westlake’s residents live in 4 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $685K a year in losses across Westlake: $549K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Westlake flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Westlake. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Westlake isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Tarrant County.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Westlake
Disasters that paid out in Westlake itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Westlake), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Severe Winter Storms6 households applied for aid$1K aid approved
- 2007Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding2 households applied for aid$12K aid approved
Tarrant County has had 21 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.
Also 1 FEMA wildfire suppression grant (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Tarrant County, 2005–2005.
Old photos of Westlake after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Westlake archive →Westlake and its neighbors
Westlake is 2nd of the 5 graded towns here, from least expected damage per building to most. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Roanoke | B+less damage than 66% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Westlake | B+less damage than 66% | river and rain flooding | 0 |
| Southlake | B−less damage than 52% | river and rain flooding | 26 |
| Keller | B−more damage than 52% | river and rain flooding | 46 |
| Trophy Club | C+more damage than 60% | river and rain flooding | 21 |
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 Westlake 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 Westlake
Is Westlake at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Westlake has lower expected damage per building than 66% of U.S. towns: B+ for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (51%) and hail (33%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Is Westlake 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 Tarrant County, 0.9% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Westlake?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Westlake’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 Westlake?
By FEMA money that reached Westlake, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2007): 2 households applied for aid, $12K approved.
Is Westlake at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (51%), and Westlake’s rate for it is lower than 78% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Westlake.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Westlake’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.