Photo: Michael Barratt · Public domainFEMA puts Westport’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 96% of U.S. towns, mostly from earthquakes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Westport gets a D− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 96% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is earthquakes (62%), then tsunamis (22%). Flood insurance has paid 7 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 Westport’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Westport faces
Each hazard’s share of the building damage FEMA expects here, and how its rate compares with the rest of the country.
Earthquakes
Tsunamis
River and rain 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 Westport’s grade
Earthquakes are 62% of the building damage FEMA expects in Westport, and Westport’s rate of earthquakes damage is in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts. Tsunamis add 22%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
D− higher expected damage per building than 96% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Westport’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $5.8M a year in losses across Westport: $2.4M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Westport flood? Rarely: 7 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Westport, from FEMA’s records: 4.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 56% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Westport is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 8) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Grays Harbor County.8 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Westport
Disasters that paid out in Westport itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Westport), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2025Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides2 households applied for aid$14K aid approved
- 2024Severe Winter Storms, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides$17K to the City of Westport for repairs
- 2020Severe Winter Storm, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides$14K to the City of Westport for repairs
- 2020Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides$56K to the City of Westport for repairs
- 2007Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides174 households applied for aid$53K aid approved$58K to the City of Westport for repairs
- 2006Severe Storms, Flooding, Tidal Surge, Landslides, and Mudslides$6K to the City of Westport for repairs3 flood claims paid that year
Show all 8
- 2003Severe Storms and Flooding4 households applied for aid$34K to the City of Westport for repairs
- 2001Earthquake$2K to the City of Westport for repairs
Grays Harbor County has had 30 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often floods, then severe storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Westport after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Westport archive →Westport and its neighbors
Westport has the lowest expected damage per building of the 1 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Westport | D−more damage than 96% | earthquakes | 7 |
| Cohassett Beach | — | 455 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
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 Westport faces
A short kit for the hazards that drive the building damage here, what to check before you buy, and where neighbors get alerts.
- Drop, cover and hold on.
- Strap tall furniture and the water heater to the wall.
- Know how to shut off the gas.
- Strong shaking or a sudden drop in the sea means head for high ground now.
- Learn the tsunami route signs near the shore.
- Stay away until officials say it’s safe.
- 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.
- 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.
- Westport residents get 10% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Westport
Is Westport at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Westport has higher expected damage per building than 96% of U.S. towns: D− for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is earthquakes (62%) and tsunamis (22%). The figures are for the one census tract the town shares with its neighbors. This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Westport flood?
Flood insurance has paid 7 claims in Westport since 1979, $124K in all, or 4.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 56% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Westport 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 Grays Harbor County, 19% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 4.1% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Westport?
Westport is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 8), which takes 10% off federal flood insurance policies for its flood-proofing work. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
What was the biggest storm in Westport?
By FEMA money that reached Westport, Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides (2007): 174 households applied for aid, $53K approved, and $58K to the City of Westport for repairs.
Is Westport at risk from earthquakes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (62%), and Westport’s rate for it is in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Westport.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Westport’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.