Photo: Corey Coyle · CC BY 3.0FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in West Point than in 92% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, West Point gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 92% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (55%), then hail (41%). Flood insurance has paid 9 claims here since 2007.
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 Point 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
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 Point’s grade
River and rain flooding is 55% of the building damage FEMA expects in West Point, and West Point’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 87% of U.S. census tracts. Hail adds 41%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
D higher expected damage per building than 92% of U.S. towns (21,298).
West Point’s residents live in 2 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.2M a year in losses across West Point: $1.8M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does West Point flood? Rarely: 9 flood claims since 2007
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in West Point, from FEMA’s records: 7.6 per 1,000 homes, more than 69% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The March 2019 Midwest Flooding4 claims · $96K
West Point isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Columbia County.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to West Point
Disasters that paid out in West Point itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of West Point), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2008Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding$65K to the Town of West Point for repairs
- 2000Snow$2K to the Town of West Point for repairs
Columbia County has had 8 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then winter storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of West Point after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the West Point archive →West Point and its neighbors
West Point is 6th of the 7 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Roxbury | B+less damage than 74% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Prairie du Sac | C+more damage than 61% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Prairie du Sac | Cmore damage than 71% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Merrimac | Dmore damage than 86% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Caledonia | Dmore damage than 88% | hail | 26 |
| West Point | Dmore damage than 92% | river and rain flooding | 9 |
| Dekorra | Dmore damage than 93% | river and rain flooding | 25 |
| Lake Wisconsin | — | a Census area inside a town; graded with the town | |
| Merrimac | — | 570 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Lodi | — | not graded yet | |
| Dane | — | not graded yet | |
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 Point 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.
- 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 Point
Is West Point at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, West Point has higher expected damage per building than 92% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (55%) and hail (41%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does West Point flood?
Flood insurance has paid 9 claims in West Point since 2007, $144K in all, or 7.6 per 1,000 homes, more than 69% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from March 2019 Midwest Flooding (4).
Is West Point 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 Columbia County, 23% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.6% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in West Point?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for West Point’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 Point?
By FEMA money that reached West Point, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2008): $65K to the Town of West Point for repairs. By flood claims, March 2019 Midwest Flooding: 4 paid, $96K.
Is West Point at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (55%), and West Point’s rate for it is higher than 87% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in West Point.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where West Point’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.