More hazard damage per building is expected in Newark than in 94% of U.S. towns, mostly from earthquakes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Newark gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 94% of U.S. towns, #495 of 847 in California. Most of that expected damage is earthquakes (62%), then river and rain flooding (38%). 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 Newark faces
Each hazard’s share of the building damage FEMA expects here, and how its rate compares with the rest of the country.
Earthquakes
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 Newark’s grade
Earthquakes are 62% of the building damage FEMA expects in Newark, and Newark’s rate of earthquakes damage is in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts. Next is river and rain flooding at 38% (higher than 80% of U.S. census tracts).
D #495 of 847 in California; higher expected damage per building than 94% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Newark’s residents live in 8 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
The typical California town has higher expected damage than 92% of U.S. towns; within the state, Newark has more expected damage per building than 58% of California towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $42.9M a year in losses across Newark: $35.5M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Newark flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Newark. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Newark isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Alameda County.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Newark
Disasters that paid out in Newark itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Newark), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2023Severe Winter Storms, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides$41K to the City of Newark for repairs
- 2022Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides16 households applied for aid$86K to the City of Newark for repairs
Alameda County has had 20 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then floods. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Newark after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Newark archive →Get ready for what Newark 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.
- 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.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Newark
Is Newark at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Newark has higher expected damage per building than 94% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk, #495 of 847 in California. Most of the expected damage is earthquakes (62%) and river and rain flooding (38%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Is Newark 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 Alameda County, 36% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.8% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Newark?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Newark’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 Newark?
By FEMA money that reached Newark, Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides (2022): 16 households applied for aid, $0 approved, and $86K to the City of Newark for repairs.
Is Newark at risk from earthquakes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (62%), and Newark’s rate for it is in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Newark.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Newark’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.