Photo: Publichall · CC BY-SA 4.0More hazard damage per building is expected in Newman than in 81% of U.S. towns, mostly from earthquakes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Newman gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 81% of U.S. towns, #182 of 847 in California. Most of that expected damage is earthquakes (52%), then river and rain flooding (48%). Flood insurance has paid 24 claims here since 1995.
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 Newman’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Newman 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 Newman’s grade
Earthquakes are 52% of the building damage FEMA expects in Newman, and Newman’s rate of earthquakes damage is in the top 9% of U.S. census tracts. Next is river and rain flooding at 48% (higher than 61% of U.S. census tracts).
C− #182 of 847 in California; higher expected damage per building than 81% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Newman’s residents live in 2 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, Newman has less expected damage per building than 79% of California towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $4.8M a year in losses across Newman: $3.4M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Newman flood? Sometimes: 24 flood claims since 1995
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Newman, from FEMA’s records: 6.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 65% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Pineapple Express - Southern11 claims · $107K
Newman is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 9) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Stanislaus County.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Newman
Disasters that paid out in Newman itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Newman), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2020Wildfires2 households applied for aid$2K aid approved
- 2017Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides$50K to the City of Newman for repairs
Stanislaus County has had 16 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.
Also 1 FEMA wildfire suppression grant (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Stanislaus County, 2020–2020.
Old photos of Newman after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Newman archive →Get ready for what Newman 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.
- Newman residents get 05% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Newman
Is Newman at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Newman has higher expected damage per building than 81% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #182 of 847 in California. Most of the expected damage is earthquakes (52%) and river and rain flooding (48%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Newman flood?
Flood insurance has paid 24 claims in Newman since 1995, $405K in all, or 6.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 65% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 3 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Pineapple Express - Southern (11).
Is Newman 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 Stanislaus County, 23% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.4% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Newman?
Newman is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 9), which takes 05% 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 Newman?
By FEMA money that reached Newman, Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides (2017): $50K to the City of Newman for repairs. By flood claims, Pineapple Express - Southern: 11 paid, $107K.
Is Newman at risk from earthquakes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (52%), and Newman’s rate for it is in the top 9% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Newman.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Newman’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.