Photo: Ryan Watern1 · CC BY-SA 4.0New Port Richey’s building-damage rate from coastal flooding is in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, New Port Richey gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 64% of U.S. towns, #117 of 638 in Florida. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (49%), then river and rain flooding (36%). Flood insurance has paid 1,017 claims here since 1978.
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 New Port Richey’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What New Port Richey faces
Each hazard’s share of the building damage FEMA expects here, and how its rate compares with the rest of the country.
Hurricanes
River and rain flooding
Coastal 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 New Port Richey’s grade
Hurricanes are 49% of the building damage FEMA expects in New Port Richey, and New Port Richey’s rate of hurricanes damage is in the top 9% of U.S. census tracts. Coastal flooding adds 9%, at a rate in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts.
C+ #117 of 638 in Florida; higher expected damage per building than 64% of U.S. towns (21,298).
New Port Richey’s residents live in 9 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
The typical Florida town has higher expected damage than 79% of U.S. towns; within the state, New Port Richey has less expected damage per building than 82% of Florida towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $5.9M a year in losses across New Port Richey: $5.0M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does New Port Richey flood? Yes: 1,017 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in New Port Richey, from FEMA’s records: 106.3 per 1,000 homes, more than 96% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Helene374 claims · $34.8M
- The Blizzard of 1993215 claims · $4.9M
- Hurricane Josephine110 claims · $1.1M
New Port Richey is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 6) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Pasco County.11 federal disasters brought FEMA money to New Port Richey
Disasters that paid out in New Port Richey itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of New Port Richey), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Hurricane Milton10,846 households applied for aid$7.5M aid approved$501K to the City of New Port Richey for repairs
- 2024Hurricane Helene8,710 households applied for aid$44.3M aid approved$778K to the City of New Port Richey for repairs374 flood claims paid for it, $34.8M
- 2023Hurricane Idalia1,262 households applied for aid$3.0M aid approved$116K to the City of New Port Richey for repairs85 flood claims paid for it, $5.8M
- 2022Hurricane Ian1,395 households applied for aid$415K aid approved$126K to the City of New Port Richey for repairs
- 2017Hurricane Irma11,171 households applied for aid$3.9M aid approved$338K to the City of New Port Richey for repairs4 flood claims paid that year
- 2016Hurricane Hermine270 households applied for aid$436K aid approved$48K to the City of New Port Richey for repairs38 flood claims paid for it, $1.3M
Show all 11
- 2012Tropical Storm Debby1,060 households applied for aid$1.9M aid approved$90K to the City of New Port Richey for repairs49 flood claims paid for it, $969K
- 2004Hurricane Jeanne1,056 households applied for aid$1.4M aid approved$50K to the City of New Port Richey for repairs
- 2004Hurricane Ivan53 households applied for aid$4K aid approved
- 2004Hurricane Frances756 households applied for aid$1.2M aid approved$190K to the City of New Port Richey for repairs
- 2004Tropical Storm Bonnie and Hurricane Charley129 households applied for aid$151K aid approved$14K to the City of New Port Richey for repairs
Pasco County has had 33 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often hurricanes and tropical storms, then severe 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 Pasco County, 2000–2000.
Old photos of New Port Richey after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the New Port Richey archive →New Port Richey and its neighbors
New Port Richey is 3rd 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Port Richey East | C+more damage than 62% | hurricanes | 62 |
| Elfers | C+more damage than 63% | hurricanes | 57 |
| New Port Richey | C+more damage than 64% | hurricanes | 1,017 |
| Beacon Square | Cmore damage than 66% | hurricanes | 416 |
| Port Richey | Dmore damage than 89% | coastal flooding | 1,143 |
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 New Port Richey faces
A short kit for the hazards that drive the building damage here, what to check before you buy, and where neighbors get alerts.
- The season runs June through November and peaks from mid-August to mid-October.
- Bring in porch furniture and anything the wind can throw.
- Fill the gas tank and charge phones before the storm arrives.
- 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.
- Know your evacuation zone and the way off the coast.
- Storm surge comes fast: leave when you’re told, not when the water arrives.
- Move cars to high ground before king tides and nor’easters.
- 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.
- New Port Richey residents get 20% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in New Port Richey
Is New Port Richey at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, New Port Richey has higher expected damage per building than 64% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk, #117 of 638 in Florida. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (49%) and river and rain flooding (36%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does New Port Richey flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1,017 claims in New Port Richey since 1978, $50.8M in all, or 106.3 per 1,000 homes, more than 96% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 117 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Helene (374).
Is New Port Richey 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 Pasco County, 47% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 10.3% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in New Port Richey?
New Port Richey is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 6), which takes 20% 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 New Port Richey?
By FEMA money that reached New Port Richey, Hurricane Helene (2024): 8,710 households applied for aid, $44.3M approved, and $778K to the City of New Port Richey for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Helene: 374 paid, $34.8M.
Is New Port Richey at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (49%), and New Port Richey’s rate for it is in the top 9% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in New Port Richey.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where New Port Richey’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.