Photo: Mjrmtg · CC BY 4.0FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Newberry than in 82% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Newberry gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 82% of U.S. towns, #350 of 638 in Florida. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (55%), then hurricanes (36%). Flood insurance has paid 3 claims here since 1983.
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 Newberry 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
Hurricanes
Wildfire
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 Newberry’s grade
River and rain flooding is 55% of the building damage FEMA expects in Newberry, and Newberry’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 71% of U.S. census tracts. Hurricanes add 36%, at a rate in the top 10% of U.S. census tracts.
C− #350 of 638 in Florida; higher expected damage per building than 82% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Newberry’s residents live in 4 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, Newberry has more expected damage per building than 55% of Florida towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.9M a year in losses across Newberry: $2.1M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Newberry flood? Rarely: 3 flood claims since 1983
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Newberry, from FEMA’s records: 0.9 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 79% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Blizzard of 19931 claim · $21K
Newberry isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Alachua County.10 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Newberry
Disasters that paid out in Newberry itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Newberry), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Hurricane Milton8 households applied for aid$21K to the City of Newberry for repairs
- 2024Hurricane Helene531 households applied for aid$650K aid approved$181K to the City of Newberry for repairs
- 2024Hurricane Debby217 households applied for aid$285K aid approved$35K to the City of Newberry for repairs
- 2023Hurricane Idalia7 households applied for aid$1K aid approved$47K to the City of Newberry for repairs
- 2017Hurricane Irma819 households applied for aid$274K aid approved$109K to the City of Newberry for repairs
- 2016Hurricane Hermine$29K to the City of Newberry for repairs
Show all 10
- 2008Tropical Storm Fay4 households applied for aid$5K aid approved
- 2004Hurricane Jeanne137 households applied for aid$129K aid approved$35K to the City of Newberry for repairs
- 2004Hurricane Frances242 households applied for aid$282K aid approved$71K to the City of Newberry for repairs
- 2004Tropical Storm Bonnie and Hurricane Charley$2K to the City of Newberry for repairs
Alachua County has had 21 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 3 FEMA wildfire suppression grants (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Alachua County, 1999–2007.
Old photos of Newberry after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Newberry archive →Newberry and its neighbors
Newberry is 2nd of the 3 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Archer | C−more damage than 78% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Newberry | C−more damage than 82% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| High Springs | Dmore damage than 85% | river and rain flooding | — |
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 Newberry 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.
- 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.
- Clear dead leaves and brush within 5 feet of the house.
- Sign up for local alerts and know two ways out.
- Keep N95 masks for smoky days.
- 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 Newberry
Is Newberry at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Newberry has higher expected damage per building than 82% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #350 of 638 in Florida. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (55%) and hurricanes (36%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Newberry flood?
Flood insurance has paid 3 claims in Newberry since 1983, $27K in all, or 0.9 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 79% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Blizzard of 1993 (1).
Is Newberry 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 Alachua County, 18% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 2.5% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Newberry?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Newberry’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 Newberry?
By FEMA money that reached Newberry, Hurricane Helene (2024): 531 households applied for aid, $650K approved, and $181K to the City of Newberry for repairs. By flood claims, Blizzard of 1993: 1 paid, $21K.
Is Newberry at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (55%), and Newberry’s rate for it is higher than 71% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Newberry.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Newberry’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.