Photo: Boscophotos · CC BY-SA 3.0On FEMA’s figures, Newton faces less hazard damage per building than 79% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Newton gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 79% of U.S. towns, #23 of 140 in Iowa. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (55%), then tornadoes (28%). Flood insurance has paid 2 claims here since 2014.
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 Newton 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
Tornadoes
Strong wind
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 Newton’s grade
River and rain flooding is 55% of the building damage FEMA expects in Newton, and Newton’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 81% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 28%, at a rate in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts.
A− #23 of 140 in Iowa; lower expected damage per building than 79% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Newton’s residents live in 6 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
The typical Iowa town has lower expected damage than 57% of U.S. towns; within the state, Newton has less expected damage per building than 84% of Iowa towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $3.8M a year in losses across Newton: $2.6M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Newton flood? Rarely: 2 flood claims since 2014
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Newton, from FEMA’s records: 0.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 95% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Newton isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Jasper County.8 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Newton
Disasters that paid out in Newton itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Newton), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding200 households applied for aid$1.0M aid approved$953K to the City of Newton for repairs
- 2020Severe Storms733 households applied for aid$181K aid approved$729K to the City of Newton for repairs
- 2014Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding$24K to the City of Newton for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2013Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding$14K to the City of Newton for repairs
- 2010Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes288 households applied for aid$591K aid approved$59K to the City of Newton for repairs
- 2008Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding36 households applied for aid$92K aid approved$87K to the City of Newton for repairs
Show all 8
- 2007Severe Winter Storms$162K to the City of Newton for repairs
- 2004Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding4 households applied for aid$3K aid approved
Jasper 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.
Old photos of Newton after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Newton archive →Newton and its neighbors
Newton has the lowest expected damage per building of the 1 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Newton | A−less damage than 79% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Lambs Grove | — | 181 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
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 Newton 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.
- Pick your spot now: the lowest floor, an inside room, no windows.
- A watch means be ready; a warning means take cover now.
- Keep shoes and a flashlight by the bed.
- Trim dead limbs over the house and driveway.
- Tie down trash cans and outdoor furniture.
- Stay clear of downed lines and call the utility.
- 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 Newton
Is Newton at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Newton has lower expected damage per building than 79% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk, #23 of 140 in Iowa. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (55%) and tornadoes (28%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Newton flood?
Flood insurance has paid 2 claims in Newton since 2014, $11K in all, or 0.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 95% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Newton 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 Jasper County, 13% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.2% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Newton?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Newton’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 Newton?
By FEMA money that reached Newton, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2024): 200 households applied for aid, $1.0M approved, and $953K to the City of Newton for repairs.
Is Newton at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (55%), and Newton’s rate for it is lower than 81% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Newton.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Newton’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.