FEMA puts New Athens’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 84% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, New Athens gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 84% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (62%), then earthquakes (27%). Flood insurance has paid 6 claims here since 1993.
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 New Athens 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
Earthquakes
Tornadoes
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 Athens’ grade
River and rain flooding is 62% of the building damage FEMA expects in New Athens, and New Athens’ rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 79% of U.S. census tracts. Next is earthquakes at 27% (higher than 86% of U.S. census tracts).
C− higher expected damage per building than 84% of U.S. towns (21,298).
New Athens’ residents live in 2 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.3M a year in losses across New Athens: $808K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does New Athens flood? Rarely: 6 flood claims since 1993
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in New Athens, from FEMA’s records: 6.6 per 1,000 homes, more than 66% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Midwest Flooding2 claims · $13K
- The Mid-spring storms1 claim · $5K
New Athens isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: St. Clair County.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to New Athens
Disasters that paid out in New Athens itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Village of New Athens), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Floodng14 households applied for aid$62K aid approved
- 2008Severe Storms and Flooding$53K to the Village of New Athens for repairs
- 2006Severe Winter Storm$11K to the Village of New Athens for repairs
St. Clair County has had 16 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often floods, then severe storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of New Athens after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the New Athens archive →New Athens and its neighbors
New Athens is 2nd of the 2 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 Athens Township | C−more damage than 84% | river and rain flooding | 11 |
| New Athens | C−more damage than 84% | river and rain flooding | 6 |
| Lenzburg Township | — | 943 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 New Athens 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.
- Drop, cover and hold on.
- Strap tall furniture and the water heater to the wall.
- Know how to shut off the gas.
- 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.
- 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 New Athens
Is New Athens at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, New Athens has higher expected damage per building than 84% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (62%) and earthquakes (27%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does New Athens flood?
Flood insurance has paid 6 claims in New Athens since 1993, $25K in all, or 6.6 per 1,000 homes, more than 66% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Midwest Flooding (2).
Is New Athens 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 St. Clair County, 1.0% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in New Athens?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for New Athens’ 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 New Athens?
By FEMA money that reached New Athens, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Floodng (2024): 14 households applied for aid, $62K approved. By flood claims, Midwest Flooding: 2 paid, $13K.
Is New Athens at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (62%), and New Athens’ rate for it is higher than 79% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in New Athens.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where New Athens’ 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.