FEMA expects less hazard damage per building in Newport Township than in 92% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Newport Township gets an A for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 92% of U.S. towns, #14 of 768 in Illinois. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (80%), then tornadoes (15%). Flood insurance has paid 13 claims here since 2000.
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 Newport Township 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
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 Newport Township’s grade
River and rain flooding is 80% of the building damage FEMA expects in Newport Township, and Newport Township’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 74% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 15% (higher than 72% of U.S. census tracts).
A #14 of 768 in Illinois; lower expected damage per building than 92% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Newport Township’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
The typical Illinois town has higher expected damage than 54% of U.S. towns; within the state, Newport Township has less expected damage per building than 98% of Illinois towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.2M a year in losses across Newport Township: $1.4M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Newport Township flood? Sometimes: 13 flood claims since 2000
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Newport Township, from FEMA’s records: 5.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 61% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Mid-spring storms2 claims · $44K
Newport Township isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Lake County.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Newport Township
Disasters that paid out in Newport Township itself (aid to households or repair grants to Newport Township), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2000Illinois Winter Snow Storms$4K to Newport Township for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 1999Il-winter Storm 1/1/99$4K to Newport Township for repairs
Lake County has had 14 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often winter storms, then severe storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Newport Township after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Newport Township archive →Newport Township and its neighbors
Newport Township is 5th of the 9 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bristol | A+less damage than 98% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Zion | A+less damage than 96% | river and rain flooding | 12 |
| Benton Township | Aless damage than 94% | river and rain flooding | 20 |
| Beach Park | Aless damage than 92% | river and rain flooding | 14 |
| Newport Township | Aless damage than 92% | river and rain flooding | 13 |
| Wadsworth | Aless damage than 91% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Warren Township | Aless damage than 85% | river and rain flooding | 99 |
| Lindenhurst | B+less damage than 73% | river and rain flooding | 10 |
| Antioch Township | Cmore damage than 67% | river and rain flooding | 249 |
| Zion Township | — | not graded yet | |
| Old Mill Creek | — | 143 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 Newport Township 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.
- 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 Newport Township
Is Newport Township at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Newport Township has lower expected damage per building than 92% of U.S. towns: A for hazard risk, #14 of 768 in Illinois. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (80%) and tornadoes (15%). The figures are for the one census tract the town shares with its neighbors. This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Newport Township flood?
Flood insurance has paid 13 claims in Newport Township since 2000, $239K in all, or 5.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 61% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Mid-spring storms (2).
Is Newport Township 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 Lake County, 24% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.8% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Newport Township?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Newport Township’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 Newport Township?
By FEMA money that reached Newport Township, Illinois Winter Snow Storms (2000): $4K to Newport Township for repairs. By flood claims, Mid-spring storms: 2 paid, $44K.
Is Newport Township at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (80%), and Newport Township’s rate for it is lower than 74% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Newport Township.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Newport Township’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.