Photo: Billy Hathorn at en.wikipedia · CC BY-SA 3.0Storms, floods and disasters in Newellton
Newellton isn’t graded for hazard risk: Newellton has 997 residents; we grade towns of 1,000 or more. Flood insurance has paid 19 claims here since 1979.
What Newellton 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
Hail
Hurricanes
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.
Does Newellton flood? Sometimes: 19 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Newellton, from FEMA’s records.
- Hurricane Gustav1 claim · $9K
Newellton isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Tensas Parish.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Newellton
Disasters that paid out in Newellton itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Newellton), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Severe Winter Storms$8K to the Town of Newellton for repairs
- 2008Hurricane Gustav40 households applied for aid$25K aid approved1 flood claim paid for it, $9K
- 2005Hurricane Rita$8K to the Town of Newellton for repairs
Tensas Parish has had 20 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often hurricanes and tropical storms, then winter storms.
Old photos of Newellton after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Newellton archive →Get ready for what Newellton 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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 Newellton
Does Newellton flood?
Flood insurance has paid 19 claims in Newellton since 1979, $387K in all. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Gustav (1).
Is Newellton 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 Tensas Parish, 8.1% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Newellton?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Newellton’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 Newellton?
By FEMA money that reached Newellton, Hurricane Gustav (2008): 40 households applied for aid, $25K approved. By flood claims, Hurricane Gustav: 1 paid, $9K.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Newellton.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Newellton’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.