Photo: Kenneth C. Zirkel · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA puts Newton’s expected hazard damage per building below that of 80% 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 80% of U.S. towns, #127 of 283 in Massachusetts. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (77%), then hurricanes (10%). Flood insurance has paid 302 claims here since 1978.
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 stands out about Newton’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
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
Hurricanes
Earthquakes
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 77% of the building damage FEMA expects in Newton, and Newton’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 61% of U.S. census tracts. Ice storms add 3%, at a rate in the top 10% of U.S. census tracts.
A− #127 of 283 in Massachusetts; lower expected damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Newton’s residents live in 19 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
The typical Massachusetts town has lower expected damage than 76% of U.S. towns; within the state, Newton has less expected damage per building than 55% of Massachusetts towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $19.7M a year in losses across Newton: $18.0M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Newton flood? Yes: 302 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Newton, from FEMA’s records: 8.9 per 1,000 homes, more than 72% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The March 2010 nor’easter57 claims · $672K
- Hurricane Irene4 claims · $55K
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: Middlesex County.14 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.
- 2018Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$883K to the City of Newton for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2015Severe Winter Storm, Snowstorm, and Flooding$946K to the City of Newton for repairs
- 2013Severe Winter Storm, Snowstorm, and Flooding$745K to the City of Newton for repairs
- 2011Severe Storm and Snowstorm$129K to the City of Newton for repairs
- 2011Hurricane Irene$126K to the City of Newton for repairs4 flood claims paid for it, $55K
- 2011Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$448K to the City of Newton for repairs
Show all 14
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding248 households applied for aid$339K aid approved$365K to the City of Newton for repairs60 flood claims paid that year
- 2008Severe Winter Storm and Flooding$20K to the City of Newton for repairs3 flood claims paid that year
- 2006Severe Storms and Flooding3 households applied for aid$2K aid approved$34K to the City of Newton for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
- 2005Severe Storms and Flooding2 households applied for aid$339 aid approved
- 2005Record And/or Near Record Snow$636K to the City of Newton for repairs
- 2003Snow$451K to the City of Newton for repairs
- 2003Snow$328K to the City of Newton for repairs
- 2001Snow$303K to the City of Newton for repairs18 flood claims paid that year
Middlesex County has had 27 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often winter storms, then hurricanes and tropical storms. 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 is 6th of the 8 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brookline | Aless damage than 94% | river and rain flooding | 19 |
| Boston | Aless damage than 92% | river and rain flooding | 209 |
| Needham | Aless damage than 85% | river and rain flooding | 34 |
| Weston | A−less damage than 84% | river and rain flooding | 24 |
| Wellesley | A−less damage than 81% | river and rain flooding | 36 |
| Newton | A−less damage than 80% | river and rain flooding | 302 |
| Watertown | B+less damage than 72% | river and rain flooding | 14 |
| Waltham | B−less damage than 54% | river and rain flooding | 114 |
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.
- 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.
- Drop, cover and hold on.
- Strap tall furniture and the water heater to the wall.
- Know how to shut off the gas.
- 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 80% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk, #127 of 283 in Massachusetts. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (77%) and hurricanes (10%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Newton flood?
Flood insurance has paid 302 claims in Newton since 1978, $2.1M in all, or 8.9 per 1,000 homes, more than 72% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 47 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from March 2010 Nor'easter (57).
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 Middlesex County, 54% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.0% 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 Winter Storm, Snowstorm, and Flooding (2015): $946K to the City of Newton for repairs. By flood claims, March 2010 Nor'easter: 57 paid, $672K.
Is Newton at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (77%), and Newton’s rate for it is lower than 61% 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.