Photo: Back2reality07 · CC BY-SA 3.0On FEMA’s figures, New Sharon faces more hazard damage per building than 66% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, New Sharon gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 66% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (63%), then hurricanes (20%). Flood insurance has paid 1 claim here since 1987.
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 Sharon 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
Ice storms
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 Sharon’s grade
River and rain flooding is 63% of the building damage FEMA expects in New Sharon, and New Sharon’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 63% of U.S. census tracts. Ice storms add 12%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
C higher expected damage per building than 66% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of New Sharon’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $678K a year in losses across New Sharon: $500K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does New Sharon flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 1987
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in New Sharon, from FEMA’s records: 1.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 71% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
New Sharon isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Franklin County.10 federal disasters brought FEMA money to New Sharon
Disasters that paid out in New Sharon itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of New Sharon), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2023Severe Storm and Flooding22 households applied for aid$104K aid approved$126K to the Town of New Sharon for repairs
- 2023Severe Storm and Flooding$38K to the Town of New Sharon for repairs
- 2022Severe Storm and Flooding$62K to the Town of New Sharon for repairs
- 2017Severe Storm and Flooding$8K to the Town of New Sharon for repairs
- 2011Tropical Storm Irene$37K to the Town of New Sharon for repairs
- 2009Severe Storms, Flooding, and Landslides$30K to the Town of New Sharon for repairs
Show all 10
- 2007Severe Storms and Inland and Coastal Flooding$84K to the Town of New Sharon for repairs
- 2005Severe Storms, Flooding, Snow Melt, and Ice Jams$13K to the Town of New Sharon for repairs
- 2003Severe Storms, Flooding, Snow Melt and Ice Jams$25K to the Town of New Sharon for repairs
- 2000Severe Storms, Flooding, and Ice Jams$30K to the Town of New Sharon for repairs
Franklin County has had 29 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 New Sharon after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the New Sharon archive →New Sharon and its neighbors
New Sharon is 4th of the 4 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rome | B+less damage than 67% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Farmington | B−less damage than 54% | river and rain flooding | 22 |
| Chesterville | Cmore damage than 66% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| New Sharon | Cmore damage than 66% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Mercer | — | 718 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Industry | — | 988 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Starks | — | 556 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Vienna | — | 536 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 Sharon 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.
- Ice brings down trees and lines: plan for days without power.
- Run a generator outside, far from doors and windows.
- Keep sand or salt by the door.
- 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 Sharon
Is New Sharon at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, New Sharon has higher expected damage per building than 66% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (63%) and hurricanes (20%). 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 New Sharon flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in New Sharon since 1987, $23K in all, or 1.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 71% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is New Sharon 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 Franklin County, 0.7% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in New Sharon?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for New Sharon’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 New Sharon?
By FEMA money that reached New Sharon, Severe Storm and Flooding (2023): 22 households applied for aid, $104K approved, and $126K to the Town of New Sharon for repairs.
Is New Sharon at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (63%), and New Sharon’s rate for it is higher than 63% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in New Sharon.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where New Sharon’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.