Mahned Bridge · Photo: Woodlot · CC BY-SA 3.0Storms, floods and disasters in New Augusta
New Augusta isn’t graded for hazard risk: New Augusta has 590 residents; we grade towns of 1,000 or more. Flood insurance has paid 13 claims here since 1979.
What New Augusta 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
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.
Does New Augusta flood? Sometimes: 13 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in New Augusta, from FEMA’s records.
- Hurricane Isaac1 claim · $6K
- The Late winter severe storms1 claim · $39K
New Augusta isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Perry County.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to New Augusta
Disasters that paid out in New Augusta itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of New Augusta), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2016Severe Storms and Flooding33 households applied for aid$95K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2013Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding19 households applied for aid$18K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2005Hurricane Katrina452 households applied for aid$1.0M aid approved
- 2004Hurricane Ivan21 households applied for aid$27K aid approved
Perry County has had 26 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often hurricanes and tropical storms, then severe storms.
Old photos of New Augusta after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the New Augusta archive →Get ready for what New Augusta 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.
- 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 Augusta
Does New Augusta flood?
Flood insurance has paid 13 claims in New Augusta since 1979, $178K in all. 4 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Isaac (1).
Is New Augusta 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 Perry County, 5% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.6% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in New Augusta?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for New Augusta’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 Augusta?
By FEMA money that reached New Augusta, Hurricane Katrina (2005): 452 households applied for aid, $1.0M approved. By flood claims, Hurricane Isaac: 1 paid, $6K.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in New Augusta.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where New Augusta’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.