On FEMA’s figures, few U.S. towns expect more hazard damage per building than Newport, mostly from hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Newport gets a D− for hazard risk: among the highest expected damage per building of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (88%), then river and rain flooding (10%). Flood insurance has paid 81 claims here since 1996.
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 Newport’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Newport faces
Each hazard’s share of the building damage FEMA expects here, and how its rate compares with the rest of the country.
Hurricanes
River and rain flooding
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’s grade
Hurricanes are 88% of the building damage FEMA expects in Newport, and Newport’s rate of hurricanes damage is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts. Wildfire adds 1%, at a rate in the top 7% of U.S. census tracts.
D− #289 of 290 in North Carolina; among the highest expected damage per building of U.S. towns (21,298).
Newport’s residents live in 4 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
The typical North Carolina town has lower expected damage than 51% of U.S. towns; within the state, Newport has more expected damage per building than 100% of North Carolina towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $5.2M a year in losses across Newport: $4.7M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Newport flood? Sometimes: 81 flood claims since 1996
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Newport, from FEMA’s records: 43.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 92% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Florence68 claims · $5.4M
- Hurricane Fran5 claims · $19K
- Hurricane Floyd3 claims · $19K
Newport is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 8) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Carteret County.7 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Newport
Disasters that paid out in Newport itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Newport), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Tropical Storm Helene17 households applied for aid$1K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2018Hurricane Florence2,924 households applied for aid$3.7M aid approved$962K to the Town of Newport for repairs68 flood claims paid for it, $5.4M
- 2016Hurricane Matthew19 households applied for aid$47K aid approved$19K to the Town of Newport for repairs
- 2011Hurricane Irene303 households applied for aid$200K aid approved$36K to the Town of Newport for repairs1 flood claim paid for it, $16K
- 2003Hurricane Isabel79 households applied for aid$62K aid approved$8K to the Town of Newport for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 1999Hurricane Floyd Major Disaster Declarations$95K to the Town of Newport for repairs3 flood claims paid for it, $19K
Show all 7
- 1999Hurricane Dennis$6K to the Town of Newport for repairs
Carteret County has had 20 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often hurricanes and tropical storms, then winter storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Newport after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Newport archive →Get ready for what Newport faces
A short kit for the hazards that drive the building damage here, what to check before you buy, and where neighbors get alerts.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Newport residents get 10% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Newport
Is Newport at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Newport has among the highest expected damage per building of U.S. towns: D− for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (88%) and river and rain flooding (10%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Newport flood?
Flood insurance has paid 81 claims in Newport since 1996, $5.5M in all, or 43.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 92% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Florence (68).
Is Newport 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 Carteret County, 52% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 21.5% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Newport?
Newport is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 8), which takes 10% off federal flood insurance policies for its flood-proofing work. 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?
By FEMA money that reached Newport, Hurricane Florence (2018): 2,924 households applied for aid, $3.7M approved, and $962K to the Town of Newport for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Florence: 68 paid, $5.4M.
Is Newport at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (88%), and Newport’s rate for it is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Newport.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Newport’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.