Photo: Brian Stansberry · CC BY 4.0FEMA expects less hazard damage per building in Newton than in 90% 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 90% of U.S. towns, #1 of 290 in North Carolina. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (68%), then tornadoes (11%). Flood insurance has paid 3 claims here since 2013.
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
Tornadoes
Earthquakes
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 Newton’s grade
River and rain flooding is 68% of the building damage FEMA expects in Newton, and Newton’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 82% of U.S. census tracts. Ice storms add 6%, at a rate in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts.
A #1 of 290 in North Carolina; lower expected damage per building than 90% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Newton’s residents live in 7 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, Newton has less expected damage per building than 100% of North Carolina towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $3.4M a year in losses across Newton: $2.7M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Newton flood? Rarely: 3 flood claims since 2013
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Newton, from FEMA’s records: 0.5 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 88% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
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: Catawba County.4 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.
- 2024Tropical Storm Helene804 households applied for aid$626K aid approved$204K to the City of Newton for repairs
- 2013Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, Mudslides$332K to the City of Newton for repairs3 flood claims paid that year
- 2004Tropical Storm Frances1 households applied for aid$1K aid approved
- 2002Severe Ice Storm$102K to the City of Newton for repairs
Catawba County has had 17 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 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 has the lowest expected damage per building of the 3 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
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.
- 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.
- Drop, cover and hold on.
- Strap tall furniture and the water heater to the wall.
- Know how to shut off the gas.
- 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 Newton
Is Newton at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Newton has lower expected damage per building than 90% of U.S. towns: A for hazard risk, #1 of 290 in North Carolina. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (68%) and tornadoes (11%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Newton flood?
Flood insurance has paid 3 claims in Newton since 2013, $50K in all, or 0.5 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 88% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
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 Catawba County, 31% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.3% 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, Tropical Storm Helene (2024): 804 households applied for aid, $626K approved, and $204K to the City of Newton for repairs.
Is Newton at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (68%), and Newton’s rate for it is lower than 82% 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.