Photo: JackTheVicar · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA expects less hazard damage per building in Newton than in 70% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Newton gets a B+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 70% of U.S. towns, #95 of 468 in New Jersey. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (66%), then strong wind (23%). Flood insurance has paid 5 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 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
Strong wind
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 66% of the building damage FEMA expects in Newton, and Newton’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 65% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 23%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
B+ #95 of 468 in New Jersey; lower expected damage per building than 70% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Newton’s residents live in 2 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
The typical New Jersey town has higher expected damage than 56% of U.S. towns; within the state, Newton has less expected damage per building than 80% of New Jersey towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $3.0M a year in losses across Newton: $1.7M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Newton flood? Rarely: 5 flood claims since 1996
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Newton, from FEMA’s records: 1.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 72% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Irene1 claim · $43K
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: Sussex County.8 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Newton
Disasters that paid out in Newton itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Newton), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$66K to the Town of Newton for repairs
- 2012Hurricane Sandy249 households applied for aid$22K aid approved$191K to the Town of Newton for repairs
- 2011Severe Storm$29K to the Town of Newton for repairs
- 2011Hurricane Irene346 households applied for aid$691K aid approved$70K to the Town of Newton for repairs1 flood claim paid for it, $43K
- 2007Severe Storms and Inland and Coastal Flooding$6K to the Town of Newton for repairs
- 2005Severe Storms and Flooding7 households applied for aid$11K aid approved
Show all 8
- 2004Severe Storms and Flooding11 households applied for aid$28K aid approved$18K to the Town of Newton for repairs
- 2000Severe Storms, Flooding and Mudslides$1.5M to the Town of Newton for repairs
Sussex County has had 20 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then hurricanes and tropical storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees; the 2001 World Trade Center declarations.
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 2nd of the 3 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fredon Township | A−less damage than 80% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Newton | B+less damage than 70% | river and rain flooding | 5 |
| Andover Township | B+less damage than 68% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
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.
- Trim dead limbs over the house and driveway.
- Tie down trash cans and outdoor furniture.
- Stay clear of downed lines and call the utility.
- 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 70% of U.S. towns: B+ for hazard risk, #95 of 468 in New Jersey. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (66%) and strong wind (23%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Newton flood?
Flood insurance has paid 5 claims in Newton since 1996, $296K in all, or 1.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 72% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Hurricane Irene (1).
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 Sussex County, 36% 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, Severe Storms, Flooding and Mudslides (2000): $1.5M to the Town of Newton for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Irene: 1 paid, $43K.
Is Newton at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (66%), and Newton’s rate for it is lower than 65% 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.