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New Castle Town Hall (53624008631)Photo: ajay_suresh · CC BY 2.0
AHazard risk
Natural hazards in New Castle · FEMA

Less hazard damage per building is expected in New Castle than in 91% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding

On FEMA’s National Risk Index, New Castle gets an A for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 91% of U.S. towns, #157 of 758 in New York. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (82%), then hurricanes (10%). Flood insurance has paid 143 claims here since 1978.

River and rain flooding 82%Hurricanes 10%Earthquakes 5%

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

less than 91%of U.S. townsLess damageMoreExpected yearly damage per dollar of building, vs. the 21,298 U.S. towns we grade#157 of 758 in New York
Hazard risk
A#157 of 758
in New York · lower than 91% of U.S. towns
Main hazard
River and rain flooding
82% of expected building damage
Flood claims
143
paid since 1978 · $1.7M
Flooded more than once
13
properties · 3 “severe repetitive loss”
Disasters paid out here
8
of 23 declared for Westchester County

What stands out about New Castle’s natural hazards

From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.

Lower expected damage than 91% of U.S. townsFEMA’s model of yearly storm and flood damage per dollar of building.143 paid flood claims since 1978$1.7M in all; 13 properties flooded more than once. More per home than 85% of U.S. towns.Remembers 201129 flood claims were paid for 2011 alone, the most of any year.
By hazard

What New Castle 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

82%of expected building damage
Below average · lower than 72% of U.S. census tracts
Recorded about 4 times a year in the area

Hurricanes

10%of expected building damage
Above average · higher than 72% of U.S. census tracts
Recorded about once every 7 years in the area

Earthquakes

5%of expected building damage
About average · higher than 50% of U.S. census tracts
Smaller shares here
 Tornadoes Strong wind Ice storms Landslides top 4% Wildfire Winter storms Lightning Hail Cold waves Heat waves
FEMA models no building damage here
Coastal floodingAvalanchesTsunamisVolcanic activity

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.

Flood risk changes street by street. Check a specific address on FEMA’s flood map, and ask about flood insurance before you buy.
Hazard risk grade

What’s behind New Castle’s grade

River and rain flooding is 82% of the building damage FEMA expects in New Castle, and New Castle’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 72% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 10% (higher than 72% of U.S. census tracts).

Where New Castle sits
New Castle
Least damageMiddleMost damage

A #157 of 758 in New York; lower expected damage per building than 91% of U.S. towns (21,298).

New Castle’s residents live in 3 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.

What drives the damage to buildings
River and rain flooding82%Hurricanes10%Earthquakes5%Everything else3%

The typical New York town has lower expected damage than 69% of U.S. towns; within the state, New Castle has less expected damage per building than 79% of New York towns.

In dollars, FEMA expects about $4.7M a year in losses across New Castle: $4.0M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.

A small-area figure. New Castle covers 3 census tracts, combined by where residents live. FEMA’s model is an average year for today’s buildings, not a record: the claims and disasters below are the record.

How TownRatings grades hazard risk →

Flood insurance claims

Does New Castle flood? Yes: 143 flood claims since 1978

Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in New Castle, from FEMA’s records: 21.9 per 1,000 homes, more than 85% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.

Paid flood claims, by year
1978: 2 claims1979: 10 claims1980: 24 claims1981: 3 claims1982: 4 claims1983: 3 claims1984: 7 claims1985: 0 claims1986: 2 claims1987: 0 claims1988: 0 claims1989: 1 claim1990: 1 claim1991: 0 claims1992: 0 claims1993: 0 claims1994: 2 claims1995: 0 claims1996: 0 claims1997: 0 claims1998: 0 claims1999: 13 claims2000: 1 claim2001: 2 claims2002: 0 claims2003: 1 claim2004: 2 claims2005: 3 claims2006: 0 claims2007: 5 claims2008: 2 claims2009: 0 claims2010: 3 claims2011: 29 claims2012: 1 claim2013: 2 claims2014: 0 claims2015: 1 claim2016: 0 claims2017: 1 claim2018: 3 claims2019: 1 claim2020: 0 claims2021: 12 claims2022: 0 claims2023: 0 claims2024: 2 claims2025: 0 claims2026: 0 claims198019992011
19782026
Biggest named events
  • Hurricane Irene18 claims · $408K
  • Hurricane Floyd13 claims · $311K
143
paid claims since 1978
$1.7M
paid to owners
13
homes flooded more than once
$12K
average claim
Homes that flooded again and again
FEMA “severe repetitive loss” (3)Flooded 2+ times
of homes in flood zones are insured
of all homes are insured
No community discount

New Castle isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.

Insurance rates: Westchester County.
Disasters

8 federal disasters brought FEMA money to New Castle

Disasters that paid out in New Castle itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of New Castle), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.

  1. 2023Severe Storm and Flooding$28K to the Town of New Castle for repairs
  2. 2021Remnants of Hurricane Ida$3.3M to the Town of New Castle for repairs12 flood claims paid for it, $383K
  3. 2020Tropical Storm Isaias$308K to the Town of New Castle for repairs
  4. 2012Hurricane Sandy$680K to the Town of New Castle for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
  5. 2011Hurricane Irene$385K to the Town of New Castle for repairs18 flood claims paid for it, $408K
  6. 2007Severe Storms and Inland and Coastal Flooding$71K to the Town of New Castle for repairs5 flood claims paid that year
Show all 8
  1. 2003Snow$79K to the Town of New Castle for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
  2. 1999Hurricane Floyd Major Disaster Declarations$693K to the Town of New Castle for repairs13 flood claims paid for it, $311K
Disasters declared, by decade
Paid out in New CastleWestchester County only

Westchester County has had 23 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often hurricanes and tropical storms, then severe storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees; the 2001 World Trade Center declarations.

Were you here?

Old photos of New Castle after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.

Add to the New Castle archive →
Next door

New Castle and its neighbors

New Castle is 4th of the 9 graded towns here, from least expected damage per building to most. Tap a town to see its hazards.

Mount Kisco: hazard risk B+Mount Pleasant: hazard risk AYorktown: hazard risk ASomers: hazard risk AChappaqua: not gradedNorth Castle: hazard risk ABedford: hazard risk A−Ossining: hazard risk A+Armonk: not gradedCortlandt: hazard risk A−Mount KiscoMount PleasantYorktownSomersChappaquaNorth CastleBedfordOssiningArmonkCortlandtNew Castle
Lowest fifthSecondMiddleFourthHighest fifth
TownHazard riskMostly (buildings)Flood claims
OssiningA+less damage than 96%river and rain flooding15
Mount PleasantAless damage than 93%river and rain flooding162
SomersAless damage than 92%river and rain flooding28
New CastleAless damage than 91%river and rain flooding143
YorktownAless damage than 90%river and rain flooding144
North CastleAless damage than 88%river and rain flooding43
CortlandtA−less damage than 84%river and rain flooding74
BedfordA−less damage than 79%river and rain flooding44
Mount KiscoB+less damage than 72%river and rain flooding41
Chappaqua—a Census area inside a town; graded with the town
Armonk—a Census area inside a town; graded with the town

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.

Be ready

Get ready for what New Castle faces

A short kit for the hazards that drive the building damage here, what to check before you buy, and where neighbors get alerts.

When the river rises
  • 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.
More from Ready.gov ↗
Hurricane season
  • 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.
More from Ready.gov ↗
Earthquakes
  • Drop, cover and hold on.
  • Strap tall furniture and the water heater to the wall.
  • Know how to shut off the gas.
More from Ready.gov ↗
Before you buy or rent
  • 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.
When a storm is coming
Forecast and alertsWeather →911, the nearest ERSafety →

Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.

Questions about natural hazards in New Castle

Is New Castle at risk for natural disasters?

On FEMA’s National Risk Index, New Castle has lower expected damage per building than 91% of U.S. towns: A for hazard risk, #157 of 758 in New York. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (82%) and hurricanes (10%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.

Does New Castle flood?

Flood insurance has paid 143 claims in New Castle since 1978, $1.7M in all, or 21.9 per 1,000 homes, more than 85% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 13 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Irene (18).

Is New Castle 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 Westchester County, 64% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 3.0% of all homes do.

How much is flood insurance in New Castle?

FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for New Castle’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 Castle?

By FEMA money that reached New Castle, Remnants of Hurricane Ida (2021): $3.3M to the Town of New Castle for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Irene: 18 paid, $408K.

Is New Castle at risk from river and rain flooding?

It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (82%), and New Castle’s rate for it is lower than 72% of U.S. census tracts.

Storm stories

Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in New Castle.

Town Square →
Start the conversation

Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where New Castle’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.