Newfield Covered Bridge · Photo: Doug Kerr from Upstate New York · CC BY-SA 2.0More hazard damage per building is expected in Newfield than in 72% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Newfield gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 72% of U.S. towns, #664 of 758 in New York. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (96%). Flood insurance has paid 6 claims here since 2011.
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 Newfield 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
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 Newfield’s grade
River and rain flooding is 96% of the building damage FEMA expects in Newfield, and Newfield’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 87% of U.S. census tracts.
C #664 of 758 in New York; higher expected damage per building than 72% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Newfield’s residents live in 3 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
The typical New York town has lower expected damage than 69% of U.S. towns; within the state, Newfield has more expected damage per building than 88% of New York towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.5M a year in losses across Newfield: $1.3M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Newfield flood? Rarely: 6 flood claims since 2011
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Newfield, from FEMA’s records: 2.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 57% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Tropical Storm Lee2 claims · $9K
Newfield isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Tompkins County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Newfield
Disasters that paid out in Newfield itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Newfield), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2011Remnants of Tropical Storm Lee$35K to the Town of Newfield for repairs2 flood claims paid for it, $9K
Tompkins County has had 14 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then floods. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees; the 2001 World Trade Center declarations.
Old photos of Newfield after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Newfield archive →Newfield and its neighbors
Newfield is 5th of the 6 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ithaca | Bless damage than 63% | river and rain flooding | 14 |
| Enfield | C+more damage than 58% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Catharine | C+more damage than 62% | river and rain flooding | 6 |
| Danby | C+more damage than 64% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Newfield | Cmore damage than 72% | river and rain flooding | 6 |
| Van Etten | Cmore damage than 74% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| West Danby | — | 75 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Cayuta | — | 528 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
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 Newfield 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.
- 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 Newfield
Is Newfield at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Newfield has higher expected damage per building than 72% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #664 of 758 in New York. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (96%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Newfield flood?
Flood insurance has paid 6 claims in Newfield since 2011, $75K in all, or 2.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 57% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Tropical Storm Lee (2).
Is Newfield 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 Tompkins County, 1.2% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Newfield?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Newfield’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 Newfield?
By FEMA money that reached Newfield, Remnants of Tropical Storm Lee (2011): $35K to the Town of Newfield for repairs. By flood claims, Tropical Storm Lee: 2 paid, $9K.
Is Newfield at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (96%), and Newfield’s rate for it is higher than 87% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Newfield.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Newfield’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.