More hazard damage per building is expected in New Boston than in 92% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, New Boston gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 92% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (95%). Flood insurance has paid 12 claims here since 2000.
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 New Boston 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 New Boston’s grade
River and rain flooding is 95% of the building damage FEMA expects in New Boston, and New Boston’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts.
D higher expected damage per building than 92% of U.S. towns (21,298).
New Boston’s residents live in 2 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.6M a year in losses across New Boston: $1.3M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does New Boston flood? Sometimes: 12 flood claims since 2000
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in New Boston, from FEMA’s records: 9.9 per 1,000 homes, more than 74% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
New Boston isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Scioto County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to New Boston
Disasters that paid out in New Boston itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Village of New Boston), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2019Severe Storms, Flooding, and Landslides$101K to the Village of New Boston for repairs
- 2018Severe Storms, Landslides, and Mudslides$612K to the Village of New Boston for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
- 2011Severe Storms and Flooding$96K to the Village of New Boston for repairs
- 2004Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides5 households applied for aid$6K aid approved$5K to the Village of New Boston for repairs
- 2003Severe Winter Storm and Record/near Record Snow19 households applied for aid$32K aid approved$35K to the Village of New Boston for repairs
Scioto County has had 15 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.
Old photos of New Boston after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the New Boston archive →New Boston and its neighbors
New Boston is 2nd of the 2 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Portsmouth | Cmore damage than 72% | river and rain flooding | 29 |
| New Boston | Dmore damage than 92% | river and rain flooding | 12 |
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 New Boston 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 New Boston
Is New Boston at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, New Boston has higher expected damage per building than 92% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (95%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does New Boston flood?
Flood insurance has paid 12 claims in New Boston since 2000, $86K in all, or 9.9 per 1,000 homes, more than 74% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 2 properties have flooded more than once.
Is New Boston 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 Scioto County, 10% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.7% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in New Boston?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for New Boston’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 Boston?
By FEMA money that reached New Boston, Severe Storms, Landslides, and Mudslides (2018): $612K to the Village of New Boston for repairs.
Is New Boston at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (95%), and New Boston’s rate for it is in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in New Boston.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where New Boston’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.