Photo: Christopher L. Riley · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA puts New Lexington’s expected hazard damage per building below that of 66% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, New Lexington gets a B+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 66% of U.S. towns, #665 of 993 in Ohio. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (83%). Flood insurance has paid 14 claims here since 1998.
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 Lexington 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
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 Lexington’s grade
River and rain flooding is 83% of the building damage FEMA expects in New Lexington, and New Lexington’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 56% of U.S. census tracts. Ice storms add 3%, at a rate in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts.
B+ #665 of 993 in Ohio; lower expected damage per building than 66% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of New Lexington’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
The typical Ohio town has lower expected damage than 79% of U.S. towns; within the state, New Lexington has more expected damage per building than 67% of Ohio towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.1M a year in losses across New Lexington: $909K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does New Lexington flood? Sometimes: 14 flood claims since 1998
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in New Lexington, from FEMA’s records: 7.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 68% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
New Lexington isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Perry County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to New Lexington
Disasters that paid out in New Lexington itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Village of New Lexington), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2012Severe Storms and Straight-line Winds$29K to the Village of New Lexington for repairs
- 2008Severe Wind Storm Associated with Tropical Depression Ike$15K to the Village of New Lexington for repairs
- 2004Severe Storms and Flooding56 households applied for aid$141K aid approved$19K to the Village of New Lexington for repairs
- 2004Severe Storms, Flooding, Mudslides, and Landslides$1K to the Village of New Lexington for repairs
- 2003Severe Winter Storm and Record/near Record Snow$8K to the Village of New Lexington for repairs
Perry County has had 16 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 Lexington after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the New Lexington archive →Get ready for what New Lexington 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.
- 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 Lexington
Is New Lexington at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, New Lexington has lower expected damage per building than 66% of U.S. towns: B+ for hazard risk, #665 of 993 in Ohio. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (83%) and tornadoes (6%). The figures are for the one census tract the town shares with its neighbors. This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does New Lexington flood?
Flood insurance has paid 14 claims in New Lexington since 1998, $203K in all, or 7.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 68% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once.
Is New Lexington 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 Perry County, 13% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.6% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in New Lexington?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for New Lexington’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 Lexington?
By FEMA money that reached New Lexington, Severe Storms and Flooding (2004): 56 households applied for aid, $141K approved, and $19K to the Village of New Lexington for repairs.
Is New Lexington at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (83%), and New Lexington’s rate for it is higher than 56% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in New Lexington.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where New Lexington’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.