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Newark-ohio-courthousePhoto: Public domain · Public domain
BHazard risk
Natural hazards in Newark · FEMA

Less hazard damage per building is expected in Newark than in 63% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding

On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Newark gets a B for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 63% of U.S. towns, #702 of 993 in Ohio. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (82%), then hail (10%). Flood insurance has paid 100 claims here since 1978.

River and rain flooding 82%Hail 10%Tornadoes 2%

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 63%of U.S. townsLess damageMoreExpected yearly damage per dollar of building, vs. the 21,298 U.S. towns we grade#702 of 993 in Ohio
Hazard risk
B#702 of 993
in Ohio · lower than 63% of U.S. towns
Main hazard
River and rain flooding
82% of expected building damage
Flood claims
100
paid since 1978 · $650K
Flooded more than once
3
properties
Disasters paid out here
7
of 17 declared for Licking County

What stands out about Newark’s natural hazards

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

Lower expected damage than 63% of U.S. townsFEMA’s model of yearly storm and flood damage per dollar of building.100 paid flood claims since 1978$650K in all; 3 properties flooded more than once.Made safer with FEMA grants3 storm safe rooms built with FEMA grants.Remembers 197953 flood claims were paid for 1979 alone, the most of any year.
By hazard

What Newark 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
About average · higher than 57% of U.S. census tracts
Recorded about 3 times a year in the area

Hail

10%of expected building damage
Well above average · in the top 9% of U.S. census tracts
Recorded about 3 times a year in the area
Smaller shares here
 Tornadoes Strong wind Earthquakes Ice storms Winter storms Wildfire Lightning Hurricanes Cold waves Heat waves Landslides
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 Newark’s grade

River and rain flooding is 82% of the building damage FEMA expects in Newark, and Newark’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 57% of U.S. census tracts. Hail adds 10%, at a rate in the top 9% of U.S. census tracts.

Where Newark sits
Newark
Least damageMiddleMost damage

B #702 of 993 in Ohio; lower expected damage per building than 63% of U.S. towns (21,298).

Newark’s residents live in 17 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.

What drives the damage to buildings
River and rain flooding82%Hail10%Everything else8%

The typical Ohio town has lower expected damage than 79% of U.S. towns; within the state, Newark has more expected damage per building than 71% of Ohio towns.

In dollars, FEMA expects about $12.4M a year in losses across Newark: $10.5M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.

A firm figure. It combines 17 census tracts by where Newark’s 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 Newark flood? Yes: 100 flood claims since 1978

Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Newark, from FEMA’s records: 4.6 per 1,000 homes, more than 58% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.

Paid flood claims, by year
1978: 2 claims1979: 53 claims1980: 0 claims1981: 3 claims1982: 0 claims1983: 0 claims1984: 0 claims1985: 0 claims1986: 0 claims1987: 0 claims1988: 0 claims1989: 2 claims1990: 5 claims1991: 0 claims1992: 0 claims1993: 0 claims1994: 2 claims1995: 3 claims1996: 0 claims1997: 3 claims1998: 0 claims1999: 0 claims2000: 0 claims2001: 0 claims2002: 0 claims2003: 0 claims2004: 1 claim2005: 7 claims2006: 0 claims2007: 0 claims2008: 0 claims2009: 0 claims2010: 0 claims2011: 0 claims2012: 0 claims2013: 0 claims2014: 1 claim2015: 0 claims2016: 0 claims2017: 1 claim2018: 0 claims2019: 0 claims2020: 14 claims2021: 0 claims2022: 0 claims2023: 0 claims2024: 3 claims2025: 0 claims2026: 0 claims197920052020
19782026
100
paid claims since 1978
$650K
paid to owners
3
homes flooded more than once
$7K
average claim
Homes that flooded again and again
FEMA “severe repetitive loss” (0)Flooded 2+ times
of homes in flood zones are insured
of all homes are insured
No community discount

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

Insurance rates: Licking County.
What’s been done with FEMA grants
3storm safe rooms built
Disasters

7 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Newark

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

  1. 2024Tornadoes14 households applied for aid$10K aid approved3 flood claims paid that year
  2. 2012Severe Storms and Straight-line Winds$122K to the City of Newark for repairs
  3. 2008Severe Wind Storm Associated with Tropical Depression Ike$93K to the City of Newark for repairs
  4. 2008Record Snow and Near Record Snow$49K to the City of Newark for repairs
  5. 2004Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides406 households applied for aid$249K aid approved$168K to the City of Newark for repairs
  6. 2004Severe Storms and Flooding6 households applied for aid$3K aid approved
Show all 7
  1. 2004Severe Storms, Flooding, Mudslides, and Landslides5 households applied for aid$4K aid approved
Disasters declared, by decade
Paid out in NewarkLicking County only

Licking County has had 17 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.

Were you here?

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

Add to the Newark archive →
Next door

Newark and its neighbors

Newark is 4th of the 8 graded towns here, from least expected damage per building to most. Tap a town to see its hazards.

Newark Township: hazard risk A−Granville Township: hazard risk A−Madison Township: hazard risk BNewton Township: hazard risk B−Heath: hazard risk BGranville: hazard risk A−Union Township: hazard risk BNewark TownshipGranville TownshipMadison TownshipNewton TownshipHeathGranvilleUnion TownshipNewark
Lowest fifthSecondMiddleFourthHighest fifth
TownHazard riskMostly (buildings)Flood claims
Granville TownshipA−less damage than 82%river and rain flooding—
GranvilleA−less damage than 82%river and rain flooding3
Newark TownshipA−less damage than 76%river and rain flooding—
NewarkBless damage than 63%river and rain flooding100
Union TownshipBless damage than 62%river and rain flooding17
HeathBless damage than 60%river and rain flooding37
Madison TownshipBless damage than 55%river and rain flooding13
Newton TownshipB−less damage than 51%river and rain flooding18

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 Newark 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 ↗
Hail
  • Park in a garage or under cover when storms are forecast.
  • Stay away from windows while it falls.
  • Photograph roof and car damage for your insurer.
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 Newark

Is Newark at risk for natural disasters?

On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Newark has lower expected damage per building than 63% of U.S. towns: B for hazard risk, #702 of 993 in Ohio. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (82%) and hail (10%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.

Does Newark flood?

Flood insurance has paid 100 claims in Newark since 1978, $650K in all, or 4.6 per 1,000 homes, more than 58% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 3 properties have flooded more than once.

Is Newark 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 Licking 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 Newark?

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

By FEMA money that reached Newark, Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides (2004): 406 households applied for aid, $249K approved, and $168K to the City of Newark for repairs.

Is Newark at risk from river and rain flooding?

It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (82%), and Newark’s rate for it is higher than 57% of U.S. census tracts.

Storm stories

Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Newark.

Town Square →
Start the conversation

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