Photo: Linda Tanner · CC BY 2.0FEMA puts Newport Township’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 91% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Newport Township gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 91% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (96%). FEMA’s files show no paid flood insurance claims here.
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 Newport Township 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 Newport Township’s grade
River and rain flooding is 96% of the building damage FEMA expects in Newport Township, and Newport Township’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts.
D higher expected damage per building than 91% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Newport Township’s residents live in 2 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $887K a year in losses across Newport Township: $808K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Newport Township flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Newport Township. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Newport Township isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Washington County.7 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Newport Township
Disasters that paid out in Newport Township itself (aid to households or repair grants to Newport Township), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2019Severe Storms, Flooding, and Landslides$133K to Newport Township for repairs
- 2018Severe Storms, Landslides, and Mudslides$550K to Newport Township for repairs
- 2012Severe Storms and Straight-line Winds$19K to Newport Township for repairs
- 2004Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides1 households applied for aid$976 aid approved$48K to Newport Township for repairs
- 2004Severe Storms and Flooding31 households applied for aid$376K aid approved$22K to Newport Township for repairs
- 2004Severe Storms, Flooding, Mudslides, and Landslides1 households applied for aid$56K to Newport Township for repairs
Show all 7
- 2003Severe Winter Storm and Record/near Record Snow$1K to Newport Township for repairs
Washington 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 Newport Township after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Newport Township archive →Newport Township and its neighbors
Newport Township is 2nd of the 3 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Marietta Township | B−more damage than 52% | river and rain flooding | 23 |
| Newport Township | Dmore damage than 91% | river and rain flooding | 0 |
| Newport | Dmore damage than 92% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Lawrence Township | — | not graded yet | |
| Independence Township | — | 159 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 Newport Township 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 Newport Township
Is Newport Township at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Newport Township has higher expected damage per building than 91% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk. 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.
Is Newport Township 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 Washington County, 11% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.2% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Newport Township?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Newport Township’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 Newport Township?
By FEMA money that reached Newport Township, Severe Storms, Landslides, and Mudslides (2018): $550K to Newport Township for repairs.
Is Newport Township at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (96%), and Newport Township’s rate for it is in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Newport Township.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Newport Township’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.