Photo: Nyttend · Public domainLess hazard damage per building is expected in Newtown than in 65% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Newtown gets a B+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 65% of U.S. towns, #676 of 993 in Ohio. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (80%), then tornadoes (15%). Flood insurance has paid 61 claims here since 1978.
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 stands out about Newtown’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Newtown 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 Newtown’s grade
River and rain flooding is 80% of the building damage FEMA expects in Newtown, and Newtown’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 54% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 15% (higher than 88% of U.S. census tracts).
B+ #676 of 993 in Ohio; lower expected damage per building than 65% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Newtown’s residents live in 2 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
The typical Ohio town has lower expected damage than 79% of U.S. towns; within the state, Newtown has more expected damage per building than 68% of Ohio towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.1M a year in losses across Newtown: $781K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Newtown flood? Sometimes: 61 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Newtown, from FEMA’s records: 51.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 93% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Central U.S. April Flooding1 claim · $5K
Newtown isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Hamilton County.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Newtown
Disasters that paid out in Newtown itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Village of Newtown), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2018Severe Storms, Landslides, and Mudslides$5K to the Village of Newtown for repairs6 flood claims paid that year
- 2004Severe Storms and Flooding1 households applied for aid$6K aid approved
Hamilton 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 Newtown after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Newtown archive →Newtown and its neighbors
Newtown is 3rd 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dry Run | B+less damage than 71% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Turpin Hills | B+less damage than 70% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Newtown | B+less damage than 65% | river and rain flooding | 61 |
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 Newtown 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 Newtown
Is Newtown at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Newtown has lower expected damage per building than 65% of U.S. towns: B+ for hazard risk, #676 of 993 in Ohio. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (80%) and tornadoes (15%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Newtown flood?
Flood insurance has paid 61 claims in Newtown since 1978, $669K in all, or 51.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 93% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 5 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Central U.S. April Flooding (1).
Is Newtown 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 Hamilton County, 24% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.4% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Newtown?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Newtown’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 Newtown?
By FEMA money that reached Newtown, Severe Storms and Flooding (2004): 1 households applied for aid, $6K approved. By flood claims, Central U.S. April Flooding: 1 paid, $5K.
Is Newtown at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (80%), and Newtown’s rate for it is higher than 54% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Newtown.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Newtown’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.