Photo: Becherka · Public domainMore hazard damage per building is expected in Newport than in 89% of U.S. towns, mostly from earthquakes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Newport gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 89% of U.S. towns, #125 of 142 in Oregon. Most of that expected damage is earthquakes (70%), then river and rain flooding (24%). 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 faces
Each hazard’s share of the building damage FEMA expects here, and how its rate compares with the rest of the country.
Earthquakes
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’s grade
Earthquakes are 70% of the building damage FEMA expects in Newport, and Newport’s rate of earthquakes damage is in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts. Tsunamis add 5%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
D #125 of 142 in Oregon; higher expected damage per building than 89% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Newport’s residents live in 5 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
The typical Oregon town has higher expected damage than 69% of U.S. towns; within the state, Newport has more expected damage per building than 88% of Oregon towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $12.9M a year in losses across Newport: $9.0M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Newport flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Newport. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Newport isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Lincoln County.7 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Newport
Disasters that paid out in Newport itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Newport), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2025Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides$11K to the City of Newport for repairs
- 2024Severe Winter Storms, Straight-line Winds, Landslides, and Mudslides$296K to the City of Newport for repairs
- 2020Wildfires and Straight-line Winds25 households applied for aid$500 aid approved
- 2015Severe Winter Storms, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides$121K to the City of Newport for repairs
- 2012Severe Winter Storm, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides$240K to the City of Newport for repairs
- 2011Severe Winter Storm, Flooding, Mudslides, Landslides, and Debris Flows$497K to the City of Newport for repairs
Show all 7
- 2007Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides$19K to the City of Newport for repairs
Lincoln County has had 19 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.
Also 1 FEMA wildfire suppression grant (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Lincoln County, 2020–2020.
Old photos of Newport after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Newport archive →Get ready for what Newport faces
A short kit for the hazards that drive the building damage here, what to check before you buy, and where neighbors get alerts.
- Drop, cover and hold on.
- Strap tall furniture and the water heater to the wall.
- Know how to shut off the gas.
- 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
Is Newport at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Newport has higher expected damage per building than 89% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk, #125 of 142 in Oregon. Most of the expected damage is earthquakes (70%) and river and rain flooding (24%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Is Newport 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 Lincoln County, 27% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 4.0% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Newport?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Newport’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?
By FEMA money that reached Newport, Severe Winter Storm, Flooding, Mudslides, Landslides, and Debris Flows (2011): $497K to the City of Newport for repairs.
Is Newport at risk from earthquakes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (70%), and Newport’s rate for it is in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Newport.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Newport’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.