Photo: Nyttend · Public domainFEMA expects more hazard damage per building in New Brighton than in 72% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, New Brighton gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 72% of U.S. towns, #922 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (96%). Flood insurance has paid 17 claims here since 1989.
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 Brighton 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 New Brighton’s grade
River and rain flooding is 96% of the building damage FEMA expects in New Brighton, and New Brighton’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 87% of U.S. census tracts.
C #922 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania; higher expected damage per building than 72% of U.S. towns (21,298).
New Brighton’s residents live in 2 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
The typical Pennsylvania town has lower expected damage than 71% of U.S. towns; within the state, New Brighton has more expected damage per building than 89% of Pennsylvania towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.0M a year in losses across New Brighton: $1.9M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does New Brighton flood? Sometimes: 17 flood claims since 1989
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in New Brighton, from FEMA’s records: 5.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 63% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Tropical Storm Ivan4 claims · $89K
New Brighton isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Beaver County.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to New Brighton
Disasters that paid out in New Brighton itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Borough of New Brighton), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2004Tropical Depression Ivan22 households applied for aid$82K aid approved4 flood claims paid for it, $89K
- 2004Severe Storms and Flooding Associated with Tropical Depression Frances8 households applied for aid$37K aid approved
Beaver County has had 12 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then winter storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of New Brighton after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the New Brighton archive →New Brighton and its neighbors
New Brighton is 6th of the 6 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rochester Township | A+less damage than 97% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Pulaski Township | Aless damage than 91% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Daugherty Township | A−less damage than 79% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Patterson Township | Bless damage than 63% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Beaver Falls | Bless damage than 59% | river and rain flooding | 5 |
| New Brighton | Cmore damage than 72% | river and rain flooding | 17 |
| Fallston | — | 271 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Patterson Heights | — | 711 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 New Brighton 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 New Brighton
Is New Brighton at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, New Brighton has higher expected damage per building than 72% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #922 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania. 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.
Does New Brighton flood?
Flood insurance has paid 17 claims in New Brighton since 1989, $209K in all, or 5.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 63% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Tropical Storm Ivan (4).
Is New Brighton 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 Beaver County, 20% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.3% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in New Brighton?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for New Brighton’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 Brighton?
By FEMA money that reached New Brighton, Tropical Depression Ivan (2004): 22 households applied for aid, $82K approved. By flood claims, Tropical Storm Ivan: 4 paid, $89K.
Is New Brighton at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (96%), and New Brighton’s rate for it is higher than 87% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in New Brighton.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where New Brighton’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.