Photo: Original uploader was Jgera5 at en.wikipedia · Public domainOn FEMA’s figures, New Castle faces more hazard damage per building than 84% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, New Castle gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 84% of U.S. towns, #994 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (97%). Flood insurance has paid 38 claims here since 1979.
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 Castle 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 Castle’s grade
River and rain flooding is 97% of the building damage FEMA expects in New Castle, and New Castle’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is in the top 7% of U.S. census tracts.
C− #994 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania; higher expected damage per building than 84% of U.S. towns (21,298).
New Castle’s residents live in 9 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 Castle has more expected damage per building than 96% of Pennsylvania towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $9.1M a year in losses across New Castle: $8.6M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does New Castle flood? Sometimes: 38 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in New Castle, from FEMA’s records: 3.6 per 1,000 homes, more than 52% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Tropical Storm Bill1 claim · $8K
New Castle isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Lawrence County.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to New Castle
Disasters that paid out in New Castle itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of New Castle), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2004Tropical Depression Ivan113 households applied for aid$251K aid approved
- 2004Severe Storms and Flooding Associated with Tropical Depression Frances105 households applied for aid$227K aid approved
- 2003Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding214 households applied for aid$339K aid approved6 flood claims paid that year
Lawrence County has had 9 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then hurricanes and tropical storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of New Castle after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the New Castle archive →New Castle and its neighbors
New Castle 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Union Township | B+less damage than 71% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Neshannock Township | B+less damage than 68% | river and rain flooding | 5 |
| North Beaver Township | B+less damage than 66% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Hickory Township | B−less damage than 54% | river and rain flooding | 20 |
| Shenango Township | B−less damage than 52% | river and rain flooding | 9 |
| New Castle | C−more damage than 84% | river and rain flooding | 38 |
| Taylor Township | — | not graded yet | |
| Oakland | — | a Census area inside a town; graded with the town | |
| Oakwood | — | a Census area inside a town; graded with the town | |
| New Castle Northwest | — | a Census area inside a town; graded with the town | |
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 Castle 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 Castle
Is New Castle at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, New Castle has higher expected damage per building than 84% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #994 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (97%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does New Castle flood?
Flood insurance has paid 38 claims in New Castle since 1979, $245K in all, or 3.6 per 1,000 homes, more than 52% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 6 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Tropical Storm Bill (1).
Is New Castle 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 Lawrence County, 15% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.4% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in New Castle?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for New Castle’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 Castle?
By FEMA money that reached New Castle, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2003): 214 households applied for aid, $339K approved. By flood claims, Tropical Storm Bill: 1 paid, $8K.
Is New Castle at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (97%), and New Castle’s rate for it is in the top 7% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in New Castle.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where New Castle’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.