Photo: Generic1139 · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA puts New Eagle’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 88% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, New Eagle gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 88% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (98%). Flood insurance has paid 3 claims here since 2000.
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 Eagle 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 Eagle’s grade
River and rain flooding is 98% of the building damage FEMA expects in New Eagle, and New Eagle’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts.
D higher expected damage per building than 88% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of New Eagle’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $771K a year in losses across New Eagle: $746K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does New Eagle flood? Rarely: 3 flood claims since 2000
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in New Eagle, from FEMA’s records: 2.6 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 55% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Tropical Storm Ivan1 claim · $6K
New Eagle 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.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to New Eagle
Disasters that paid out in New Eagle itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Borough of New Eagle), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2004Tropical Depression Ivan12 households applied for aid$52K aid approved1 flood claim paid for it, $6K
- 2004Severe Storms and Flooding Associated with Tropical Depression Frances1 households applied for aid$3K aid approved
Washington County has had 11 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 New Eagle after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the New Eagle archive →New Eagle and its neighbors
New Eagle is 4th of the 5 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 65% | river and rain flooding | 22 |
| Carroll Township | Bless damage than 64% | river and rain flooding | 53 |
| Forward Township | Cmore damage than 68% | river and rain flooding | 160 |
| New Eagle | Dmore damage than 88% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Monongahela | Dmore damage than 90% | river and rain flooding | 74 |
| Baidland | — | 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 Eagle 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 Eagle
Is New Eagle at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, New Eagle has higher expected damage per building than 88% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (98%). The figures are for the one census tract the town shares with its neighbors. This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does New Eagle flood?
Flood insurance has paid 3 claims in New Eagle since 2000, $10K in all, or 2.6 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 55% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Tropical Storm Ivan (1).
Is New Eagle 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, 16% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.5% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in New Eagle?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for New Eagle’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 Eagle?
By FEMA money that reached New Eagle, Tropical Depression Ivan (2004): 12 households applied for aid, $52K approved. By flood claims, Tropical Storm Ivan: 1 paid, $6K.
Is New Eagle at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (98%), and New Eagle’s rate for it is in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in New Eagle.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where New Eagle’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.