Photo: Skabat169 · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA expects less hazard damage per building in New Freedom than in 70% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, New Freedom gets a B+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 70% of U.S. towns, #531 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (77%), then hurricanes (16%). Flood insurance has paid 3 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 Freedom 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
Hurricanes
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 Freedom’s grade
River and rain flooding is 77% of the building damage FEMA expects in New Freedom, and New Freedom’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 54% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 16% (higher than 83% of U.S. census tracts).
B+ #531 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania; lower expected damage per building than 70% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of New Freedom’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
The typical Pennsylvania town has lower expected damage than 71% of U.S. towns; within the state, New Freedom has more expected damage per building than 51% of Pennsylvania towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.1M a year in losses across New Freedom: $963K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does New Freedom flood? Rarely: 3 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in New Freedom, from FEMA’s records: 1.5 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 68% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Tropical Storm Lee1 claim · $16K
New Freedom isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: York County.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to New Freedom
Disasters that paid out in New Freedom itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Borough of New Freedom), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2011Tropical Storm Lee13 households applied for aid$23K aid approved1 flood claim paid for it, $16K
- 2004Tropical Depression Ivan1 households applied for aid$1K aid approved
York County has had 17 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often winter storms, then floods. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of New Freedom after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the New Freedom archive →New Freedom and its neighbors
New Freedom is 2nd of the 2 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shrewsbury Township | B+less damage than 70% | river and rain flooding | 19 |
| New Freedom | B+less damage than 70% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Railroad | — | 335 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 Freedom 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.
- The season runs June through November and peaks from mid-August to mid-October.
- Bring in porch furniture and anything the wind can throw.
- Fill the gas tank and charge phones before the storm arrives.
- 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 Freedom
Is New Freedom at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, New Freedom has lower expected damage per building than 70% of U.S. towns: B+ for hazard risk, #531 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (77%) and hurricanes (16%). 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 Freedom flood?
Flood insurance has paid 3 claims in New Freedom since 1979, $17K in all, or 1.5 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 68% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Tropical Storm Lee (1).
Is New Freedom 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 York County, 30% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.4% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in New Freedom?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for New Freedom’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 Freedom?
By FEMA money that reached New Freedom, Tropical Storm Lee (2011): 13 households applied for aid, $23K approved. By flood claims, Tropical Storm Lee: 1 paid, $16K.
Is New Freedom at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (77%), and New Freedom’s rate for it is lower than 54% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in New Freedom.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where New Freedom’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.