New Holland Machine Company · Photo: newhollandag · CC BY-SA 2.0FEMA puts New Holland’s expected hazard damage per building below that of 96% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, New Holland gets an A+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 96% of U.S. towns, #96 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (53%), then hurricanes (23%). Flood insurance has paid 3 claims here since 1978.
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 Holland 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
Earthquakes
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 Holland’s grade
River and rain flooding is 53% of the building damage FEMA expects in New Holland, and New Holland’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 95% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 23% (higher than 82% of U.S. census tracts).
A+ #96 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania; lower expected damage per building than 96% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of New Holland’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 Holland has less expected damage per building than 91% of Pennsylvania towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.1M a year in losses across New Holland: $852K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does New Holland flood? Rarely: 3 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in New Holland, from FEMA’s records: 1.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 73% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
New Holland isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Lancaster County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to New Holland
Disasters that paid out in New Holland itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Borough of New Holland), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2011Tropical Storm Lee7 households applied for aid$4K aid approved
Lancaster County has had 18 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often floods, then winter storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of New Holland after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the New Holland archive →Get ready for what New Holland 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.
- Drop, cover and hold on.
- Strap tall furniture and the water heater to the wall.
- Know how to shut off the gas.
- 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 Holland
Is New Holland at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, New Holland has lower expected damage per building than 96% of U.S. towns: A+ for hazard risk, #96 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (53%) and hurricanes (23%). 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 Holland flood?
Flood insurance has paid 3 claims in New Holland since 1978, $23K in all, or 1.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 73% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is New Holland 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 Lancaster County, 27% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.4% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in New Holland?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for New Holland’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 Holland?
By FEMA money that reached New Holland, Tropical Storm Lee (2011): 7 households applied for aid, $4K approved.
Is New Holland at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (53%), and New Holland’s rate for it is lower than 95% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in New Holland.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where New Holland’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.