Photo: Doug Kerr from Albany, NY, United States · CC BY-SA 2.0Storms, floods and disasters in New Paris
New Paris isn’t graded for hazard risk: New Paris has 225 residents; we grade towns of 1,000 or more. Flood insurance has paid 6 claims here since 1983.
What New Paris 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.
Does New Paris flood? Rarely: 6 flood claims since 1983
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in New Paris, from FEMA’s records.
New Paris isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Bedford County.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to New Paris
Disasters that paid out in New Paris itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Borough of New Paris), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Remnants of Hurricane Ida15 households applied for aid$62K aid approved
- 2004Tropical Depression Ivan6 households applied for aid$5K aid approved
- 2004Severe Storms and Flooding Associated with Tropical Depression Frances3 households applied for aid$13K aid approved
Bedford County has had 16 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 Paris after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the New Paris archive →Get ready for what New Paris 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 Paris
Does New Paris flood?
Flood insurance has paid 6 claims in New Paris since 1983, $76K in all.
Is New Paris 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 Bedford County, 12% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.9% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in New Paris?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for New Paris’ 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 Paris?
By FEMA money that reached New Paris, Remnants of Hurricane Ida (2021): 15 households applied for aid, $62K approved.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in New Paris.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where New Paris’ 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.