Photo: Smallbones · Public domainFEMA expects less hazard damage per building in Newtown Township than almost anywhere in the U.S., mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Newtown Township gets an A+ for hazard risk: among the lowest expected damage per building of U.S. towns, #40 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (72%). Flood insurance has paid 18 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 Newtown Township 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
Tornadoes
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 Newtown Township’s grade
River and rain flooding is 72% of the building damage FEMA expects in Newtown Township, and Newtown Township’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 92% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 8% (higher than 66% of U.S. census tracts).
A+ #40 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania; among the lowest expected damage per building of U.S. towns (21,298).
Newtown Township’s residents live in 3 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, Newtown Township has less expected damage per building than 96% of Pennsylvania towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $3.6M a year in losses across Newtown Township: $2.7M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Newtown Township flood? Sometimes: 18 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Newtown Township, from FEMA’s records: 2.9 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 53% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Irene2 claims · $16K
- Hurricane Floyd1 claim · $7K
- Hurricane Gloria1 claim · $412
Newtown Township isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Delaware County.The storms Newtown Township remembers
None of the 19 disasters declared for Delaware County shows FEMA aid or repair money reaching Newtown Township itself in FEMA’s records, so these are its biggest flood-claim years.
- 20103 flood claims paidThe year of Severe Winter Storms and Snowstorms, declared for Delaware County
- 19792 flood claims paidNo declaration for the county that year
- 19992 flood claims paidThe year of Hurricane Floyd Major Disaster Declarations, declared for Delaware County
Delaware County has had 19 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often hurricanes and tropical storms, then floods. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Newtown Township after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Newtown Township archive →Newtown Township and its neighbors
Newtown Township has the lowest expected damage per building of the 7 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Newtown Township | A+among the lowest damage | river and rain flooding | 18 |
| Easttown Township | A+less damage than 98% | river and rain flooding | 6 |
| Willistown Township | A+less damage than 98% | river and rain flooding | 9 |
| Marple Township | A+less damage than 98% | river and rain flooding | 44 |
| Radnor Township | A+less damage than 96% | river and rain flooding | 103 |
| Edgmont Township | Aless damage than 94% | river and rain flooding | 11 |
| Upper Providence Township | Aless damage than 92% | river and rain flooding | 14 |
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 Newtown Township 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.
- Pick your spot now: the lowest floor, an inside room, no windows.
- A watch means be ready; a warning means take cover now.
- Keep shoes and a flashlight by the bed.
- 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 Newtown Township
Is Newtown Township at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Newtown Township has among the lowest expected damage per building of U.S. towns: A+ for hazard risk, #40 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (72%) and hurricanes (8%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Newtown Township flood?
Flood insurance has paid 18 claims in Newtown Township since 1978, $166K in all, or 2.9 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 53% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Hurricane Irene (2).
Is Newtown Township 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 Delaware County, 39% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.7% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Newtown Township?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Newtown Township’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 Newtown Township?
By flood claims, Hurricane Irene: 2 paid, $16K.
Is Newtown Township at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (72%), and Newtown Township’s rate for it is lower than 92% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Newtown Township.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Newtown Township’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.