Less hazard damage per building is expected in North Newton Township than in 85% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, North Newton Township gets an A for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 85% of U.S. towns, #326 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (82%), then hurricanes (11%). Flood insurance has paid 2 claims here since 2004.
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 North Newton 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
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 North Newton Township’s grade
River and rain flooding is 82% of the building damage FEMA expects in North Newton Township, and North Newton Township’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 64% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 11% (higher than 78% of U.S. census tracts).
A #326 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania; lower expected damage per building than 85% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of North Newton Township’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, North Newton Township has less expected damage per building than 69% of Pennsylvania towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $624K a year in losses across North Newton Township: $487K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does North Newton Township flood? Rarely: 2 flood claims since 2004
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in North Newton Township, from FEMA’s records: 2.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 60% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Tropical Storm Ivan1 claim · $23K
North Newton 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: Cumberland County.The storms North Newton Township remembers
None of the 15 disasters declared for Cumberland County shows FEMA aid or repair money reaching North Newton Township itself in FEMA’s records, so these are its biggest flood-claim years.
- 20041 flood claims paidThe year of Tropical Depression Ivan, declared for Cumberland County
- 20111 flood claims paidThe year of Tropical Storm Lee, declared for Cumberland County
Cumberland County has had 15 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 North Newton Township after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the North Newton Township archive →North Newton Township and its neighbors
North Newton Township is 4th of the 7 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Newville | A+less damage than 96% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Upper Mifflin Township | Aless damage than 87% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Lower Mifflin Township | Aless damage than 87% | river and rain flooding | 28 |
| North Newton Township | Aless damage than 85% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| West Pennsboro Township | A−less damage than 76% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| South Newton Township | B+less damage than 74% | river and rain flooding | 8 |
| Hopewell Township | B+less damage than 68% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
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 North Newton 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.
- 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 North Newton Township
Is North Newton Township at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, North Newton Township has lower expected damage per building than 85% of U.S. towns: A for hazard risk, #326 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (82%) and hurricanes (11%). 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 North Newton Township flood?
Flood insurance has paid 2 claims in North Newton Township since 2004, $24K in all, or 2.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 60% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Tropical Storm Ivan (1).
Is North Newton 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 Cumberland County, 21% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.7% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in North Newton Township?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for North Newton 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 North Newton Township?
By flood claims, Tropical Storm Ivan: 1 paid, $23K.
Is North Newton Township at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (82%), and North Newton Township’s rate for it is lower than 64% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in North Newton Township.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where North Newton 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.