FEMA expects less hazard damage per building in South Newton Township than in 74% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, South Newton Township gets a B+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 74% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (83%). Flood insurance has paid 8 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 South 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 South Newton Township’s grade
River and rain flooding is 83% of the building damage FEMA expects in South Newton Township, and South Newton Township’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 51% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 10% (higher than 79% of U.S. census tracts).
B+ lower expected damage per building than 74% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of South Newton Township’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $398K a year in losses across South Newton Township: $298K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does South Newton Township flood? Rarely: 8 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in South Newton Township, from FEMA’s records: 16.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 81% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
South 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 South Newton Township remembers
None of the 15 disasters declared for Cumberland County shows FEMA aid or repair money reaching South Newton Township itself in FEMA’s records, so these are its biggest flood-claim years.
- 19842 flood claims paidNo declaration for the county that year
- 19962 flood claims paidThe year of Flooding Associated with Tropical Depression Fran, declared for Cumberland County
- 19781 flood claims paidNo declaration for the county that year
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 South Newton Township after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the South Newton Township archive →South Newton Township and its neighbors
South Newton Township is 3rd of the 3 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| North Newton Township | Aless damage than 85% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Penn Township | B+less damage than 74% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| South Newton Township | B+less damage than 74% | river and rain flooding | 8 |
| Southampton Township | — | not graded yet | |
| Cooke Township | — | 181 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 South 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 South Newton Township
Is South Newton Township at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, South Newton Township has lower expected damage per building than 74% of U.S. towns: B+ for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (83%) and hurricanes (10%). 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 South Newton Township flood?
Flood insurance has paid 8 claims in South Newton Township since 1978, $39K in all, or 16.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 81% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 2 properties have flooded more than once.
Is South 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 South Newton Township?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for South Newton Township’s flood program. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
Is South Newton Township at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (83%), and South Newton Township’s rate for it is lower than 51% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in South Newton Township.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where South 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.