Photo: Canadian2006 · CC BY-SA 3.0More hazard damage per building is expected in West Newton than in 73% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, West Newton gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 73% of U.S. towns, #929 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (97%). Flood insurance has paid 77 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 West Newton 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.
What’s behind West Newton’s grade
River and rain flooding is 97% of the building damage FEMA expects in West Newton, and West Newton’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 87% of U.S. census tracts.
C #929 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania; higher expected damage per building than 73% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of West Newton’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, West Newton has more expected damage per building than 90% of Pennsylvania towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.2M a year in losses across West Newton: $1.1M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does West Newton flood? Sometimes: 77 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in West Newton, from FEMA’s records: 51.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 93% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The March 2010 nor’easter2 claims · $8K
West Newton isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Westmoreland County.The storms West Newton remembers
None of the 17 disasters declared for Westmoreland County shows FEMA aid or repair money reaching West Newton itself in FEMA’s records, so these are its biggest flood-claim years.
- 199627 flood claims paidThe year of Severe Storms and Flooding, declared for Westmoreland County
- 201827 flood claims paidNo declaration for the county that year
- 19786 flood claims paidNo declaration for the county that year
Westmoreland County has had 17 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 West Newton after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the West Newton archive →West Newton and its neighbors
West Newton 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| South Huntingdon Township | B+less damage than 72% | river and rain flooding | 32 |
| Rostraver Township | B+less damage than 66% | river and rain flooding | 43 |
| West Newton | Cmore damage than 73% | river and rain flooding | 77 |
| Collinsburg | — | a Census area inside a town; graded with the town | |
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 West Newton 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 West Newton
Is West Newton at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, West Newton has higher expected damage per building than 73% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #929 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (97%). 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 West Newton flood?
Flood insurance has paid 77 claims in West Newton since 1978, $747K in all, or 51.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 93% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 6 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from March 2010 Nor'easter (2).
Is West Newton 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 Westmoreland County, 21% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.5% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in West Newton?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for West Newton’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 West Newton?
By flood claims, March 2010 Nor'easter: 2 paid, $8K.
Is West Newton at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (97%), and West Newton’s rate for it is higher than 87% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in West Newton.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where West Newton’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.