Photo: Timothy J. Quill · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA puts New Shoreham’s expected hazard damage per building below that of 98% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, New Shoreham gets an A+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 98% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (64%), then hurricanes (18%). Flood insurance has paid 15 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 stands out about New Shoreham’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What New Shoreham 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
Coastal 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 New Shoreham’s grade
River and rain flooding is 64% of the building damage FEMA expects in New Shoreham, and New Shoreham’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 94% of U.S. census tracts. Coastal flooding adds 14%, at a rate in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts.
A+ lower expected damage per building than 98% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of New Shoreham’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $493K a year in losses across New Shoreham: $480K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does New Shoreham flood? Sometimes: 15 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in New Shoreham, from FEMA’s records: 7.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 69% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Sandy6 claims · $167K
- The March 2010 nor’easter1 claim · $8K
New Shoreham is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 8) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Washington County.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to New Shoreham
Disasters that paid out in New Shoreham itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of New Shoreham), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2022Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$17K to the Town of New Shoreham for repairs
- 2015Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$3K to the Town of New Shoreham for repairs
- 2012Hurricane Sandy$66K to the Town of New Shoreham for repairs6 flood claims paid for it, $167K
Washington County has had 17 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often winter storms, then severe storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Also 1 FEMA wildfire suppression grant (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Washington County, 2023–2023.
Old photos of New Shoreham after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the New Shoreham archive →Get ready for what New Shoreham 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.
- Know your evacuation zone and the way off the coast.
- Storm surge comes fast: leave when you’re told, not when the water arrives.
- Move cars to high ground before king tides and nor’easters.
- 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.
- New Shoreham residents get 10% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in New Shoreham
Is New Shoreham at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, New Shoreham has lower expected damage per building than 98% of U.S. towns: A+ for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (64%) and hurricanes (18%). 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 New Shoreham flood?
Flood insurance has paid 15 claims in New Shoreham since 1978, $365K in all, or 7.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 69% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Hurricane Sandy (6).
Is New Shoreham 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 Washington County, 49% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 6.6% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in New Shoreham?
New Shoreham is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 8), which takes 10% off federal flood insurance policies for its flood-proofing work. 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 Shoreham?
By FEMA money that reached New Shoreham, Hurricane Sandy (2012): $66K to the Town of New Shoreham for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Sandy: 6 paid, $167K.
Is New Shoreham at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (64%), and New Shoreham’s rate for it is lower than 94% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in New Shoreham.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where New Shoreham’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.