Photo: Bill Fitzpatrick · CC BY-SA 3.0On FEMA’s figures, Newberry faces about as much hazard damage per building as the typical U.S. town, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Newberry gets a B for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 57% of U.S. towns, #76 of 169 in South Carolina. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (64%), then earthquakes (13%). Flood insurance has paid 21 claims here since 1982.
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 Newberry’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Newberry 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
Earthquakes
Tornadoes
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 Newberry’s grade
River and rain flooding is 64% of the building damage FEMA expects in Newberry, and Newberry’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 55% of U.S. census tracts. Ice storms add 4%, at a rate in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts.
B #76 of 169 in South Carolina; lower expected damage per building than 57% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Newberry’s residents live in 3 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
The typical South Carolina town has lower expected damage than 55% of U.S. towns; within the state, Newberry has less expected damage per building than 55% of South Carolina towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $4.7M a year in losses across Newberry: $3.2M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Newberry flood? Sometimes: 21 flood claims since 1982
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Newberry, from FEMA’s records: 4.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 58% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Cindy4 claims · $22K
Newberry isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Newberry County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Newberry
Disasters that paid out in Newberry itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Newberry), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Hurricane Helene4,058 households applied for aid$3.3M aid approved$2.8M to the City of Newberry for repairs
- 2015Severe Storms and Flooding412 households applied for aid$112K aid approved$117K to the City of Newberry for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2004Tropical Storm Frances2 households applied for aid$359 aid approved
- 2004Severe Ice Storm$29K to the City of Newberry for repairs
- 2000Severe Winter Storm$39K to the City of Newberry for repairs
Newberry County has had 17 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often hurricanes and tropical storms, then severe storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Newberry after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Newberry archive →Newberry and its neighbors
Newberry has the lowest expected damage per building of the 1 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Newberry | Bless damage than 57% | river and rain flooding | 21 |
| Helena | — | 716 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 Newberry 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.
- 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.
- 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 Newberry
Is Newberry at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Newberry has lower expected damage per building than 57% of U.S. towns: B for hazard risk, #76 of 169 in South Carolina. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (64%) and earthquakes (13%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Newberry flood?
Flood insurance has paid 21 claims in Newberry since 1982, $149K in all, or 4.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 58% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 2 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Cindy (4).
Is Newberry 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 Newberry County, 34% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.6% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Newberry?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Newberry’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 Newberry?
By FEMA money that reached Newberry, Hurricane Helene (2024): 4,058 households applied for aid, $3.3M approved, and $2.8M to the City of Newberry for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Cindy: 4 paid, $22K.
Is Newberry at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (64%), and Newberry’s rate for it is lower than 55% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Newberry.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Newberry’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.