Photo: Patrick Feller from Humble, Texas, USA · CC BY 2.0FEMA puts Newton’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 65% of U.S. towns, led by hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Newton gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 65% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (46%), then river and rain flooding (40%). Flood insurance has paid 1 claim here since 2024.
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 Newton faces
Each hazard’s share of the building damage FEMA expects here, and how its rate compares with the rest of the country.
Hurricanes
River and rain flooding
Tornadoes
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 Newton’s grade
Hurricanes are 46% of the building damage FEMA expects in Newton, and Newton’s rate of hurricanes damage is in the top 10% of U.S. census tracts. Wildfire adds 3%, at a rate in the top 9% of U.S. census tracts.
C+ higher expected damage per building than 65% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Newton’s residents live in 2 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $697K a year in losses across Newton: $521K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Newton flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 2024
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Newton, from FEMA’s records: 1.0 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 77% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
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: Newton County.11 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Newton
Disasters that paid out in Newton itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Newton), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Hurricane Beryl1 households applied for aid$1K aid approved
- 2024Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding321 households applied for aid$1.5M aid approved
- 2021Severe Winter Storms65 households applied for aid$39K aid approved
- 2020Tropical Storms Marco and Laura$351K to the City of Newton for repairs
- 2020Hurricane Laura$1.7M to the City of Newton for repairs
- 2017Hurricane Harvey492 households applied for aid$359K aid approved
Show all 11
- 2016Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding116 households applied for aid$525K aid approved$32K to the City of Newton for repairs
- 2015Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding$9K to the City of Newton for repairs
- 2008Hurricane Ike760 households applied for aid$155K aid approved$338K to the City of Newton for repairs
- 2008Hurricane Gustav$49K to the City of Newton for repairs
- 2005Hurricane Rita2,390 households applied for aid$4.4M aid approved$1.7M to the City of Newton for repairs
Newton County has had 23 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then hurricanes and tropical 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 Newton County, 2000–2000.
Old photos of Newton after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Newton archive →Get ready for what 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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 Newton
Is Newton at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Newton has higher expected damage per building than 65% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (46%) and river and rain flooding (40%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Newton flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in Newton since 2024, $59K in all, or 1.0 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 77% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is 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 Newton County, 28% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 4.5% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Newton?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for 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 Newton?
By FEMA money that reached Newton, Hurricane Rita (2005): 2,390 households applied for aid, $4.4M approved, and $1.7M to the City of Newton for repairs.
Is Newton at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (46%), and Newton’s rate for it is in the top 10% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Newton.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where 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.