Photo: Ser_Amantio_di_Nicolao · CC BY-SA 3.0On FEMA’s figures, Newington faces less hazard damage per building than 82% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Newington gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 82% of U.S. towns, #121 of 253 in Virginia. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (84%). Flood insurance has paid 13 claims here since 2011.
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 Newington 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 Newington’s grade
River and rain flooding is 84% of the building damage FEMA expects in Newington, and Newington’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 57% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 9% (higher than 70% of U.S. census tracts).
A− #121 of 253 in Virginia; lower expected damage per building than 82% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Newington’s residents live in 4 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
The typical Virginia town has lower expected damage than 81% of U.S. towns; within the state, Newington has less expected damage per building than 52% of Virginia towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.6M a year in losses across Newington: $2.3M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Newington flood? Sometimes: 13 flood claims since 2011
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Newington, from FEMA’s records: 2.8 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 54% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Tropical Storm Bill2 claims · $2K
Newington isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Fairfax County.The storms Newington remembers
None of the 16 disasters declared for Fairfax County shows FEMA aid or repair money reaching Newington itself in FEMA’s records, so these are its biggest flood-claim years.
- 20119 flood claims paidThe year of The Remnants of Tropical Storm Lee, declared for Fairfax County
- 20153 flood claims paidNo declaration for the county that year
- 20211 flood claims paidNo declaration for the county that year
Fairfax County has had 16 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often winter storms, then hurricanes and tropical storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Newington after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Newington archive →Newington and its neighbors
Newington is 5th of the 8 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fort Belvoir | A+among the lowest damage | river and rain flooding | — |
| Kingstowne | A+less damage than 98% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Franconia | A+less damage than 96% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Springfield | A+less damage than 95% | river and rain flooding | 9 |
| Newington | A−less damage than 82% | river and rain flooding | 13 |
| Newington Forest | A−less damage than 81% | river and rain flooding | 8 |
| West Springfield | A−less damage than 80% | river and rain flooding | 12 |
| Lorton | B−less damage than 50% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
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 Newington 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 Newington
Is Newington at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Newington has lower expected damage per building than 82% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk, #121 of 253 in Virginia. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (84%) and hurricanes (9%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Newington flood?
Flood insurance has paid 13 claims in Newington since 2011, $167K in all, or 2.8 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 54% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Tropical Storm Bill (2).
Is Newington 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 Fairfax County, 22% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.1% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Newington?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Newington’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 Newington?
By flood claims, Tropical Storm Bill: 2 paid, $2K.
Is Newington at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (84%), and Newington’s rate for it is lower than 57% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Newington.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Newington’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.