Photo: Smash the Iron Cage · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA puts Newport News’s expected hazard damage per building below that of 86% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Newport News gets an A for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 86% of U.S. towns, #102 of 253 in Virginia. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (61%), then hurricanes (24%). Flood insurance has paid 790 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 Newport News’ natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Newport News 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 Newport News’ grade
River and rain flooding is 61% of the building damage FEMA expects in Newport News, and Newport News’ rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 81% of U.S. census tracts. Coastal flooding adds 2%, at a rate in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts.
A #102 of 253 in Virginia; lower expected damage per building than 86% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Newport News’ residents live in 47 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, Newport News has less expected damage per building than 60% of Virginia towns.
Among the 400 U.S. cities of 100,000 or more, Newport News has lower expected damage per building than 93% (#28 of 400). Because it is so big, its total expected yearly loss, $31.7M, is the 346th largest of those 400.
Does Newport News flood? Yes: 790 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Newport News, from FEMA’s records: 9.6 per 1,000 homes, more than 73% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Isabel125 claims · $2.1M
- Hurricane Floyd109 claims · $1.0M
- The November 2009 nor’easter99 claims · $3.4M
Newport News is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 6) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: the county.9 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Newport News
Disasters that paid out in Newport News itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Newport News), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2018Hurricane Florence$79K to the City of Newport News for repairs7 flood claims paid that year
- 2016Hurricane Matthew192 households applied for aid$363K aid approved53 flood claims paid for it, $3.5M
- 2012Hurricane Sandy$343K to the City of Newport News for repairs155 flood claims paid that year
- 2011Hurricane Irene$2.4M to the City of Newport News for repairs31 flood claims paid for it, $244K
- 2009Severe Storms and Flooding Associated with Tropical Depression Ida and a Nor'east$458K to the City of Newport News for repairs102 flood claims paid that year
- 2006Tropical Depression Ernesto, Severe Storms and Flooding$425K to the City of Newport News for repairs38 flood claims paid for it, $1.9M
Show all 9
- 2003Hurricane Isabel6,998 households applied for aid$3.0M aid approved$8.2M to the City of Newport News for repairs125 flood claims paid for it, $2.1M
- 2000Severe Winter Storms$125K to the City of Newport News for repairs3 flood claims paid that year
- 1999Hurricane Floyd Major Disaster Declarations$1.5M to the City of Newport News for repairs109 flood claims paid for it, $1.0M
has had 16 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often hurricanes and tropical storms, then winter storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Newport News after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Newport News archive →Newport News and its neighbors
Newport News has the lowest expected damage per building of the 4 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Newport News | Aless damage than 86% | river and rain flooding | 790 |
| Hampton | Aless damage than 85% | river and rain flooding | 4,715 |
| Suffolk | B+less damage than 71% | river and rain flooding | 163 |
| Portsmouth | B+less damage than 70% | river and rain flooding | 1,333 |
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 Newport News 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.
- Newport News residents get 20% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Newport News
Is Newport News at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Newport News has lower expected damage per building than 86% of U.S. towns: A for hazard risk, #102 of 253 in Virginia. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (61%) and hurricanes (24%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Newport News flood?
Flood insurance has paid 790 claims in Newport News since 1978, $23.3M in all, or 9.6 per 1,000 homes, more than 73% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 128 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Isabel (125).
Is Newport News 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 the county, 2.8% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Newport News?
Newport News is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 6), which takes 20% 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 Newport News?
By FEMA money that reached Newport News, Hurricane Isabel (2003): 6,998 households applied for aid, $3.0M approved, and $8.2M to the City of Newport News for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Isabel: 125 paid, $2.1M.
Is Newport News at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (61%), and Newport News’ rate for it is lower than 81% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Newport News.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Newport News’ 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.