Brock Hill Schoolhouse · Photo: Magicpiano · CC BY-SA 3.0More hazard damage per building is expected in Newbury than in 62% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Newbury gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 62% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (91%). Flood insurance has paid 5 claims here since 1984.
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 Newbury 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
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 Newbury’s grade
River and rain flooding is 91% of the building damage FEMA expects in Newbury, and Newbury’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 80% of U.S. census tracts.
C+ higher expected damage per building than 62% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Newbury’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.1M a year in losses across Newbury: $848K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Newbury flood? Rarely: 5 flood claims since 1984
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Newbury, from FEMA’s records: 3.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 53% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Irene3 claims · $32K
Newbury isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Orange County.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Newbury
Disasters that paid out in Newbury itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Newbury), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2017Severe Storms and Flooding$78K to the Town of Newbury for repairs
- 2011Tropical Storm Irene$49K to the Town of Newbury for repairs3 flood claims paid for it, $32K
- 2008Severe Storms and Flooding$34K to the Town of Newbury for repairs
- 2003Severe Storms and Flooding$2K to the Town of Newbury for repairs
Orange County has had 31 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then floods.
Old photos of Newbury after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Newbury archive →Newbury and its neighbors
Newbury is 3rd of the 6 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bradford | B+less damage than 66% | river and rain flooding | 7 |
| Ryegate | C+more damage than 61% | river and rain flooding | 10 |
| Newbury | C+more damage than 62% | river and rain flooding | 5 |
| Topsham | C+more damage than 63% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Haverhill | Cmore damage than 71% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
| Bath | C−more damage than 85% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Newbury | — | 393 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| North Haverhill | — | 728 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Wells River | — | 340 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Woodsville | — | a Census area inside a town; graded with the town | |
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 Newbury 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.
- 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 Newbury
Is Newbury at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Newbury has higher expected damage per building than 62% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (91%). 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 Newbury flood?
Flood insurance has paid 5 claims in Newbury since 1984, $36K in all, or 3.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 53% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Hurricane Irene (3).
Is Newbury 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 Orange County, 0.9% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Newbury?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Newbury’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 Newbury?
By FEMA money that reached Newbury, Severe Storms and Flooding (2017): $78K to the Town of Newbury for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Irene: 3 paid, $32K.
Is Newbury at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (91%), and Newbury’s rate for it is higher than 80% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Newbury.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Newbury’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.