Photo: Generic1139 · CC BY-SA 3.0Storms, floods and disasters in New Cumberland
New Cumberland isn’t graded for hazard risk: New Cumberland has 943 residents; we grade towns of 1,000 or more. Flood insurance has paid 81 claims here since 1978.
What New Cumberland 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.
Does New Cumberland flood? Sometimes: 81 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in New Cumberland, from FEMA’s records.
- Tropical Storm Ivan31 claims · $984K
New Cumberland isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Hancock County.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to New Cumberland
Disasters that paid out in New Cumberland itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of New Cumberland), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides29 households applied for aid$213K aid approved$40K to the City of New Cumberland for repairs7 flood claims paid that year
- 2005Severe Storms, Flooding, and Landslides$10K to the City of New Cumberland for repairs10 flood claims paid that year
- 2004Severe Storms, Flooding, and Landslides137 households applied for aid$572K aid approved$27K to the City of New Cumberland for repairs32 flood claims paid that year
- 2003Severe Winter Storm, Record/near Record Snow, Heavy Rains, Flooding and Landslides$3K to the City of New Cumberland for repairs
Hancock County has had 14 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then winter storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of New Cumberland after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the New Cumberland archive →New Cumberland and its neighbors
How expected damage per building compares across the town line. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Saline Township | C+more damage than 65% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Knox Township | C−more damage than 81% | river and rain flooding | 22 |
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 New Cumberland 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 New Cumberland
Does New Cumberland flood?
Flood insurance has paid 81 claims in New Cumberland since 1978, $1.4M in all. 18 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Tropical Storm Ivan (31).
Is New Cumberland 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 Hancock County, 18% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.6% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in New Cumberland?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for New Cumberland’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 New Cumberland?
By FEMA money that reached New Cumberland, Severe Storms, Flooding, and Landslides (2004): 137 households applied for aid, $572K approved, and $27K to the City of New Cumberland for repairs. By flood claims, Tropical Storm Ivan: 31 paid, $984K.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in New Cumberland.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where New Cumberland’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.