Natural Disasters in Newton, MA
Hazard risk, disaster history, and FEMA data
Natural Hazard Risk
Source: FEMA National Risk IndexRisk Score
96.9
Relatively High
Expected Annual Loss
98.0
Score (0-100)
Social Vulnerability
15.8
Score (0-100)
Community Resilience
89.8
Score (0-100)
Scores range from 0 (lowest risk) to 100 (highest risk) relative to all U.S. communities. Data from FEMA National Risk Index.
Disaster History & Federal Spending
Source: FEMATotal Declarations
35
Public Assistance
$631.0M
Individual Assistance
$30.2M
Most Common Type
Severe Storm
9 declarations
Public Assistance by Category
| Disaster | Type | Date | PA $ | IA $ |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hurricane Lee → | Hurricane | Sep 2023 | — | — |
| Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm → | Winter Storm | Apr 2022 | $29K | — |
| Covid-19 Pandemic → | Biological | Mar 2020 | $559.2M | $18.6M |
| Covid-19 → | Biological | Mar 2020 | — | — |
| Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm → | Snowstorm | Jul 2018 | $10.8M | — |
| Severe Winter Storm, Snowstorm, and Floo… → | Severe Storm | Apr 2015 | $14.7M | — |
| Severe Winter Storm, Snowstorm, and Floo… → | Severe Storm | Apr 2013 | $9.6M | — |
| Explosions → | Terrorist | Apr 2013 | $958K | — |
| Hurricane Sandy → | Hurricane | Dec 2012 | $175K | — |
| Hurricane Sandy → | Hurricane | Oct 2012 | — | — |
| Severe Storm and Snowstorm → | Severe Storm | Jan 2012 | $4.4M | — |
| Severe Storm → | Severe Storm | Nov 2011 | — | — |
| Hurricane Irene → | Hurricane | Aug 2011 | $1.6M | — |
| Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm → | Snowstorm | Mar 2011 | $6.4M | — |
| Hurricane Earl → | Hurricane | Sep 2010 | $20K | — |
| Water Main Break → | Other | May 2010 | — | — |
| Severe Storms and Flooding → | Severe Storm | Mar 2010 | $5.9M | $10.5M |
| Severe Winter Storm and Flooding → | Severe Ice Storm | Jan 2009 | $4.2M | — |
| Severe Winter Storm → | Severe Storm | Dec 2008 | — | — |
| Severe Storms and Flooding → | Severe Storm | May 2006 | — | $725K |
Showing 20 of 41 disasters
PA = FEMA Public Assistance (infrastructure recovery). IA = Individual Assistance (homeowner/renter aid).
Flood Insurance (NFIP)
Source: FEMA NFIPTotal Claims
3,749
Total Claims Paid
$36,485,823
Avg Claim Payout
$9,732
County-level NFIP data from FEMA National Flood Insurance Program.
Hazard Mitigation
Source: FEMA Hazard Mitigation AssistanceMitigation Projects
75
Federal Funding
$21,508,870
Properties Protected
4
Avg Benefit-Cost Ratio
1.28
BCR
Top Mitigation Project Types
| Project Type | Projects | Federal $ |
|---|---|---|
| 403.1: Stormwater Management - Culverts | 28 | $8,735,589 |
| 91.1: Local Multihazard Mitigation Plan | 8 | $124,872 |
| 500.3: Flood Control - Dam | 4 | $947,017 |
| 601.1: Generators | 4 | $60,010 |
| 601.2: Generators - Regular; 602.1: Other Equipment Purchase and Installation | 3 | $305,925 |
Federally funded projects to reduce future disaster risk. Only includes completed or obligated projects.
Newton has a relatively high overall natural hazard risk rating according to FEMA's National Risk Index. The top hazard risks are ice storm, lightning, earthquake. The area has had 35 federal disaster declarations. The most common disaster type is severe storm (9 declarations). 3,749 flood insurance claims have been filed in the area. FEMA has obligated $630,967,091 in public assistance recovery funding. $30,198,331 has been distributed in individual assistance to disaster-affected residents. 75 hazard mitigation projects have been funded to reduce future risk.