More hazard damage per building is expected in Brent than in 82% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Brent gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 82% of U.S. towns, #153 of 187 in Alabama. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (78%), then tornadoes (14%). Flood insurance has paid 3 claims here since 2009.
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 Brent 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
Tornadoes
Earthquakes
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 Brent’s grade
River and rain flooding is 78% of the building damage FEMA expects in Brent, and Brent’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 86% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 14%, at a rate in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts.
C− #153 of 187 in Alabama; higher expected damage per building than 82% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Brent’s residents live in 2 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
The typical Alabama town has higher expected damage than 66% of U.S. towns; within the state, Brent has more expected damage per building than 82% of Alabama towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.4M a year in losses across Brent: $1.0M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Brent flood? Rarely: 3 flood claims since 2009
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Brent, from FEMA’s records: 2.5 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 56% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Francine1 claim · $86
- Hurricane Isaac1 claim · $2K
Brent isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Bibb County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Brent
Disasters that paid out in Brent itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Brent), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Tornadoes58 households applied for aid$109K aid approved$14K to the City of Brent for repairs
- 2011Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding120 households applied for aid$14K aid approved$18K to the City of Brent for repairs
- 2005Hurricane Katrina$3K to the City of Brent for repairs
- 2005Hurricane Dennis$6K to the City of Brent for repairs
- 2004Hurricane Ivan167 households applied for aid$121K aid approved$15K to the City of Brent for repairs
Bibb County has had 17 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often hurricanes and tropical storms, then severe storms.
Old photos of Brent after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Brent archive →Brent and its neighbors
Brent has the lowest expected damage per building of the 2 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brent | C−more damage than 82% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Centreville | C−more damage than 84% | river and rain flooding | — |
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 Brent 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.
- Pick your spot now: the lowest floor, an inside room, no windows.
- A watch means be ready; a warning means take cover now.
- Keep shoes and a flashlight by the bed.
- Drop, cover and hold on.
- Strap tall furniture and the water heater to the wall.
- Know how to shut off the gas.
- 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 Brent
Is Brent at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Brent has higher expected damage per building than 82% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #153 of 187 in Alabama. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (78%) and tornadoes (14%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Brent flood?
Flood insurance has paid 3 claims in Brent since 2009, $4K in all, or 2.5 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 56% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Francine (1).
Is Brent 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 Bibb County, 5% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.2% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Brent?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Brent’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 Brent?
By FEMA money that reached Brent, Hurricane Ivan (2004): 167 households applied for aid, $121K approved, and $15K to the City of Brent for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Francine: 1 paid, $86.
Is Brent at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (78%), and Brent’s rate for it is higher than 86% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Brent.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Brent’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.