FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Brewton than in 94% of U.S. towns, mostly from hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Brewton gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 94% of U.S. towns, #171 of 187 in Alabama. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (61%), then river and rain flooding (33%). Flood insurance has paid 164 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 Brewton’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Brewton faces
Each hazard’s share of the building damage FEMA expects here, and how its rate compares with the rest of the country.
Hurricanes
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 Brewton’s grade
Hurricanes are 61% of the building damage FEMA expects in Brewton, and Brewton’s rate of hurricanes damage is in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts. Next is river and rain flooding at 33% (higher than 71% of U.S. census tracts).
D #171 of 187 in Alabama; higher expected damage per building than 94% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Brewton’s residents live in 4 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, Brewton has more expected damage per building than 91% of Alabama towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $5.8M a year in losses across Brewton: $4.8M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Brewton flood? Yes: 164 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Brewton, from FEMA’s records: 67.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 94% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Georges31 claims · $885K
- Hurricane Sally5 claims · $1.4M
- Hurricane Opal2 claims · $8K
Brewton isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Escambia County.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Brewton
Disasters that paid out in Brewton itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Brewton), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2020Hurricane Sally777 households applied for aid$932K aid approved$182K to the City of Brewton for repairs5 flood claims paid for it, $1.4M
- 2011Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding34 households applied for aid$81K aid approved
- 2009Severe Storms and Flooding$309K to the City of Brewton for repairs39 flood claims paid that year
- 2005Hurricane Dennis484 households applied for aid$354K aid approved$167K to the City of Brewton for repairs
- 2004Hurricane Ivan3,522 households applied for aid$5.2M aid approved$279K to the City of Brewton for repairs1 flood claim paid for it, $4K
- 2003Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding47 households applied for aid$57K aid approved
Escambia County has had 23 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often hurricanes and tropical storms, then severe storms.
Old photos of Brewton after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Brewton archive →Brewton and its neighbors
Brewton 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brewton | Dmore damage than 94% | hurricanes | 164 |
| East Brewton | D−more damage than 97% | hurricanes | 43 |
| Riverview | — | 260 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
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 Brewton faces
A short kit for the hazards that drive the building damage here, what to check before you buy, and where neighbors get alerts.
- 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.
- 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 Brewton
Is Brewton at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Brewton has higher expected damage per building than 94% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk, #171 of 187 in Alabama. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (61%) and river and rain flooding (33%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Brewton flood?
Flood insurance has paid 164 claims in Brewton since 1978, $9.4M in all, or 67.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 94% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 25 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Georges (31).
Is Brewton 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 Escambia County, 10% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.5% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Brewton?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Brewton’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 Brewton?
By FEMA money that reached Brewton, Hurricane Ivan (2004): 3,522 households applied for aid, $5.2M approved, and $279K to the City of Brewton for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Georges: 31 paid, $885K.
Is Brewton at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (61%), and Brewton’s rate for it is in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Brewton.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Brewton’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.