Photo: Rivers Langley; SaveRivers · CC BY-SA 3.0More hazard damage per building is expected in Millbrook than in 79% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Millbrook gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 79% of U.S. towns, #145 of 187 in Alabama. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (84%). Flood insurance has paid 8 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 Millbrook 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
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 Millbrook’s grade
River and rain flooding is 84% of the building damage FEMA expects in Millbrook, and Millbrook’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 87% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 7% (higher than 82% of U.S. census tracts).
C− #145 of 187 in Alabama; higher expected damage per building than 79% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Millbrook’s residents live in 8 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, Millbrook has more expected damage per building than 77% of Alabama towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $5.6M a year in losses across Millbrook: $4.4M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Millbrook flood? Rarely: 8 flood claims since 2009
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Millbrook, from FEMA’s records: 1.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 76% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Early winter storms1 claim · $25K
Millbrook isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Elmore County.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Millbrook
Disasters that paid out in Millbrook itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Millbrook), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2023Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Tornadoes23 households applied for aid$50K aid approved
- 2015Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding$202K to the City of Millbrook for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2011Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding50 households applied for aid$57K aid approved
- 2009Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Flooding, and Straight-line Winds51 households applied for aid$68K aid approved$65K to the City of Millbrook for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
- 2005Hurricane Dennis$8K to the City of Millbrook for repairs
- 2004Hurricane Ivan224 households applied for aid$161K aid approved$123K to the City of Millbrook for repairs
Elmore County has had 21 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often hurricanes and tropical storms, then severe storms.
Old photos of Millbrook after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Millbrook archive →Millbrook and its neighbors
Millbrook is 5th of the 5 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prattville | C+more damage than 60% | river and rain flooding | 39 |
| Deatsville | Cmore damage than 66% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Coosada | Cmore damage than 73% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Elmore | C−more damage than 76% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Millbrook | C−more damage than 79% | river and rain flooding | 8 |
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 Millbrook 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.
- 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 Millbrook
Is Millbrook at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Millbrook has higher expected damage per building than 79% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #145 of 187 in Alabama. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (84%) and tornadoes (7%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Millbrook flood?
Flood insurance has paid 8 claims in Millbrook since 2009, $158K in all, or 1.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 76% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Early winter storms (1).
Is Millbrook 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 Elmore County, 32% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.1% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Millbrook?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Millbrook’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 Millbrook?
By FEMA money that reached Millbrook, Hurricane Ivan (2004): 224 households applied for aid, $161K approved, and $123K to the City of Millbrook for repairs. By flood claims, Early winter storms: 1 paid, $25K.
Is Millbrook at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (84%), and Millbrook’s rate for it is higher than 87% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Millbrook.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Millbrook’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.