Photo: Brandonrush · CC BY-SA 4.0More hazard damage per building is expected in Brinkley than in 84% of U.S. towns, led by earthquakes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Brinkley gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 84% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is earthquakes (49%), then river and rain flooding (28%). Flood insurance has paid 17 claims here since 1983.
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 Brinkley faces
Each hazard’s share of the building damage FEMA expects here, and how its rate compares with the rest of the country.
Earthquakes
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 Brinkley’s grade
Earthquakes are 49% of the building damage FEMA expects in Brinkley, and Brinkley’s rate of earthquakes damage is in the top 9% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 14%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
C− higher expected damage per building than 84% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Brinkley’s residents live in 2 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $3.1M a year in losses across Brinkley: $1.6M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Brinkley flood? Sometimes: 17 flood claims since 1983
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Brinkley, from FEMA’s records: 10.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 75% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Mid-spring storms1 claim · $3K
Brinkley isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Monroe County.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Brinkley
Disasters that paid out in Brinkley itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Brinkley), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2011Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Associated Flooding69 households applied for aid$157K aid approved$58K to the City of Brinkley for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2009Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding$10K to the City of Brinkley for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2008Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding14 households applied for aid$17K aid approved$156K to the City of Brinkley for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2000Severe Winter Ice Storm$53K to the City of Brinkley for repairs
Monroe County has had 22 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then floods. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Brinkley after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Brinkley archive →Get ready for what Brinkley faces
A short kit for the hazards that drive the building damage here, what to check before you buy, and where neighbors get alerts.
- Drop, cover and hold on.
- Strap tall furniture and the water heater to the wall.
- Know how to shut off the gas.
- 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 Brinkley
Is Brinkley at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Brinkley has higher expected damage per building than 84% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is earthquakes (49%) and river and rain flooding (28%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Brinkley flood?
Flood insurance has paid 17 claims in Brinkley since 1983, $115K in all, or 10.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 75% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 3 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Mid-spring storms (1).
Is Brinkley 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 Monroe County, 2.7% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Brinkley?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Brinkley’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 Brinkley?
By FEMA money that reached Brinkley, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Associated Flooding (2011): 69 households applied for aid, $157K approved, and $58K to the City of Brinkley for repairs. By flood claims, Mid-spring storms: 1 paid, $3K.
Is Brinkley at risk from earthquakes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (49%), and Brinkley’s rate for it is in the top 9% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Brinkley.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Brinkley’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.