FEMA puts Brookland’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 74% of U.S. towns, led by earthquakes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Brookland gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 74% of U.S. towns, #66 of 123 in Arkansas. Most of that expected damage is earthquakes (45%), then river and rain flooding (34%). Flood insurance has paid 1 claim here since 1998.
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 Brookland 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
Ice storms
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 Brookland’s grade
Earthquakes are 45% of the building damage FEMA expects in Brookland, and Brookland’s rate of earthquakes damage is higher than 88% of U.S. census tracts. Ice storms add 9%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
C #66 of 123 in Arkansas; higher expected damage per building than 74% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Brookland’s residents live in 3 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
The typical Arkansas town has higher expected damage than 73% of U.S. towns; within the state, Brookland has more expected damage per building than 53% of Arkansas towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.6M a year in losses across Brookland: $955K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Brookland flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 1998
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Brookland, from FEMA’s records: 0.5 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 89% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Brookland isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Craighead County.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Brookland
Disasters that paid out in Brookland itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Brookland), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2020Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Straight-line Winds$25K to the City of Brookland for repairs
- 2017Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding$19K to the City of Brookland for repairs
- 2009Severe Winter Storm$71K to the City of Brookland for repairs
- 2002Severe Ice Storm$12K to the City of Brookland for repairs
Craighead County has had 23 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 Brookland after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Brookland archive →Get ready for what Brookland 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.
- Ice brings down trees and lines: plan for days without power.
- Run a generator outside, far from doors and windows.
- Keep sand or salt by the door.
- 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 Brookland
Is Brookland at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Brookland has higher expected damage per building than 74% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #66 of 123 in Arkansas. Most of the expected damage is earthquakes (45%) and river and rain flooding (34%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Brookland flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in Brookland since 1998, $828 in all, or 0.5 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 89% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Brookland 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 Craighead County, 2.0% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Brookland?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Brookland’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 Brookland?
By FEMA money that reached Brookland, Severe Winter Storm (2009): $71K to the City of Brookland for repairs.
Is Brookland at risk from earthquakes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (45%), and Brookland’s rate for it is higher than 88% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Brookland.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Brookland’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.