Photo: Public domain · Public domainMore hazard damage per building is expected in Brooklyn than in 63% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Brooklyn gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 63% of U.S. towns, #84 of 155 in Connecticut. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (75%), then hurricanes (20%). Flood insurance has paid 3 claims here since 2007.
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 Brooklyn 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
Hurricanes
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 Brooklyn’s grade
River and rain flooding is 75% of the building damage FEMA expects in Brooklyn, and Brooklyn’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 71% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 20% (higher than 85% of U.S. census tracts).
C+ #84 of 155 in Connecticut; higher expected damage per building than 63% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Brooklyn’s residents live in 2 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
The typical Connecticut town has higher expected damage than 62% of U.S. towns; within the state, Brooklyn has more expected damage per building than 54% of Connecticut towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.1M a year in losses across Brooklyn: $1.9M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Brooklyn flood? Rarely: 3 flood claims since 2007
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Brooklyn, from FEMA’s records: 0.9 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 80% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The March 2010 nor’easter1 claim · $5K
Brooklyn isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: the county.7 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Brooklyn
Disasters that paid out in Brooklyn itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Brooklyn), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2015Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$24K to the Town of Brooklyn for repairs
- 2013Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$16K to the Town of Brooklyn for repairs
- 2011Tropical Storm Irene$24K to the Town of Brooklyn for repairs
- 2006Snow$14K to the Town of Brooklyn for repairs
- 2005Record Snow$20K to the Town of Brooklyn for repairs
- 2003Snow$20K to the Town of Brooklyn for repairs
Show all 7
- 2003Snow$8K to the Town of Brooklyn for repairs
Old photos of Brooklyn after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Brooklyn archive →Brooklyn and its neighbors
Brooklyn is 4th of the 7 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hampton | B−less damage than 51% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Canterbury | B−more damage than 52% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Pomfret | C+more damage than 61% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
| Brooklyn | C+more damage than 63% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Plainfield | Cmore damage than 73% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
| Killingly | C−more damage than 76% | river and rain flooding | 6 |
| Danielson | C−more damage than 80% | river and rain flooding | — |
| East Brooklyn | — | a Census area inside a town; graded with the town | |
| Wauregan | — | a Census area inside a town; graded with the town | |
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 Brooklyn 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.
- 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.
- 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 Brooklyn
Is Brooklyn at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Brooklyn has higher expected damage per building than 63% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk, #84 of 155 in Connecticut. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (75%) and hurricanes (20%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Brooklyn flood?
Flood insurance has paid 3 claims in Brooklyn since 2007, $26K in all, or 0.9 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 80% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from March 2010 Nor'easter (1).
Is Brooklyn 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 the county, 0.2% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Brooklyn?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Brooklyn’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 Brooklyn?
By FEMA money that reached Brooklyn, Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm (2015): $24K to the Town of Brooklyn for repairs. By flood claims, March 2010 Nor'easter: 1 paid, $5K.
Is Brooklyn at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (75%), and Brooklyn’s rate for it is higher than 71% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Brooklyn.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Brooklyn’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.