Photo: FightingRaven531 · Public domainFEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Brandon than in 71% of U.S. towns, led by hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Brandon gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 71% of U.S. towns, #184 of 638 in Florida. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (48%), then river and rain flooding (43%). Flood insurance has paid 85 claims here since 1982.
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 Brandon’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Brandon 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
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 Brandon’s grade
Hurricanes are 48% of the building damage FEMA expects in Brandon, and Brandon’s rate of hurricanes damage is in the top 9% of U.S. census tracts. Next is river and rain flooding at 43% (lower than 54% of U.S. census tracts).
C #184 of 638 in Florida; higher expected damage per building than 71% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Brandon’s residents live in 23 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
The typical Florida town has higher expected damage than 79% of U.S. towns; within the state, Brandon has less expected damage per building than 71% of Florida towns.
Among the 400 U.S. cities of 100,000 or more, Brandon has higher expected damage per building than 64% (#256 of 400). Because it is so big, its total expected yearly loss, $37.8M, is the 309th largest of those 400.
Does Brandon flood? Sometimes: 85 flood claims since 1982
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Brandon, from FEMA’s records: 1.7 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 65% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Milton42 claims · $3.2M
- Hurricane Frances5 claims · $11K
- Hurricane Elena3 claims · $26K
Brandon isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Hillsborough County.9 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Brandon
Disasters that paid out in Brandon itself (aid to households or repair grants to Brandon), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Hurricane Milton15,491 households applied for aid$4.9M aid approved42 flood claims paid for it, $3.2M
- 2024Hurricane Helene2,900 households applied for aid$1.8M aid approved
- 2024Hurricane Debby358 households applied for aid$109K aid approved
- 2023Hurricane Idalia428 households applied for aid$116K aid approved
- 2022Hurricane Ian6,754 households applied for aid$2.3M aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2017Hurricane Irma7,253 households applied for aid$1.9M aid approved3 flood claims paid for it, $29K
Show all 9
- 2012Tropical Storm Debby8 households applied for aid$1K aid approved2 flood claims paid that year
- 2004Hurricane Jeanne678 households applied for aid$433K aid approved
- 2004Hurricane Frances287 households applied for aid$213K aid approved5 flood claims paid for it, $11K
Hillsborough County has had 34 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often hurricanes and tropical storms, then severe storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Also 3 FEMA wildfire suppression grants (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Hillsborough County, 1999–2001.
Old photos of Brandon after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Brandon archive →Brandon and its neighbors
Brandon is 5th 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mango | C+more damage than 60% | hurricanes | 4 |
| Palm River-Clair Mel | C+more damage than 65% | hurricanes | 257 |
| Seffner | Cmore damage than 68% | hurricanes | 1 |
| East Lake-Orient Park | Cmore damage than 68% | hurricanes | 22 |
| Brandon | Cmore damage than 71% | hurricanes | 85 |
| Riverview | Cmore damage than 75% | river and rain flooding | 233 |
| Valrico | C−more damage than 84% | river and rain flooding | 38 |
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 Brandon 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.
- 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 Brandon
Is Brandon at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Brandon has higher expected damage per building than 71% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #184 of 638 in Florida. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (48%) and river and rain flooding (43%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Brandon flood?
Flood insurance has paid 85 claims in Brandon since 1982, $3.7M in all, or 1.7 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 65% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Hurricane Milton (42).
Is Brandon 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 Hillsborough County, 61% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 12.1% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Brandon?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Brandon’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 Brandon?
By FEMA money that reached Brandon, Hurricane Milton (2024): 15,491 households applied for aid, $4.9M approved. By flood claims, Hurricane Milton: 42 paid, $3.2M.
Is Brandon at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (48%), and Brandon’s rate for it is in the top 9% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Brandon.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Brandon’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.