More hazard damage per building is expected in Bronson than in 81% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Bronson gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 81% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (50%), then hurricanes (43%). FEMA’s files show no paid flood insurance claims here.
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 Bronson 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 Bronson’s grade
River and rain flooding is 50% of the building damage FEMA expects in Bronson, and Bronson’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 64% of U.S. census tracts. Hurricanes add 43%, at a rate in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts.
C− higher expected damage per building than 81% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Bronson’s residents live in 2 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $301K a year in losses across Bronson: $190K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Bronson flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Bronson. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Bronson isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Levy County.7 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Bronson
Disasters that paid out in Bronson itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Bronson), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Hurricane Helene394 households applied for aid$491K aid approved
- 2024Hurricane Debby230 households applied for aid$91K aid approved
- 2023Hurricane Idalia139 households applied for aid$134K aid approved
- 2017Hurricane Irma550 households applied for aid$198K aid approved
- 2004Hurricane Jeanne83 households applied for aid$118K aid approved$6K to the Town of Bronson for repairs
- 2004Hurricane Frances157 households applied for aid$258K aid approved$7K to the Town of Bronson for repairs
Show all 7
- 2004Tropical Storm Bonnie and Hurricane Charley12 households applied for aid$8K aid approved$3K to the Town of Bronson for repairs
Levy County has had 31 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 Levy County, 1999–2026.
Old photos of Bronson after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Bronson archive →Bronson and its neighbors
Bronson is 2nd of the 2 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| East Bronson | C−more damage than 80% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Bronson | C−more damage than 81% | river and rain flooding | 0 |
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 Bronson 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 Bronson
Is Bronson at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Bronson has higher expected damage per building than 81% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (50%) and hurricanes (43%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Is Bronson 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 Levy County, 29% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 4.3% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Bronson?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Bronson’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 Bronson?
By FEMA money that reached Bronson, Hurricane Helene (2024): 394 households applied for aid, $491K approved.
Is Bronson at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (50%), and Bronson’s rate for it is higher than 64% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Bronson.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Bronson’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.