Photo: Ebyabe · CC BY 2.5FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Brooksville than in 63% of U.S. towns, mostly from hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Brooksville gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 63% of U.S. towns, #100 of 638 in Florida. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (52%), then river and rain flooding (38%). Flood insurance has paid 62 claims here since 1979.
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 Brooksville’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Brooksville 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 Brooksville’s grade
Hurricanes are 52% of the building damage FEMA expects in Brooksville, and Brooksville’s rate of hurricanes damage is in the top 9% of U.S. census tracts. Next is river and rain flooding at 38% (lower than 76% of U.S. census tracts).
C+ #100 of 638 in Florida; higher expected damage per building than 63% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Brooksville’s residents live in 8 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, Brooksville has less expected damage per building than 84% of Florida towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $3.3M a year in losses across Brooksville: $2.8M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Brooksville flood? Sometimes: 62 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Brooksville, from FEMA’s records: 12.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 77% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Blizzard of 199317 claims · $372K
- Hurricane Elena12 claims · $80K
- Hurricane Milton7 claims · $820K
Brooksville isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Hernando County.11 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Brooksville
Disasters that paid out in Brooksville itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Brooksville), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Hurricane Milton6,607 households applied for aid$7.0M aid approved$37K to the City of Brooksville for repairs7 flood claims paid for it, $820K
- 2024Hurricane Helene1,851 households applied for aid$2.6M aid approved
- 2023Hurricane Idalia631 households applied for aid$756K aid approved$23K to the City of Brooksville for repairs1 flood claim paid for it, $10K
- 2017Hurricane Irma7,538 households applied for aid$3.6M aid approved$299K to the City of Brooksville for repairs5 flood claims paid for it, $101K
- 2016Hurricane Hermine55 households applied for aid$44K aid approved$14K to the City of Brooksville for repairs
- 2012Tropical Storm Debby1,122 households applied for aid$1.5M aid approved$16K to the City of Brooksville for repairs4 flood claims paid for it, $15K
Show all 11
- 2008Tropical Storm Fay$2K to the City of Brooksville for repairs
- 2004Hurricane Jeanne1,124 households applied for aid$1.2M aid approved$145K to the City of Brooksville for repairs
- 2004Hurricane Frances1,166 households applied for aid$1.3M aid approved$240K to the City of Brooksville for repairs
- 2004Tropical Storm Bonnie and Hurricane Charley$26K to the City of Brooksville for repairs
- 2003Severe Storms and Flooding$6K to the City of Brooksville for repairs
Hernando County has had 29 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 1 FEMA wildfire suppression grant (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Hernando County, 2000–2000.
Old photos of Brooksville after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Brooksville archive →Brooksville and its neighbors
Brooksville has the lowest expected damage per building of the 3 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brooksville | C+more damage than 63% | hurricanes | 62 |
| North Brooksville | Cmore damage than 73% | hurricanes | 14 |
| South Brooksville | Cmore damage than 73% | hurricanes | 8 |
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 Brooksville 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 Brooksville
Is Brooksville at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Brooksville has higher expected damage per building than 63% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk, #100 of 638 in Florida. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (52%) and river and rain flooding (38%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Brooksville flood?
Flood insurance has paid 62 claims in Brooksville since 1979, $1.8M in all, or 12.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 77% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 3 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Blizzard of 1993 (17).
Is Brooksville 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 Hernando County, 54% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 4.8% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Brooksville?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Brooksville’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 Brooksville?
By FEMA money that reached Brooksville, Hurricane Milton (2024): 6,607 households applied for aid, $7.0M approved, and $37K to the City of Brooksville for repairs. By flood claims, Blizzard of 1993: 17 paid, $372K.
Is Brooksville at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (52%), and Brooksville’s rate for it is in the top 9% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Brooksville.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Brooksville’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.