More hazard damage per building is expected in South Brooksville than in 73% of U.S. towns, led by hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, South Brooksville gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 73% of U.S. towns, #237 of 638 in Florida. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (47%), then river and rain flooding (42%). Flood insurance has paid 8 claims here since 1995.
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 South 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 South Brooksville’s grade
Hurricanes are 47% of the building damage FEMA expects in South Brooksville, and South Brooksville’s rate of hurricanes damage is in the top 9% of U.S. census tracts. Wildfire adds 4%, at a rate in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts.
C #237 of 638 in Florida; higher expected damage per building than 73% of U.S. towns (21,298).
South Brooksville’s residents live in 7 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, South Brooksville has less expected damage per building than 63% of Florida towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.4M a year in losses across South Brooksville: $1.2M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does South Brooksville flood? Rarely: 8 flood claims since 1995
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in South Brooksville, from FEMA’s records: 2.9 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 53% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Milton4 claims · $328K
- Tropical Storm Debby2 claims · $90K
- Hurricane Frances1 claim · $3K
South 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.The storms South Brooksville remembers
None of the 29 disasters declared for Hernando County shows FEMA aid or repair money reaching South Brooksville itself in FEMA’s records, so these are its biggest flood-claim years.
- 20244 flood claims paidThe year of Hurricane Milton, declared for Hernando County
- 20122 flood claims paidThe year of Tropical Storm Debby, declared for Hernando County
- 19951 flood claims paidNo declaration for the county that year
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 South Brooksville after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the South Brooksville archive →South Brooksville and its neighbors
South Brooksville is 2nd of the 3 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brooksville | C+more damage than 63% | hurricanes | 62 |
| South Brooksville | Cmore damage than 73% | hurricanes | 8 |
| Spring Hill | C−more damage than 78% | river and rain flooding | 25 |
| Wiscon | — | 499 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
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 South 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 South Brooksville
Is South Brooksville at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, South Brooksville has higher expected damage per building than 73% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #237 of 638 in Florida. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (47%) and river and rain flooding (42%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does South Brooksville flood?
Flood insurance has paid 8 claims in South Brooksville since 1995, $428K in all, or 2.9 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 53% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Hurricane Milton (4).
Is South 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 South Brooksville?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for South 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 South Brooksville?
By flood claims, Hurricane Milton: 4 paid, $328K.
Is South Brooksville at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (47%), and South Brooksville’s rate for it is in the top 9% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in South Brooksville.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where South 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.