George E. Stubbins House · Photo: Ken Ratcliff · CC BY-SA 3.0Less hazard damage per building is expected in Britt than in 73% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Britt gets a B+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 73% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (56%), then tornadoes (33%). 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 stands out about Britt’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Britt 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
Tornadoes
Strong wind
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 Britt’s grade
River and rain flooding is 56% of the building damage FEMA expects in Britt, and Britt’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 78% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 33%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
B+ lower expected damage per building than 73% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Britt’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.4M a year in losses across Britt: $550K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Britt flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Britt. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Britt isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Hancock County.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Britt
Disasters that paid out in Britt itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Britt), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2008Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding32 households applied for aid$77K aid approved$4K to the City of Britt for repairs
- 2007Snow$6K to the City of Britt for repairs
- 2004Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding15 households applied for aid$15K aid approved
Hancock County has had 12 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then floods. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Britt after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Britt archive →Get ready for what Britt 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.
- 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.
- Trim dead limbs over the house and driveway.
- Tie down trash cans and outdoor furniture.
- Stay clear of downed lines and call the utility.
- 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 Britt
Is Britt at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Britt has lower expected damage per building than 73% of U.S. towns: B+ for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (56%) and tornadoes (33%). The figures are for the one census tract the town shares with its neighbors. This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Is Britt 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 Hancock County, 5% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.1% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Britt?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Britt’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 Britt?
By FEMA money that reached Britt, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2008): 32 households applied for aid, $77K approved, and $4K to the City of Britt for repairs.
Is Britt at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (56%), and Britt’s rate for it is lower than 78% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Britt.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Britt’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.