Photo: Chris Flook · CC BY-SA 4.0Storms, floods and disasters in Brooksburg
Brooksburg isn’t graded for hazard risk: Brooksburg has 111 residents; we grade towns of 1,000 or more. Flood insurance has paid 6 claims here since 1978.
What Brooksburg 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
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.
Does Brooksburg flood? Rarely: 6 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Brooksburg, from FEMA’s records.
- The Central U.S. April Flooding1 claim · $5K
Brooksburg isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Jefferson County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Brooksburg
Disasters that paid out in Brooksburg itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Brooksburg), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2018Severe Storms and Flooding1 households applied for aid$2K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
Jefferson County has had 22 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 Brooksburg after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Brooksburg archive →Get ready for what Brooksburg 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.
- 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 Brooksburg
Does Brooksburg flood?
Flood insurance has paid 6 claims in Brooksburg since 1978, $74K in all. The most claims came from Central U.S. April Flooding (1).
Is Brooksburg 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 Jefferson County, 12% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.5% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Brooksburg?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Brooksburg’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 Brooksburg?
By FEMA money that reached Brooksburg, Severe Storms and Flooding (2018): 1 households applied for aid, $2K approved. By flood claims, Central U.S. April Flooding: 1 paid, $5K.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Brooksburg.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Brooksburg’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.