On FEMA’s figures, Brownsburg faces about as much hazard damage per building as the typical U.S. town, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Brownsburg gets a B− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 52% of U.S. towns, #435 of 593 in Indiana. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (76%), then tornadoes (12%). Flood insurance has paid 4 claims here since 1998.
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 Brownsburg 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
Earthquakes
Hail
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 Brownsburg’s grade
River and rain flooding is 76% of the building damage FEMA expects in Brownsburg, and Brownsburg’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 64% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 12% (higher than 87% of U.S. census tracts).
B− #435 of 593 in Indiana; higher expected damage per building than 52% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Brownsburg’s residents live in 9 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
The typical Indiana town has lower expected damage than 60% of U.S. towns; within the state, Brownsburg has more expected damage per building than 73% of Indiana towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $9.8M a year in losses across Brownsburg: $7.2M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Brownsburg flood? Rarely: 4 flood claims since 1998
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Brownsburg, from FEMA’s records: 0.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 94% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Brownsburg isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Hendricks County.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Brownsburg
Disasters that paid out in Brownsburg itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Brownsburg), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2014Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$35K to the Town of Brownsburg for repairs
- 2008Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes14 households applied for aid$27K aid approved$25K to the Town of Brownsburg for repairs
- 2007Snow$43K to the Town of Brownsburg for repairs
- 2005Severe Winter Storms and Flooding1 households applied for aid$2K aid approved
- 2003Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding43 households applied for aid$69K aid approved
- 1999In-winter Storm 12/23/98$17K to the Town of Brownsburg for repairs
Hendricks County has had 11 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then winter storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Brownsburg after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Brownsburg archive →Brownsburg and its neighbors
Brownsburg is 4th of the 7 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avon | Bless damage than 59% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Washington Township | Bless damage than 58% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Lincoln Township | B−more damage than 52% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
| Brownsburg | B−more damage than 52% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
| Pittsboro | C+more damage than 58% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
| Middle Township | C+more damage than 59% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
| Brown Township | C+more damage than 65% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
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 Brownsburg 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.
- Drop, cover and hold on.
- Strap tall furniture and the water heater to the wall.
- Know how to shut off the gas.
- Park in a garage or under cover when storms are forecast.
- Stay away from windows while it falls.
- Photograph roof and car damage for your insurer.
- 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 Brownsburg
Is Brownsburg at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Brownsburg has higher expected damage per building than 52% of U.S. towns: B− for hazard risk, #435 of 593 in Indiana. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (76%) and tornadoes (12%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Brownsburg flood?
Flood insurance has paid 4 claims in Brownsburg since 1998, $66K in all, or 0.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 94% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Brownsburg 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 Hendricks County, 18% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.3% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Brownsburg?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Brownsburg’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 Brownsburg?
By FEMA money that reached Brownsburg, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2003): 43 households applied for aid, $69K approved.
Is Brownsburg at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (76%), and Brownsburg’s rate for it is higher than 64% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Brownsburg.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Brownsburg’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.