Photo: W.marsh · CC BY-SA 3.0More hazard damage per building is expected in Brandenburg than in 81% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Brandenburg gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 81% of U.S. towns, #110 of 142 in Kentucky. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (78%). Flood insurance has paid 6 claims here since 1997.
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 Brandenburg 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.
What’s behind Brandenburg’s grade
River and rain flooding is 78% of the building damage FEMA expects in Brandenburg, and Brandenburg’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 85% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 10%, at a rate in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts.
C− #110 of 142 in Kentucky; higher expected damage per building than 81% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Brandenburg’s residents live in 2 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
The typical Kentucky town has higher expected damage than 52% of U.S. towns; within the state, Brandenburg has more expected damage per building than 77% of Kentucky towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.7M a year in losses across Brandenburg: $1.2M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Brandenburg flood? Rarely: 6 flood claims since 1997
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Brandenburg, from FEMA’s records: 5.0 per 1,000 homes, more than 60% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Central U.S. April Flooding1 claim · $3K
Brandenburg isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Meade County.7 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Brandenburg
Disasters that paid out in Brandenburg itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Brandenburg), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2025Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides22 households applied for aid$97K aid approved$7K to the City of Brandenburg for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2011Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding$52K to the City of Brandenburg for repairs
- 2009Severe Winter Storm and Flooding$39K to the City of Brandenburg for repairs
- 2008Severe Wind Storm Associated with Tropical Depression Ike$31K to the City of Brandenburg for repairs
- 2008Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and71 households applied for aid$70K aid approved$56K to the City of Brandenburg for repairs
- 2004Severe Storms and Flooding$7K to the City of Brandenburg for repairs
Show all 7
- 2003Severe Storms, Flooding, Mud and Rock Slides, and Tornadoes4 households applied for aid$15K aid approved
Meade County has had 19 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 Brandenburg after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Brandenburg archive →Get ready for what Brandenburg 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 Brandenburg
Is Brandenburg at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Brandenburg has higher expected damage per building than 81% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #110 of 142 in Kentucky. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (78%) and tornadoes (10%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Brandenburg flood?
Flood insurance has paid 6 claims in Brandenburg since 1997, $175K in all, or 5.0 per 1,000 homes, more than 60% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Central U.S. April Flooding (1).
Is Brandenburg 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 Meade County, 21% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.2% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Brandenburg?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Brandenburg’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 Brandenburg?
By FEMA money that reached Brandenburg, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and (2008): 71 households applied for aid, $70K approved, and $56K to the City of Brandenburg for repairs. By flood claims, Central U.S. April Flooding: 1 paid, $3K.
Is Brandenburg at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (78%), and Brandenburg’s rate for it is higher than 85% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Brandenburg.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Brandenburg’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.