Photo: Jackx3 (Uploads) · Public domainFEMA puts Brusly’s expected hazard damage per building below that of 60% of U.S. towns, mostly from hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Brusly gets a B for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 60% of U.S. towns, #29 of 162 in Louisiana. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (51%), then river and rain flooding (36%). Flood insurance has paid 13 claims here since 1980.
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 Brusly 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 Brusly’s grade
Hurricanes are 51% of the building damage FEMA expects in Brusly, and Brusly’s rate of hurricanes damage is higher than 89% of U.S. census tracts. Next is river and rain flooding at 36% (lower than 91% of U.S. census tracts).
B #29 of 162 in Louisiana; lower expected damage per building than 60% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Brusly’s residents live in 2 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
The typical Louisiana town has higher expected damage than 92% of U.S. towns; within the state, Brusly has less expected damage per building than 83% of Louisiana towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.1M a year in losses across Brusly: $465K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Brusly flood? Sometimes: 13 flood claims since 1980
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Brusly, from FEMA’s records: 12.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 77% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Katrina1 claim · $6K
Brusly isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: West Baton Rouge Parish.8 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Brusly
Disasters that paid out in Brusly itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Brusly), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Hurricane Ida622 households applied for aid$252K aid approved
- 2016Severe Storms and Flooding29 households applied for aid$4K aid approved$8K to the Town of Brusly for repairs
- 2012Hurricane Isaac63 households applied for aid$42K aid approved$2K to the Town of Brusly for repairs
- 2008Hurricane Gustav563 households applied for aid$582K aid approved$35K to the Town of Brusly for repairs
- 2005Hurricane Rita125 households applied for aid$78K aid approved$2K to the Town of Brusly for repairs
- 2005Hurricane Katrina408 households applied for aid$444K aid approved$2K to the Town of Brusly for repairs1 flood claim paid for it, $6K
Show all 8
- 2004Severe Storms and Flooding104 households applied for aid$84K aid approved
- 2002Hurricane Lili$10K to the Town of Brusly for repairs
West Baton Rouge Parish has had 27 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often hurricanes and tropical storms, then floods.
Old photos of Brusly after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Brusly archive →Get ready for what Brusly 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 Brusly
Is Brusly at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Brusly has lower expected damage per building than 60% of U.S. towns: B for hazard risk, #29 of 162 in Louisiana. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (51%) and river and rain flooding (36%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Brusly flood?
Flood insurance has paid 13 claims in Brusly since 1980, $178K in all, or 12.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 77% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Hurricane Katrina (1).
Is Brusly 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 West Baton Rouge Parish, 43% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 12.2% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Brusly?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Brusly’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 Brusly?
By FEMA money that reached Brusly, Hurricane Gustav (2008): 563 households applied for aid, $582K approved, and $35K to the Town of Brusly for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Katrina: 1 paid, $6K.
Is Brusly at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (51%), and Brusly’s rate for it is higher than 89% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Brusly.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Brusly’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.