Photo: Jb91archivist · CC BY-SA 4.0Less hazard damage per building is expected in Brunswick than in 98% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Brunswick gets an A+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 98% of U.S. towns, #78 of 261 in Maryland. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (81%). Flood insurance has paid 6 claims here since 1984.
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 Brunswick 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
Hurricanes
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 Brunswick’s grade
River and rain flooding is 81% of the building damage FEMA expects in Brunswick, and Brunswick’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 87% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 6% (higher than 63% of U.S. census tracts).
A+ #78 of 261 in Maryland; lower expected damage per building than 98% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Brunswick’s residents live in 2 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
The typical Maryland town has lower expected damage than 97% of U.S. towns; within the state, Brunswick has less expected damage per building than 70% of Maryland towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.1M a year in losses across Brunswick: $691K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Brunswick flood? Rarely: 6 flood claims since 1984
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Brunswick, from FEMA’s records: 1.7 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 65% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Brunswick isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Frederick County.7 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Brunswick
Disasters that paid out in Brunswick itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Brunswick), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2018Severe Storms and Flooding$229K to the City of Brunswick for repairs3 flood claims paid that year
- 2016Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$23K to the City of Brunswick for repairs
- 2012Hurricane Sandy$13K to the City of Brunswick for repairs
- 2010Severe Winter Storms and Snowstorms$15K to the City of Brunswick for repairs
- 2003Hurricane Isabel2 households applied for aid$27K to the City of Brunswick for repairs
- 2003Snow$9K to the City of Brunswick for repairs
Show all 7
- 2000Severe Winter Storm$7K to the City of Brunswick for repairs
Frederick County has had 19 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often winter storms, then floods. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Brunswick after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Brunswick archive →Brunswick and its neighbors
Brunswick has the lowest expected damage per building of the 1 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brunswick | A+less damage than 98% | river and rain flooding | 6 |
| Rosemont | — | 310 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
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 Brunswick 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.
- 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.
- 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 Brunswick
Is Brunswick at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Brunswick has lower expected damage per building than 98% of U.S. towns: A+ for hazard risk, #78 of 261 in Maryland. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (81%) and hurricanes (6%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Brunswick flood?
Flood insurance has paid 6 claims in Brunswick since 1984, $51K in all, or 1.7 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 65% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once.
Is Brunswick 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 Frederick County, 19% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.6% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Brunswick?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Brunswick’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 Brunswick?
By FEMA money that reached Brunswick, Severe Storms and Flooding (2018): $229K to the City of Brunswick for repairs.
Is Brunswick at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (81%), and Brunswick’s rate for it is lower than 87% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Brunswick.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Brunswick’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.