FEMA puts Brookfield’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 69% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Brookfield gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 69% of U.S. towns, #156 of 247 in Missouri. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (80%), then tornadoes (12%). Flood insurance has paid 19 claims here since 1996.
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 Brookfield 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 Brookfield’s grade
River and rain flooding is 80% of the building damage FEMA expects in Brookfield, and Brookfield’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 78% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 12%, at a rate in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts.
C #156 of 247 in Missouri; higher expected damage per building than 69% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Brookfield’s residents live in 2 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
The typical Missouri town has higher expected damage than 59% of U.S. towns; within the state, Brookfield has more expected damage per building than 63% of Missouri towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.9M a year in losses across Brookfield: $1.8M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Brookfield flood? Sometimes: 19 flood claims since 1996
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Brookfield, from FEMA’s records: 8.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 71% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Brookfield isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Linn County.7 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Brookfield
Disasters that paid out in Brookfield itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Brookfield), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2015Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding$55K to the City of Brookfield for repairs
- 2011Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$22K to the City of Brookfield for repairs
- 2008Severe Storms, Flooding, and a Tornado4 households applied for aid$31K aid approved$26K to the City of Brookfield for repairs
- 2008Severe Storms and Flooding37 households applied for aid$159K aid approved$17K to the City of Brookfield for repairs
- 2004Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding7 households applied for aid$6K aid approved
- 2002Severe Storms, Tornadoes and Flooding$29K to the City of Brookfield for repairs
Show all 7
- 2002Severe Winter Ice Storm$30K to the City of Brookfield for repairs
Linn County has had 18 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 Brookfield after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Brookfield archive →Get ready for what Brookfield 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 Brookfield
Is Brookfield at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Brookfield has higher expected damage per building than 69% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #156 of 247 in Missouri. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (80%) and tornadoes (12%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Brookfield flood?
Flood insurance has paid 19 claims in Brookfield since 1996, $190K in all, or 8.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 71% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 4 properties have flooded more than once.
Is Brookfield 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 Linn County, 1% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.1% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Brookfield?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Brookfield’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 Brookfield?
By FEMA money that reached Brookfield, Severe Storms and Flooding (2008): 37 households applied for aid, $159K approved, and $17K to the City of Brookfield for repairs.
Is Brookfield at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (80%), and Brookfield’s rate for it is higher than 78% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Brookfield.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Brookfield’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.