Photo: Credit: Courtesy of the Mississippi Department of Archives and History · Public domainBrookhaven’s building-damage rate from tornadoes is in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Brookhaven gets a B for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 64% of U.S. towns, #4 of 101 in Mississippi. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (48%), then tornadoes (21%). Flood insurance has paid 17 claims here since 1983.
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 stands out about Brookhaven’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Brookhaven 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
Hurricanes
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 Brookhaven’s grade
River and rain flooding is 48% of the building damage FEMA expects in Brookhaven, and Brookhaven’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 80% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 21%, at a rate in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts.
B #4 of 101 in Mississippi; lower expected damage per building than 64% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Brookhaven’s residents live in 6 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
The typical Mississippi town has higher expected damage than 64% of U.S. towns; within the state, Brookhaven has less expected damage per building than 97% of Mississippi towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $4.0M a year in losses across Brookhaven: $2.8M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Brookhaven flood? Sometimes: 17 flood claims since 1983
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Brookhaven, from FEMA’s records: 3.0 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 52% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Brookhaven isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Lincoln County.8 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Brookhaven
Disasters that paid out in Brookhaven itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Brookhaven), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2026Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding857 households applied for aid$1.6M aid approved2 flood claims paid that year
- 2021Hurricane Ida$174K to the City of Brookhaven for repairs
- 2021Severe Winter Storms$68K to the City of Brookhaven for repairs
- 2012Hurricane Isaac682 households applied for aid$133K aid approved$127K to the City of Brookhaven for repairs
- 2009Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes$993 to the City of Brookhaven for repairs
- 2008Hurricane Gustav$16K to the City of Brookhaven for repairs
Show all 8
- 2005Hurricane Katrina5,142 households applied for aid$3.5M aid approved$201K to the City of Brookhaven for repairs
- 2003Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Floods789 households applied for aid$590K aid approved
Lincoln County has had 25 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often hurricanes and tropical storms, then severe storms.
Old photos of Brookhaven after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Brookhaven archive →Get ready for what Brookhaven 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.
- 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.
- 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 Brookhaven
Is Brookhaven at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Brookhaven has lower expected damage per building than 64% of U.S. towns: B for hazard risk, #4 of 101 in Mississippi. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (48%) and tornadoes (21%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Brookhaven flood?
Flood insurance has paid 17 claims in Brookhaven since 1983, $233K in all, or 3.0 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 52% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 3 properties have flooded more than once.
Is Brookhaven 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 Lincoln County, 16% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.2% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Brookhaven?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Brookhaven’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 Brookhaven?
By FEMA money that reached Brookhaven, Hurricane Katrina (2005): 5,142 households applied for aid, $3.5M approved, and $201K to the City of Brookhaven for repairs.
Is Brookhaven at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (48%), and Brookhaven’s rate for it is lower than 80% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Brookhaven.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Brookhaven’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.