Photo: Fredlyfish4 · CC BY-SA 4.0On FEMA’s figures, Bruce faces about as much hazard damage per building as the typical U.S. town, led by river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Bruce gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 56% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (49%), then earthquakes (28%). Flood insurance has paid 12 claims here since 1991.
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 Bruce 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
Earthquakes
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 Bruce’s grade
River and rain flooding is 49% of the building damage FEMA expects in Bruce, and Bruce’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 63% of U.S. census tracts. Next is earthquakes at 28% (higher than 83% of U.S. census tracts).
C+ higher expected damage per building than 56% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Bruce’s residents live in 2 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $970K a year in losses across Bruce: $610K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Bruce flood? Sometimes: 12 flood claims since 1991
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Bruce, from FEMA’s records: 12.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 77% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Bruce isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Calhoun County.10 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Bruce
Disasters that paid out in Bruce itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Bruce), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2026Severe Winter Storm149 households applied for aid$313K aid approved$22K to the Town of Bruce for repairs
- 2023Flooding$18K to the Town of Bruce for repairs
- 2019Severe Winter Storm, Snowstorm, and Flooding$62K to the Town of Bruce for repairs
- 2019Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding$28K to the Town of Bruce for repairs
- 2017Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding$8K to the Town of Bruce for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2011Flooding$29K to the Town of Bruce for repairs
Show all 10
- 2010Flooding$81K to the Town of Bruce for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2009Severe Storms and Flooding$24K to the Town of Bruce for repairs
- 2007Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding$9K to the Town of Bruce for repairs
- 2001Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Ice Jams$7K to the Town of Bruce for repairs
Calhoun County has had 18 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then hurricanes and tropical storms.
Old photos of Bruce after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Bruce archive →Get ready for what Bruce 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.
- Drop, cover and hold on.
- Strap tall furniture and the water heater to the wall.
- Know how to shut off the gas.
- 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 Bruce
Is Bruce at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Bruce has higher expected damage per building than 56% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (49%) and earthquakes (28%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Bruce flood?
Flood insurance has paid 12 claims in Bruce since 1991, $517K in all, or 12.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 77% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 2 properties have flooded more than once.
Is Bruce 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 Calhoun County, 8% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.6% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Bruce?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Bruce’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 Bruce?
By FEMA money that reached Bruce, Severe Winter Storm (2026): 149 households applied for aid, $313K approved, and $22K to the Town of Bruce for repairs.
Is Bruce at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (49%), and Bruce’s rate for it is lower than 63% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Bruce.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Bruce’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.