On FEMA’s figures, Brogden faces more hazard damage per building than 82% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Brogden gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 82% of U.S. towns, #227 of 290 in North Carolina. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (60%), then hurricanes (32%). FEMA’s files show no paid flood insurance claims here.
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 Brogden 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 Brogden’s grade
River and rain flooding is 60% of the building damage FEMA expects in Brogden, and Brogden’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 78% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 32% (higher than 90% of U.S. census tracts).
C− #227 of 290 in North Carolina; higher expected damage per building than 82% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Brogden’s residents live in 2 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
The typical North Carolina town has lower expected damage than 51% of U.S. towns; within the state, Brogden has more expected damage per building than 78% of North Carolina towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $871K a year in losses across Brogden: $579K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Brogden flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Brogden. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Brogden isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Wayne County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Brogden
Disasters that paid out in Brogden itself (aid to households or repair grants to Brogden), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2018Hurricane Florence1 households applied for aid$2K aid approved
Wayne County has had 21 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often hurricanes and tropical storms, then severe storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Brogden after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Brogden archive →Get ready for what Brogden 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 Brogden
Is Brogden at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Brogden has higher expected damage per building than 82% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #227 of 290 in North Carolina. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (60%) and hurricanes (32%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Is Brogden 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 Wayne County, 16% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.3% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Brogden?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Brogden’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 Brogden?
By FEMA money that reached Brogden, Hurricane Florence (2018): 1 households applied for aid, $2K approved.
Is Brogden at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (60%), and Brogden’s rate for it is higher than 78% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Brogden.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Brogden’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.