Palmer Brook Bridge · Photo: Magicpiano · CC BY-SA 4.0More hazard damage per building is expected in Black Brook than in 69% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Black Brook gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 69% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (92%). Flood insurance has paid 19 claims here since 1979.
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 Black Brook 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
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 Black Brook’s grade
River and rain flooding is 92% of the building damage FEMA expects in Black Brook, and Black Brook’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 84% of U.S. census tracts.
C higher expected damage per building than 69% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Black Brook’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $506K a year in losses across Black Brook: $443K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Black Brook flood? Sometimes: 19 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Black Brook, from FEMA’s records: 19.0 per 1,000 homes, more than 83% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Irene7 claims · $394K
Black Brook isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Clinton County.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Black Brook
Disasters that paid out in Black Brook itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Black Brook), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2023Severe Storms and Flooding$775K to the Town of Black Brook for repairs
- 2017Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$16K to the Town of Black Brook for repairs
- 2013Severe Storms and Flooding$16K to the Town of Black Brook for repairs
- 2011Hurricane Irene$1.1M to the Town of Black Brook for repairs7 flood claims paid for it, $394K
Clinton County has had 13 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; the 2001 World Trade Center declarations.
Old photos of Black Brook after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Black Brook archive →Black Brook and its neighbors
Black Brook is 5th of the 7 graded towns here, from least expected damage per building to most. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Franklin | Aless damage than 86% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Peru | C+more damage than 59% | river and rain flooding | 15 |
| Wilmington | Cmore damage than 67% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Saranac | Cmore damage than 69% | river and rain flooding | 7 |
| Black Brook | Cmore damage than 69% | river and rain flooding | 19 |
| Au Sable | Cmore damage than 74% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Jay | C−more damage than 81% | river and rain flooding | 166 |
| Au Sable Forks | — | 369 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Redford | — | 340 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 Black Brook 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.
- 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 Black Brook
Is Black Brook at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Black Brook has higher expected damage per building than 69% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (92%). The figures are for the one census tract the town shares with its neighbors. This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Black Brook flood?
Flood insurance has paid 19 claims in Black Brook since 1979, $540K in all, or 19.0 per 1,000 homes, more than 83% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 2 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Irene (7).
Is Black Brook 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 Clinton County, 10% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.5% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Black Brook?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Black Brook’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 Black Brook?
By FEMA money that reached Black Brook, Hurricane Irene (2011): $1.1M to the Town of Black Brook for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Irene: 7 paid, $394K.
Is Black Brook at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (92%), and Black Brook’s rate for it is higher than 84% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Black Brook.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Black Brook’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.