Photo: Nyttend · Public domainFEMA expects about as much hazard damage per building in Bremen as in the typical U.S. town, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Bremen gets a B− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 52% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (86%). Flood insurance has paid 3 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 Bremen 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 Bremen’s grade
River and rain flooding is 86% of the building damage FEMA expects in Bremen, and Bremen’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 71% of U.S. census tracts. Ice storms add 2%, at a rate in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts.
B− higher expected damage per building than 52% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Bremen’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $420K a year in losses across Bremen: $342K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Bremen flood? Rarely: 3 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Bremen, from FEMA’s records: 4.0 per 1,000 homes, more than 55% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Bremen isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Fairfield County.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Bremen
Disasters that paid out in Bremen itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Village of Bremen), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2012Severe Storms and Straight-line Winds$2K to the Village of Bremen for repairs
- 2008Severe Wind Storm Associated with Tropical Depression Ike$3K to the Village of Bremen for repairs
- 2008Record Snow and Near Record Snow$3K to the Village of Bremen for repairs
- 2004Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides7 households applied for aid$9K aid approved$47K to the Village of Bremen for repairs
Fairfield County has had 9 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 Bremen after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Bremen archive →Get ready for what Bremen 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 Bremen
Is Bremen at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Bremen has higher expected damage per building than 52% of U.S. towns: B− for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (86%) and tornadoes (5%). 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 Bremen flood?
Flood insurance has paid 3 claims in Bremen since 1979, $1K in all, or 4.0 per 1,000 homes, more than 55% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Bremen 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 Fairfield County, 18% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.8% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Bremen?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Bremen’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 Bremen?
By FEMA money that reached Bremen, Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides (2004): 7 households applied for aid, $9K approved, and $47K to the Village of Bremen for repairs.
Is Bremen at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (86%), and Bremen’s rate for it is higher than 71% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Bremen.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Bremen’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.