Photo: Logan Rickert · CC BY 2.0FEMA puts Brookville’s expected hazard damage per building below that of 89% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Brookville gets an A for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 89% of U.S. towns, #289 of 993 in Ohio. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (77%). Flood insurance has paid 13 claims here since 2004.
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 Brookville’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Brookville 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 Brookville’s grade
River and rain flooding is 77% of the building damage FEMA expects in Brookville, and Brookville’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 72% of U.S. census tracts. Next is earthquakes at 8% (higher than 64% of U.S. census tracts).
A #289 of 993 in Ohio; lower expected damage per building than 89% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Brookville’s residents live in 2 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
The typical Ohio town has lower expected damage than 79% of U.S. towns; within the state, Brookville has less expected damage per building than 71% of Ohio towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.3M a year in losses across Brookville: $979K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Brookville flood? Sometimes: 13 flood claims since 2004
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Brookville, from FEMA’s records: 4.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 59% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The March storm1 claim · $4K
Brookville isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Montgomery County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Brookville
Disasters that paid out in Brookville itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Brookville), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2019Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslide148 households applied for aid$102K aid approved2 flood claims paid that year
Montgomery County has had 10 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 Brookville after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Brookville archive →Get ready for what Brookville 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 Brookville
Is Brookville at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Brookville has lower expected damage per building than 89% of U.S. towns: A for hazard risk, #289 of 993 in Ohio. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (77%) and earthquakes (8%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Brookville flood?
Flood insurance has paid 13 claims in Brookville since 2004, $315K in all, or 4.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 59% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from March storm (1).
Is Brookville 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 Montgomery County, 25% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.5% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Brookville?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Brookville’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 Brookville?
By FEMA money that reached Brookville, Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslide (2019): 148 households applied for aid, $102K approved. By flood claims, March storm: 1 paid, $4K.
Is Brookville at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (77%), and Brookville’s rate for it is lower than 72% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Brookville.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Brookville’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.