Less hazard damage per building is expected in Brunswick than in 94% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Brunswick gets an A for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 94% of U.S. towns, #141 of 993 in Ohio. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (74%), then tornadoes (13%). Flood insurance has paid 30 claims here since 1978.
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 Brunswick’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Brunswick 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 Brunswick’s grade
River and rain flooding is 74% of the building damage FEMA expects in Brunswick, and Brunswick’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 82% of U.S. census tracts. Ice storms add 4%, at a rate in the top 10% of U.S. census tracts.
A #141 of 993 in Ohio; lower expected damage per building than 94% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Brunswick’s residents live in 10 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, Brunswick has less expected damage per building than 86% of Ohio towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $5.5M a year in losses across Brunswick: $4.3M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Brunswick flood? Sometimes: 30 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Brunswick, from FEMA’s records: 2.0 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 61% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Brunswick isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Medina County.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Brunswick
Disasters that paid out in Brunswick itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Brunswick), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2004Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides$20K to the City of Brunswick for repairs
- 2004Severe Storms and Flooding233 households applied for aid$202K aid approved$41K to the City of Brunswick for repairs
- 2003Tornadoes, Flooding, Severe Storms, and High Winds19 households applied for aid$24K aid approved$4K to the City of Brunswick for repairs
- 2002Severe Storms and Tornadoes2 households applied for aid$6K aid approved
Medina County has had 11 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 Brunswick after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Brunswick archive →Brunswick and its neighbors
Brunswick has the lowest expected damage per building of the 2 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brunswick | Aless damage than 94% | river and rain flooding | 30 |
| Brunswick Hills Township | Aless damage than 92% | river and rain flooding | 18 |
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 Brunswick 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 Brunswick
Is Brunswick at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Brunswick has lower expected damage per building than 94% of U.S. towns: A for hazard risk, #141 of 993 in Ohio. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (74%) and tornadoes (13%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Brunswick flood?
Flood insurance has paid 30 claims in Brunswick since 1978, $258K in all, or 2.0 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 61% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 2 properties have flooded more than once.
Is Brunswick 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 Medina County, 26% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.3% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Brunswick?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Brunswick’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 Brunswick?
By FEMA money that reached Brunswick, Severe Storms and Flooding (2004): 233 households applied for aid, $202K approved, and $41K to the City of Brunswick for repairs.
Is Brunswick at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (74%), and Brunswick’s rate for it is lower than 82% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Brunswick.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Brunswick’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.