Photo: Davist898 · CC BY-SA 4.0More hazard damage per building is expected in Brookings than in 94% of U.S. towns, mostly from earthquakes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Brookings gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 94% of U.S. towns, #135 of 142 in Oregon. Most of that expected damage is earthquakes (74%), then river and rain flooding (18%). Flood insurance has paid 4 claims here since 1996.
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 Brookings faces
Each hazard’s share of the building damage FEMA expects here, and how its rate compares with the rest of the country.
Earthquakes
River and rain flooding
Wildfire
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 Brookings’ grade
Earthquakes are 74% of the building damage FEMA expects in Brookings, and Brookings’ rate of earthquakes damage is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts. Wildfire adds 6%, at a rate in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts.
D #135 of 142 in Oregon; higher expected damage per building than 94% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Brookings’ residents live in 2 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
The typical Oregon town has higher expected damage than 69% of U.S. towns; within the state, Brookings has more expected damage per building than 95% of Oregon towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $7.8M a year in losses across Brookings: $5.3M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Brookings flood? Rarely: 4 flood claims since 1996
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Brookings, from FEMA’s records: 1.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 74% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Brookings isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Curry County.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Brookings
Disasters that paid out in Brookings itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Brookings), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2015Severe Winter Storms, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides$51K to the City of Brookings for repairs
- 2011Tsunami Wave Surge$18K to the City of Brookings for repairs
- 2005Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides$23K to the City of Brookings for repairs
Curry County has had 11 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then floods. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Also 2 FEMA wildfire suppression grants (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Curry County, 2002–2017.
Old photos of Brookings after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Brookings archive →Get ready for what Brookings faces
A short kit for the hazards that drive the building damage here, what to check before you buy, and where neighbors get alerts.
- Drop, cover and hold on.
- Strap tall furniture and the water heater to the wall.
- Know how to shut off the gas.
- 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.
- Clear dead leaves and brush within 5 feet of the house.
- Sign up for local alerts and know two ways out.
- Keep N95 masks for smoky days.
- 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 Brookings
Is Brookings at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Brookings has higher expected damage per building than 94% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk, #135 of 142 in Oregon. Most of the expected damage is earthquakes (74%) and river and rain flooding (18%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Brookings flood?
Flood insurance has paid 4 claims in Brookings since 1996, $26K in all, or 1.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 74% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Brookings 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 Curry County, 18% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.1% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Brookings?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Brookings’ 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 Brookings?
By FEMA money that reached Brookings, Severe Winter Storms, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides (2015): $51K to the City of Brookings for repairs.
Is Brookings at risk from earthquakes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (74%), and Brookings’ rate for it is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Brookings.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Brookings’ 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.