Photo: 46percent · Public domainFEMA puts Brownsville’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 76% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Brownsville gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 76% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (74%), then earthquakes (23%). Flood insurance has paid 5 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 Brownsville 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
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 Brownsville’s grade
River and rain flooding is 74% of the building damage FEMA expects in Brownsville, and Brownsville’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 80% of U.S. census tracts. Next is earthquakes at 23% (higher than 84% of U.S. census tracts).
C− higher expected damage per building than 76% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Brownsville’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $869K a year in losses across Brownsville: $740K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Brownsville flood? Rarely: 5 flood claims since 1996
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Brownsville, from FEMA’s records: 6.0 per 1,000 homes, more than 64% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Brownsville isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Linn County.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Brownsville
Disasters that paid out in Brownsville itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Brownsville), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2005Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides$16K to the City of Brownsville for repairs
- 2002Severe Winter Storm with High Winds$16K to the City of Brownsville for repairs
Linn County has had 16 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 Linn County, 2003–2020.
Old photos of Brownsville after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Brownsville archive →Get ready for what Brownsville 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.
- 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 Brownsville
Is Brownsville at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Brownsville has higher expected damage per building than 76% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (74%) and earthquakes (23%). 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 Brownsville flood?
Flood insurance has paid 5 claims in Brownsville since 1996, $42K in all, or 6.0 per 1,000 homes, more than 64% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Brownsville 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 Linn County, 19% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.1% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Brownsville?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Brownsville’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 Brownsville?
By FEMA money that reached Brownsville, Severe Winter Storm with High Winds (2002): $16K to the City of Brownsville for repairs.
Is Brownsville at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (74%), and Brownsville’s rate for it is higher than 80% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Brownsville.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Brownsville’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.