Photo: Doug Kerr · CC BY-SA 2.0FEMA puts Brockway’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 90% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Brockway gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 90% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (96%). Flood insurance has paid 4 claims here since 1989.
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 Brockway 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
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 Brockway’s grade
River and rain flooding is 96% of the building damage FEMA expects in Brockway, and Brockway’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts.
D higher expected damage per building than 90% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Brockway’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.4M a year in losses across Brockway: $1.3M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Brockway flood? Rarely: 4 flood claims since 1989
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Brockway, from FEMA’s records: 3.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 53% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Brockway isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Jefferson County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Brockway
Disasters that paid out in Brockway itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Borough of Brockway), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2004Tropical Depression Ivan10 households applied for aid$25K aid approved
Jefferson County has had 11 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often floods, then severe storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Brockway after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Brockway archive →Get ready for what Brockway 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.
- 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 Brockway
Is Brockway at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Brockway has higher expected damage per building than 90% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (96%). 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 Brockway flood?
Flood insurance has paid 4 claims in Brockway since 1989, $6K in all, or 3.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 53% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Brockway 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 Jefferson County, 10% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.4% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Brockway?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Brockway’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 Brockway?
By FEMA money that reached Brockway, Tropical Depression Ivan (2004): 10 households applied for aid, $25K approved.
Is Brockway at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (96%), and Brockway’s rate for it is in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Brockway.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Brockway’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.