Mt. Zion Negro School · Photo: rossograph · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Bradford than in 86% of U.S. towns, mostly from earthquakes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Bradford gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 86% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is earthquakes (54%), then river and rain flooding (30%). Flood insurance has paid 2 claims here since 1998.
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 Bradford 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
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 Bradford’s grade
Earthquakes are 54% of the building damage FEMA expects in Bradford, and Bradford’s rate of earthquakes damage is in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 10%, at a rate in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts.
D higher expected damage per building than 86% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Bradford’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $919K a year in losses across Bradford: $338K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Bradford flood? Rarely: 2 flood claims since 1998
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Bradford, from FEMA’s records: 3.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 51% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Bradford isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Gibson County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Bradford
Disasters that paid out in Bradford itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Bradford), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2011Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Associated Flooding$6K to the Town of Bradford for repairs
- 2011Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding3 households applied for aid$14K to the Town of Bradford for repairs
- 2010Severe Storms, Flooding, Straight-line Winds, and Tornadoes7 households applied for aid$301 aid approved
- 2006Severe Storms and Tornadoes274 households applied for aid$342K aid approved$378K to the Town of Bradford for repairs
- 2003Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding1 households applied for aid$2K aid approved
Gibson County has had 21 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.
Old photos of Bradford after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Bradford archive →Get ready for what Bradford 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.
- 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 Bradford
Is Bradford at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Bradford has higher expected damage per building than 86% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is earthquakes (54%) and river and rain flooding (30%). 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 Bradford flood?
Flood insurance has paid 2 claims in Bradford since 1998, $10K in all, or 3.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 51% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Bradford 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 Gibson County, 14% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.5% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Bradford?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Bradford’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 Bradford?
By FEMA money that reached Bradford, Severe Storms and Tornadoes (2006): 274 households applied for aid, $342K approved, and $378K to the Town of Bradford for repairs.
Is Bradford at risk from earthquakes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (54%), and Bradford’s rate for it is in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Bradford.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Bradford’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.