Photo: Thomas R Machnitzki ([email protected]) · CC BY 3.0FEMA puts Brownsville’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 82% of U.S. towns, mostly from earthquakes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Brownsville gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 82% of U.S. towns, #159 of 177 in Tennessee. Most of that expected damage is earthquakes (66%), then river and rain flooding (24%). Flood insurance has paid 58 claims here since 1987.
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 Brownsville’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
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.
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 Brownsville’s grade
Earthquakes are 66% of the building damage FEMA expects in Brownsville, and Brownsville’s rate of earthquakes damage is in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts. Next is river and rain flooding at 24% (lower than 77% of U.S. census tracts).
C− #159 of 177 in Tennessee; higher expected damage per building than 82% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Brownsville’s residents live in 3 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
The typical Tennessee town has higher expected damage than 53% of U.S. towns; within the state, Brownsville has more expected damage per building than 90% of Tennessee towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $9.6M a year in losses across Brownsville: $4.5M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Brownsville flood? Sometimes: 58 flood claims since 1987
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Brownsville, from FEMA’s records: 13.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 79% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Late spring storms41 claims · $1.1M
- The Late winter severe storms1 claim · $6K
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: Haywood County.8 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.
- 2026Severe Winter Storm1 households applied for aid$300 aid approved
- 2023Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Tornadoes96 households applied for aid$118K aid approved2 flood claims paid that year
- 2022Severe Winter Storm$15K to the City of Brownsville for repairs
- 2014Severe Winter Storm$126K to the City of Brownsville for repairs3 flood claims paid that year
- 2010Severe Storms, Flooding, Straight-line Winds, and Tornadoes730 households applied for aid$2.0M aid approved$75K to the City of Brownsville for repairs41 flood claims paid that year
- 2009Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding$64K to the City of Brownsville for repairs
Show all 8
- 2006Severe Storms and Tornadoes26 households applied for aid$7K aid approved$14K to the City of Brownsville for repairs
- 2003Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding31 households applied for aid$7K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
Haywood County has had 15 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 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.
- 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 Brownsville
Is Brownsville at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Brownsville has higher expected damage per building than 82% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #159 of 177 in Tennessee. Most of the expected damage is earthquakes (66%) and river and rain flooding (24%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Brownsville flood?
Flood insurance has paid 58 claims in Brownsville since 1987, $1.4M in all, or 13.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 79% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 2 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Late spring storms (41).
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 Haywood County, 20% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.0% 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 Storms, Flooding, Straight-line Winds, and Tornadoes (2010): 730 households applied for aid, $2.0M approved, and $75K to the City of Brownsville for repairs. By flood claims, Late spring storms: 41 paid, $1.1M.
Is Brownsville at risk from earthquakes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (66%), and Brownsville’s rate for it is in the top 8% 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.