Photo: Adavyd · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA expects less hazard damage per building in Brenham than in 73% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Brenham gets a B+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 73% of U.S. towns, #150 of 642 in Texas. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (60%), then hurricanes (22%). Flood insurance has paid 28 claims here since 1979.
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 Brenham’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Brenham 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
Hurricanes
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 Brenham’s grade
River and rain flooding is 60% of the building damage FEMA expects in Brenham, and Brenham’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 73% of U.S. census tracts. Cold waves add 2%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
B+ #150 of 642 in Texas; lower expected damage per building than 73% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Brenham’s residents live in 5 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
The typical Texas town has higher expected damage than 50% of U.S. towns; within the state, Brenham has less expected damage per building than 77% of Texas towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $8.6M a year in losses across Brenham: $4.3M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Brenham flood? Sometimes: 28 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Brenham, 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.
- The Early summer severe storms13 claims · $340K
- The Early summer storms1 claim · $3K
Brenham isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Washington County.9 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Brenham
Disasters that paid out in Brenham itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Brenham), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding3 households applied for aid$2K aid approved
- 2021Severe Winter Storms255 households applied for aid$147K aid approved
- 2017Hurricane Harvey3 households applied for aid$6K aid approved$73K to the City of Brenham for repairs
- 2016Severe Storms and Flooding556 households applied for aid$606K aid approved$1.5M to the City of Brenham for repairs
- 2016Severe Storms and Flooding$54K to the City of Brenham for repairs
- 2008Hurricane Ike48 households applied for aid$4K aid approved$69K to the City of Brenham for repairs
Show all 9
- 2005Hurricane Rita$37K to the City of Brenham for repairs
- 2005Hurricane Rita$9K to the City of Brenham for repairs
- 2005Hurricane Katrina Evacuation$16K to the City of Brenham for repairs
Washington County has had 15 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then hurricanes and tropical storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Brenham after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Brenham archive →Get ready for what Brenham 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.
- The season runs June through November and peaks from mid-August to mid-October.
- Bring in porch furniture and anything the wind can throw.
- Fill the gas tank and charge phones before the storm arrives.
- 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 Brenham
Is Brenham at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Brenham has lower expected damage per building than 73% of U.S. towns: B+ for hazard risk, #150 of 642 in Texas. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (60%) and hurricanes (22%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Brenham flood?
Flood insurance has paid 28 claims in Brenham since 1979, $413K in all, or 3.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 51% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 3 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Early summer severe storms (13).
Is Brenham 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 Washington County, 21% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.4% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Brenham?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Brenham’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 Brenham?
By FEMA money that reached Brenham, Severe Storms and Flooding (2016): 556 households applied for aid, $606K approved, and $1.5M to the City of Brenham for repairs. By flood claims, Early summer severe storms: 13 paid, $340K.
Is Brenham at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (60%), and Brenham’s rate for it is lower than 73% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Brenham.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Brenham’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.