More hazard damage per building is expected in Briarcliff than in 82% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Briarcliff gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 82% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (86%). Flood insurance has paid 3 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 Briarcliff 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
Hail
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 Briarcliff’s grade
River and rain flooding is 86% of the building damage FEMA expects in Briarcliff, and Briarcliff’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 89% of U.S. census tracts. Hail adds 6%, at a rate in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts.
C− higher expected damage per building than 82% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Briarcliff’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.5M a year in losses across Briarcliff: $1.1M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Briarcliff flood? Rarely: 3 flood claims since 1998
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Briarcliff, from FEMA’s records: 2.6 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 56% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Fall 2018 Texas Flooding1 claim · $2K
Briarcliff isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Travis County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Briarcliff
Disasters that paid out in Briarcliff itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Village of Briarcliff), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2023Severe Winter Storm$26K to the Village of Briarcliff for repairs
Travis County has had 26 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 6 FEMA wildfire suppression grants (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Travis County, 2006–2011.
Old photos of Briarcliff after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Briarcliff archive →Get ready for what Briarcliff 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.
- Park in a garage or under cover when storms are forecast.
- Stay away from windows while it falls.
- Photograph roof and car damage for your insurer.
- 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 Briarcliff
Is Briarcliff at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Briarcliff has higher expected damage per building than 82% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (86%) and hail (6%). 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 Briarcliff flood?
Flood insurance has paid 3 claims in Briarcliff since 1998, $48K in all, or 2.6 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 56% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Fall 2018 Texas Flooding (1).
Is Briarcliff 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 Travis County, 53% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 2.0% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Briarcliff?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Briarcliff’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 Briarcliff?
By FEMA money that reached Briarcliff, Severe Winter Storm (2023): $26K to the Village of Briarcliff for repairs. By flood claims, Fall 2018 Texas Flooding: 1 paid, $2K.
Is Briarcliff at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (86%), and Briarcliff’s rate for it is higher than 89% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Briarcliff.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Briarcliff’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.