Photo: Nick81aku (Uploads) · Public domainFEMA expects less hazard damage per building in Brookshire than in 84% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Brookshire gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 84% of U.S. towns, #82 of 642 in Texas. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (58%), then hurricanes (20%). Flood insurance has paid 52 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 stands out about Brookshire’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Brookshire 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 Brookshire’s grade
River and rain flooding is 58% of the building damage FEMA expects in Brookshire, and Brookshire’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 83% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 20% (higher than 83% of U.S. census tracts).
A− #82 of 642 in Texas; lower expected damage per building than 84% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Brookshire’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
The typical Texas town has higher expected damage than 50% of U.S. towns; within the state, Brookshire has less expected damage per building than 87% of Texas towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.3M a year in losses across Brookshire: $917K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Brookshire flood? Sometimes: 52 flood claims since 1998
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Brookshire, from FEMA’s records: 26.9 per 1,000 homes, more than 87% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Harvey31 claims · $1.6M
- The Spring severe storms13 claims · $592K
Brookshire isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Waller County.12 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Brookshire
Disasters that paid out in Brookshire itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Brookshire), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Hurricane Beryl929 households applied for aid$619K aid approved
- 2024Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding213 households applied for aid$281K aid approved
- 2021Severe Winter Storms324 households applied for aid$132K aid approved
- 2017Hurricane Harvey1,008 households applied for aid$2.0M aid approved$139K to the City of Brookshire for repairs31 flood claims paid for it, $1.6M
- 2016Severe Storms and Flooding113 households applied for aid$841K aid approved
- 2016Severe Storms and Flooding376 households applied for aid$1.6M aid approved$117K to the City of Brookshire for repairs
Show all 12
- 2008Hurricane Ike109 households applied for aid$21K aid approved$38K to the City of Brookshire for repairs
- 2005Hurricane Rita$15K to the City of Brookshire for repairs
- 2005Hurricane Rita$6K to the City of Brookshire for repairs
- 2005Hurricane Katrina Evacuation$20K to the City of Brookshire for repairs
- 2002Severe Storms, Tornadoes and Flooding1 households applied for aid$2K aid approved
- 1998Tx-flooding 10/18/98$20K to the City of Brookshire for repairs6 flood claims paid that year
Waller County has had 22 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.
Also 1 FEMA wildfire suppression grant (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Waller County, 2011–2011.
Old photos of Brookshire after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Brookshire archive →Get ready for what Brookshire 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 Brookshire
Is Brookshire at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Brookshire has lower expected damage per building than 84% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk, #82 of 642 in Texas. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (58%) and hurricanes (20%). 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 Brookshire flood?
Flood insurance has paid 52 claims in Brookshire since 1998, $2.5M in all, or 26.9 per 1,000 homes, more than 87% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 10 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Harvey (31).
Is Brookshire 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 Waller County, 31% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 11.0% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Brookshire?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Brookshire’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 Brookshire?
By FEMA money that reached Brookshire, Hurricane Harvey (2017): 1,008 households applied for aid, $2.0M approved, and $139K to the City of Brookshire for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Harvey: 31 paid, $1.6M.
Is Brookshire at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (58%), and Brookshire’s rate for it is lower than 83% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Brookshire.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Brookshire’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.