Photo: Larry D. Moore · CC BY 4.0On FEMA’s figures, Brownfield faces less hazard damage per building than 89% of U.S. towns, led by river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Brownfield gets an A for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 89% of U.S. towns, #53 of 642 in Texas. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (47%), then tornadoes (19%). Flood insurance has paid 3 claims here since 1994.
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 Brownfield 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
Tornadoes
Hail
Strong wind
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 Brownfield’s grade
River and rain flooding is 47% of the building damage FEMA expects in Brownfield, and Brownfield’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 93% of U.S. census tracts. Hail adds 16%, at a rate in the top 9% of U.S. census tracts.
A #53 of 642 in Texas; lower expected damage per building than 89% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Brownfield’s residents live in 2 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, Brownfield has less expected damage per building than 92% of Texas towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $5.4M a year in losses across Brownfield: $1.1M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Brownfield flood? Rarely: 3 flood claims since 1994
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Brownfield, from FEMA’s records: 0.8 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 83% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Brownfield isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Terry County.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Brownfield
Disasters that paid out in Brownfield itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Brownfield), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2015Severe Winter Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding$127K to the City of Brownfield for repairs
- 2010Hurricane Alex$4K to the City of Brownfield for repairs
Terry County has had 10 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 Brownfield after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Brownfield archive →Get ready for what Brownfield 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Trim dead limbs over the house and driveway.
- Tie down trash cans and outdoor furniture.
- Stay clear of downed lines and call the utility.
- 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 Brownfield
Is Brownfield at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Brownfield has lower expected damage per building than 89% of U.S. towns: A for hazard risk, #53 of 642 in Texas. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (47%) and tornadoes (19%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Brownfield flood?
Flood insurance has paid 3 claims in Brownfield since 1994, $17K in all, or 0.8 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 83% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Brownfield 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 Terry County, 0.2% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Brownfield?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Brownfield’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 Brownfield?
By FEMA money that reached Brownfield, Severe Winter Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding (2015): $127K to the City of Brownfield for repairs.
Is Brownfield at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (47%), and Brownfield’s rate for it is lower than 93% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Brownfield.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Brownfield’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.