Photo: Billy Hathorn · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA expects less hazard damage per building in Brownsboro than in 71% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Brownsboro gets a B+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 71% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (75%). Flood insurance has paid 1 claim here since 2022.
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 Brownsboro 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
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 Brownsboro’s grade
River and rain flooding is 75% of the building damage FEMA expects in Brownsboro, and Brownsboro’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 56% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 7% (higher than 60% of U.S. census tracts).
B+ lower expected damage per building than 71% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Brownsboro’s residents live in 2 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $532K a year in losses across Brownsboro: $188K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Brownsboro flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 2022
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Brownsboro, from FEMA’s records: 1.7 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 66% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Brownsboro isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Henderson County.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Brownsboro
Disasters that paid out in Brownsboro itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Brownsboro), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding103 households applied for aid$556K aid approved
- 2021Severe Winter Storms40 households applied for aid$26K aid approved
- 2015Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds and Flooding8 households applied for aid$3K aid approved$37K to the City of Brownsboro for repairs
- 2007Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding6 households applied for aid$38K to the City of Brownsboro for repairs
Henderson County has had 19 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.
Old photos of Brownsboro after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Brownsboro archive →Get ready for what Brownsboro 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.
- 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 Brownsboro
Is Brownsboro at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Brownsboro has lower expected damage per building than 71% of U.S. towns: B+ for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (75%) and tornadoes (7%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Brownsboro flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in Brownsboro since 2022, $140K in all, or 1.7 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 66% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Brownsboro 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 Henderson County, 10% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.6% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Brownsboro?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Brownsboro’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 Brownsboro?
By FEMA money that reached Brownsboro, Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2024): 103 households applied for aid, $556K approved.
Is Brownsboro at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (75%), and Brownsboro’s rate for it is lower than 56% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Brownsboro.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Brownsboro’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.