Fort Brown · Photo: Pi3.124 · CC BY-SA 3.0More hazard damage per building is expected in Brownsville than in 81% of U.S. towns, mostly from hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Brownsville gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 81% of U.S. towns, #564 of 642 in Texas. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (69%), then river and rain flooding (27%). Flood insurance has paid 579 claims here since 1978.
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 Brownsville’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Brownsville faces
Each hazard’s share of the building damage FEMA expects here, and how its rate compares with the rest of the country.
Hurricanes
River and rain flooding
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 Brownsville’s grade
Hurricanes are 69% of the building damage FEMA expects in Brownsville, and Brownsville’s rate of hurricanes damage is in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts. Next is river and rain flooding at 27% (lower than 72% of U.S. census tracts).
C− #564 of 642 in Texas; higher expected damage per building than 81% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Brownsville’s residents live in 64 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, Brownsville has more expected damage per building than 88% of Texas towns.
Among the 400 U.S. cities of 100,000 or more, Brownsville has higher expected damage per building than 74% (#297 of 400). Because it is so big, its total expected yearly loss, $67.7M, is the 177th largest of those 400.
Does Brownsville flood? Yes: 579 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Brownsville, from FEMA’s records: 8.9 per 1,000 homes, more than 72% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Dolly49 claims · $333K
- Hurricane Allen39 claims · $289K
- The Fall severe storms17 claims · $461K
Brownsville isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Cameron County.10 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Brownsville
Disasters that paid out in Brownsville itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Brownsville), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2025Severe Storms and Flooding395 households applied for aid$942K aid approved3 flood claims paid that year
- 2021Severe Winter Storms773 households applied for aid$223K aid approved38 flood claims paid that year
- 2019Severe Storms and Flooding26 households applied for aid$215 aid approved2 flood claims paid that year
- 2018Severe Storms and Flooding228 households applied for aid$87K aid approved26 flood claims paid that year
- 2015Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding446 households applied for aid$328K aid approved50 flood claims paid that year
- 2010Hurricane Alex322 households applied for aid$288K aid approved$75K to the City of Brownsville for repairs35 flood claims paid that year
Show all 10
- 2008Hurricane Dolly2,705 households applied for aid$1.3M aid approved$1.7M to the City of Brownsville for repairs49 flood claims paid for it, $333K
- 2007Hurricane Dean$50K to the City of Brownsville for repairs15 flood claims paid that year
- 2002Severe Storms, Tornadoes and Flooding64 households applied for aid$129K aid approved3 flood claims paid that year
- 1999Hurricane Bret$183K to the City of Brownsville for repairs
Cameron County has had 27 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often hurricanes and tropical storms, then severe storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Brownsville after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Brownsville archive →Brownsville and its neighbors
Brownsville is 5th of the 6 graded towns here, from least expected damage per building to most. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Port Isabel | C−more damage than 78% | hurricanes | 221 |
| Los Fresnos | C−more damage than 79% | hurricanes | 5 |
| San Benito | C−more damage than 80% | hurricanes | 229 |
| Encantada-Ranchito-El Calaboz | C−more damage than 81% | hurricanes | — |
| Brownsville | C−more damage than 81% | hurricanes | 579 |
| South Point | C−more damage than 83% | hurricanes | — |
| Villa Pancho | — | 294 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Reid Hope King | — | 932 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Del Mar Heights | — | 0 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
Hazard risk = FEMA’s expected yearly building damage per dollar of building value, vs. the 21,298 U.S. towns we grade; the map is shaded by fifths of the same scale. Flood claims = paid federal flood insurance claims on record.
Get ready for what Brownsville faces
A short kit for the hazards that drive the building damage here, what to check before you buy, and where neighbors get alerts.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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 Brownsville
Is Brownsville at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Brownsville has higher expected damage per building than 81% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #564 of 642 in Texas. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (69%) and river and rain flooding (27%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Brownsville flood?
Flood insurance has paid 579 claims in Brownsville since 1978, $10.4M in all, or 8.9 per 1,000 homes, more than 72% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 62 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Dolly (49).
Is Brownsville 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 Cameron County, 37% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 9.7% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Brownsville?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Brownsville’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 Brownsville?
By FEMA money that reached Brownsville, Hurricane Dolly (2008): 2,705 households applied for aid, $1.3M approved, and $1.7M to the City of Brownsville for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Dolly: 49 paid, $333K.
Is Brownsville at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (69%), and Brownsville’s rate for it is in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Brownsville.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Brownsville’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.