Photo: Nyttend · Public domainOn FEMA’s figures, Brookneal faces less hazard damage per building than 71% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Brookneal 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 (84%). Flood insurance has paid 1 claim here since 2020.
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 Brookneal 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
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 Brookneal’s grade
River and rain flooding is 84% of the building damage FEMA expects in Brookneal, and Brookneal’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 52% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 7% (higher than 70% of U.S. census tracts).
B+ lower expected damage per building than 71% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Brookneal’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $248K a year in losses across Brookneal: $187K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Brookneal flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 2020
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Brookneal, from FEMA’s records: 1.5 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 68% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Eta1 claim · $38K
Brookneal isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Campbell County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Brookneal
Disasters that paid out in Brookneal itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Brookneal), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2003Hurricane Isabel5 households applied for aid$3K aid approved
Campbell County has had 21 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 Brookneal after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Brookneal archive →Get ready for what Brookneal 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.
- 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 Brookneal
Is Brookneal at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Brookneal 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 (84%) and hurricanes (7%). 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 Brookneal flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in Brookneal since 2020, $38K in all, or 1.5 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 68% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Hurricane Eta (1).
Is Brookneal 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 Campbell County, 11% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.2% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Brookneal?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Brookneal’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 Brookneal?
By FEMA money that reached Brookneal, Hurricane Isabel (2003): 5 households applied for aid, $3K approved. By flood claims, Hurricane Eta: 1 paid, $38K.
Is Brookneal at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (84%), and Brookneal’s rate for it is higher than 52% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Brookneal.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Brookneal’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.