Natural Disaster Risk in Brookhaven

Natural Hazard Profile: Brookhaven, Pennsylvania

Brookhaven is a city of approximately 16,464 residents in Delaware County, along the mid-Atlantic coast. The area experiences cold winters, warm summers, and four distinct seasons, with nor'easter exposure and spring river flooding shaping the pattern of natural hazards that residents encounter. Understanding the local risk profile is essential for anyone living in, moving to, or owning property in Brookhaven.

FEMA rates Brookhaven's composite natural disaster risk at 7.8 out of 10 — high risk. Severe winter storms top the local risk profile, bringing blizzard conditions, ice storms, and extreme cold that pose health risks and cause extensive property and infrastructure damage. Residents should also account for heat and wind risk in their preparedness planning.

Brookhaven's risk score, considerably above the 5.9/10 state average and well above the U.S. national average of 4.5/10. Of the 18 hazard categories tracked by FEMA for Delaware County, the highest-scoring are winter, heat, and wind. These scores reflect county-level data and represent the baseline risk that all communities in the county share.

With a high natural disaster risk rating, Brookhaven residents benefit from taking preparedness seriously. Reviewing insurance coverage for winter and secondary hazards, registering for emergency alerts, and maintaining a household emergency kit are practical steps that can significantly reduce impact during a major event.