[2] On May 27, 1973, Brent was almost completely destroyed by an F4 tornado during an outbreak of violent weather in the Deep South, killing 5 people and injuring 56 in the area.

The tornado was on the ground for 139 miles (224 km), currently the longest track to date in Alabama history, beginning just northeast of Demopolis in Hale County and eventually dissipating at Cheaha Mountain in Clay County.

[3] Adjacent Centreville received significant damage as well as locations in nearby counties.

U.S. Route 82 passes through the northern part of town, bypassing the town center, and leads northwest 32 miles (51 km) to Tuscaloosa and southeast 73 miles (117 km) to Montgomery, the state capital.

[8] The climate in this area is characterized by hot, humid summers and generally mild to cool winters.

[9] As of the 2020 United States census, there were 2,972 people, 1,055 households, and 762 families residing in the city.

[16] The United States Postal Service operates the Brent Post Office.