Photo: Carol M. Highsmith · Public domainFEMA puts Jackson’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 87% of U.S. towns, mostly from hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Jackson gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 87% of U.S. towns, #160 of 187 in Alabama. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (62%), then river and rain flooding (28%). Flood insurance has paid 2 claims here since 1980.
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 Jackson 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
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 Jackson’s grade
Hurricanes are 62% of the building damage FEMA expects in Jackson, and Jackson’s rate of hurricanes damage is in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts. Next is river and rain flooding at 28% (lower than 64% of U.S. census tracts).
D #160 of 187 in Alabama; higher expected damage per building than 87% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Jackson’s residents live in 2 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
The typical Alabama town has higher expected damage than 66% of U.S. towns; within the state, Jackson has more expected damage per building than 85% of Alabama towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $3.2M a year in losses across Jackson: $2.5M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Jackson flood? Rarely: 2 flood claims since 1980
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Jackson, from FEMA’s records: 1.0 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 79% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Jackson isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Clarke County.9 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Jackson
Disasters that paid out in Jackson itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Jackson), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2020Hurricane Zeta800 households applied for aid$1.5M aid approved$311K to the City of Jackson for repairs
- 2020Hurricane Sally4 households applied for aid$3K aid approved
- 2011Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding391 households applied for aid$433K aid approved
- 2009Severe Storms and Flooding$6K to the City of Jackson for repairs
- 2009Severe Storms, Flooding, Tornadoes and Straight-line$42K to the City of Jackson for repairs
- 2005Hurricane Katrina873 households applied for aid$886K aid approved$103K to the City of Jackson for repairs
Show all 9
- 2005Hurricane Dennis$50K to the City of Jackson for repairs
- 2004Hurricane Ivan1,717 households applied for aid$2.8M aid approved$739K to the City of Jackson for repairs
- 2003Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding588 households applied for aid$811K aid approved
Clarke County has had 22 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often hurricanes and tropical storms, then severe storms.
Old photos of Jackson after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Jackson archive →Get ready for what Jackson 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.
- 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 Jackson
Is Jackson at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Jackson has higher expected damage per building than 87% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk, #160 of 187 in Alabama. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (62%) and river and rain flooding (28%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Jackson flood?
Flood insurance has paid 2 claims in Jackson since 1980, $2K in all, or 1.0 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 79% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Jackson 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 Clarke County, 20% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.3% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Jackson?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Jackson’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 Jackson?
By FEMA money that reached Jackson, Hurricane Ivan (2004): 1,717 households applied for aid, $2.8M approved, and $739K to the City of Jackson for repairs.
Is Jackson at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (62%), and Jackson’s rate for it is in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Jackson.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Jackson’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.