Ten Oaks · Photo: Jeffery Steading · CC BY-SA 3.0For tornadoes, Jacksonville’s building-damage rate is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Jacksonville gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 62% of U.S. towns, #75 of 187 in Alabama. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (70%), then tornadoes (22%). Flood insurance has paid 4 claims here since 1979.
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 Jacksonville 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
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 Jacksonville’s grade
River and rain flooding is 70% of the building damage FEMA expects in Jacksonville, and Jacksonville’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 67% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 22%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
C+ #75 of 187 in Alabama; higher expected damage per building than 62% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Jacksonville’s residents live in 6 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, Jacksonville has less expected damage per building than 60% of Alabama towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $6.0M a year in losses across Jacksonville: $3.9M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Jacksonville flood? Rarely: 4 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Jacksonville, from FEMA’s records: 0.7 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 84% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Jacksonville isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Calhoun County.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Jacksonville
Disasters that paid out in Jacksonville itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Jacksonville), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Tornadoes22 households applied for aid$22K aid approved
- 2020Hurricane Zeta$106K to the City of Jacksonville for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2018Severe Storms and Tornadoes644 households applied for aid$487K aid approved$4.8M to the City of Jacksonville for repairs
- 2011Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding255 households applied for aid$376K aid approved$3K to the City of Jacksonville for repairs
- 2004Hurricane Ivan5 households applied for aid$2K aid approved$30K to the City of Jacksonville for repairs
- 2003Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding10 households applied for aid$20K aid approved
Calhoun County has had 20 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then hurricanes and tropical storms.
Old photos of Jacksonville after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Jacksonville archive →Get ready for what Jacksonville 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.
- 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 Jacksonville
Is Jacksonville at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Jacksonville has higher expected damage per building than 62% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk, #75 of 187 in Alabama. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (70%) and tornadoes (22%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Jacksonville flood?
Flood insurance has paid 4 claims in Jacksonville since 1979, $4K in all, or 0.7 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 84% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Jacksonville 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 Calhoun County, 16% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.6% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Jacksonville?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Jacksonville’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 Jacksonville?
By FEMA money that reached Jacksonville, Severe Storms and Tornadoes (2018): 644 households applied for aid, $487K approved, and $4.8M to the City of Jacksonville for repairs.
Is Jacksonville at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (70%), and Jacksonville’s rate for it is higher than 67% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Jacksonville.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Jacksonville’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.