Jasper Downtown Historic District · Photo: Rudi Weikard · CC BY-SA 3.0More hazard damage per building is expected in Jasper than in 74% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Jasper gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 74% of U.S. towns, #125 of 187 in Alabama. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (69%), then tornadoes (21%). Flood insurance has paid 5 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 Jasper 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
Earthquakes
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 Jasper’s grade
River and rain flooding is 69% of the building damage FEMA expects in Jasper, and Jasper’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 75% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 21%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
C #125 of 187 in Alabama; higher expected damage per building than 74% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Jasper’s residents live in 7 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, Jasper has more expected damage per building than 67% of Alabama towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $8.9M a year in losses across Jasper: $6.7M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Jasper flood? Rarely: 5 flood claims since 1980
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Jasper, from FEMA’s records: 0.8 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 82% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Jasper isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Walker County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Jasper
Disasters that paid out in Jasper itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Jasper), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2011Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding922 households applied for aid$473K aid approved
- 2010Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding5 households applied for aid$250 aid approved
- 2004Hurricane Ivan66 households applied for aid$109K aid approved
- 2003Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding31 households applied for aid$32K aid approved
- 2002Severe Storms and Tornadoes154 households applied for aid$524K aid approved
Walker County has had 21 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then hurricanes and tropical storms.
Also 1 FEMA wildfire suppression grant (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Walker County, 1998–1998.
Old photos of Jasper after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Jasper archive →Get ready for what Jasper 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.
- Drop, cover and hold on.
- Strap tall furniture and the water heater to the wall.
- Know how to shut off the gas.
- 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 Jasper
Is Jasper at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Jasper has higher expected damage per building than 74% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #125 of 187 in Alabama. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (69%) and tornadoes (21%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Jasper flood?
Flood insurance has paid 5 claims in Jasper since 1980, $109K in all, or 0.8 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 82% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Jasper 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 Walker County, 10% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.2% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Jasper?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Jasper’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 Jasper?
By FEMA money that reached Jasper, Severe Storms and Tornadoes (2002): 154 households applied for aid, $524K approved.
Is Jasper at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (69%), and Jasper’s rate for it is higher than 75% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Jasper.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Jasper’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.