Rosecrans, Gen. William, Headquarters · Photo: Nettieintheboro · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Stevenson than in 80% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Stevenson gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (74%), then tornadoes (14%). Flood insurance has paid 9 claims here since 1982.
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 Stevenson 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 Stevenson’s grade
River and rain flooding is 74% of the building damage FEMA expects in Stevenson, and Stevenson’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 83% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 14%, at a rate in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts.
C− higher expected damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Stevenson’s residents live in 2 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.2M a year in losses across Stevenson: $781K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Stevenson flood? Rarely: 9 flood claims since 1982
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Stevenson, from FEMA’s records: 8.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 71% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Stevenson isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Jackson County.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Stevenson
Disasters that paid out in Stevenson itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Stevenson), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2011Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding90 households applied for aid$63K aid approved
- 2003Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding34 households applied for aid$154K aid approved2 flood claims paid that year
Jackson County has had 23 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then hurricanes and tropical storms.
Also 2 FEMA wildfire suppression grants (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Jackson County, 1999–2001.
Old photos of Stevenson after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Stevenson archive →Stevenson and its neighbors
Stevenson is 2nd of the 2 graded towns here, from least expected damage per building to most. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bridgeport | C+more damage than 56% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Stevenson | C−more damage than 80% | river and rain flooding | 9 |
Hazard risk = FEMA’s expected yearly building damage per dollar of building value, vs. the 21,298 U.S. towns we grade; the map is shaded by fifths of the same scale. Flood claims = paid federal flood insurance claims on record.
Get ready for what Stevenson 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 Stevenson
Is Stevenson at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Stevenson has higher expected damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (74%) and tornadoes (14%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Stevenson flood?
Flood insurance has paid 9 claims in Stevenson since 1982, $163K in all, or 8.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 71% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 2 properties have flooded more than once.
Is Stevenson 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 Jackson County, 11% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.5% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Stevenson?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Stevenson’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 Stevenson?
By FEMA money that reached Stevenson, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2003): 34 households applied for aid, $154K approved.
Is Stevenson at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (74%), and Stevenson’s rate for it is higher than 83% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Stevenson.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Stevenson’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.