Photo: Brandonrush · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA puts Jacksonville’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 75% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Jacksonville gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 75% of U.S. towns, #68 of 123 in Arkansas. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (54%), then earthquakes (24%). Flood insurance has paid 79 claims here since 1978.
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 stands out about Jacksonville’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
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
Earthquakes
Tornadoes
Ice storms
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 54% of the building damage FEMA expects in Jacksonville, and Jacksonville’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 61% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 12%, at a rate in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts.
C #68 of 123 in Arkansas; higher expected damage per building than 75% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Jacksonville’s residents live in 8 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
The typical Arkansas town has higher expected damage than 73% of U.S. towns; within the state, Jacksonville has more expected damage per building than 55% of Arkansas towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $13.2M a year in losses across Jacksonville: $8.0M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Jacksonville flood? Sometimes: 79 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Jacksonville, from FEMA’s records: 6.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 65% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Mid-spring storms18 claims · $329K
- The Late spring severe storms5 claims · $188K
- Hurricane Gustav4 claims · $42K
Jacksonville is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 9) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Pulaski County.11 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.
- 2025Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding214 households applied for aid$307K aid approved2 flood claims paid that year
- 2023Severe Storms and Tornadoes1,318 households applied for aid$942K aid approved$1.4M to the City of Jacksonville for repairs
- 2019Severe Storms and Flooding6 households applied for aid$660 aid approved
- 2017Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding25 households applied for aid$35K aid approved10 flood claims paid that year
- 2012Severe Winter Storm$136K to the City of Jacksonville for repairs
- 2011Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Associated Flooding263 households applied for aid$649K aid approved$86K to the City of Jacksonville for repairs19 flood claims paid that year
Show all 11
- 2009Severe Storms and Flooding$43K to the City of Jacksonville for repairs9 flood claims paid that year
- 2008Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes1 households applied for aid$748 aid approved
- 2008Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding8 households applied for aid$28K aid approved
- 2003Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding2 households applied for aid$2K aid approved3 flood claims paid that year
- 2000Severe Winter Ice Storm$145K to the City of Jacksonville for repairs
Pulaski County has had 27 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then floods. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
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 →Jacksonville and its neighbors
Jacksonville has the lowest expected damage per building of the 2 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jacksonville | Cmore damage than 75% | river and rain flooding | 79 |
| Sherwood | C−more damage than 79% | river and rain flooding | 166 |
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 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.
- Drop, cover and hold on.
- Strap tall furniture and the water heater to the wall.
- Know how to shut off the gas.
- 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.
- Ice brings down trees and lines: plan for days without power.
- Run a generator outside, far from doors and windows.
- Keep sand or salt by the door.
- 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.
- Jacksonville residents get 05% off flood insurance.
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 75% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #68 of 123 in Arkansas. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (54%) and earthquakes (24%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Jacksonville flood?
Flood insurance has paid 79 claims in Jacksonville since 1978, $1.6M in all, or 6.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 65% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 13 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Mid-spring storms (18).
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 Pulaski County, 22% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.1% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Jacksonville?
Jacksonville is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 9), which takes 05% off federal flood insurance policies for its flood-proofing work. 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 (2023): 1,318 households applied for aid, $942K approved, and $1.4M to the City of Jacksonville for repairs. By flood claims, Mid-spring storms: 18 paid, $329K.
Is Jacksonville at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (54%), and Jacksonville’s rate for it is higher than 61% 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.