Photo: PhotolitherlandChris Litherland · CC BY-SA 3.0Storms, floods and disasters in Jasper
Jasper isn’t graded for hazard risk: Jasper has 453 residents; we grade towns of 1,000 or more. Flood insurance has paid 6 claims here since 1996.
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
Ice storms
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.
Does Jasper flood? Rarely: 6 flood claims since 1996
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Jasper, from FEMA’s records.
- The Late spring severe storms1 claim · $15K
- The March storm1 claim · $15K
8 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.
- 2019Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding$191K to the City of Jasper for repairs
- 2017Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding$89K to the City of Jasper for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2015Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding$21K to the City of Jasper for repairs
- 2009Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding$15K to the City of Jasper for repairs
- 2009Severe Winter Storm$9K to the City of Jasper for repairs
- 2008Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding4 households applied for aid$30K aid approved$9K to the City of Jasper for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
Show all 8
- 2004Sever Storms, Flooding and Landslides$2K to the City of Jasper for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2000Severe Winter Ice Storm$3K to the City of Jasper for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
Newton County has had 25 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then winter storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
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.
- 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.
- 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 Jasper
Does Jasper flood?
Flood insurance has paid 6 claims in Jasper since 1996, $117K in all. 2 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Late spring severe storms (1).
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.
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, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2019): $191K to the City of Jasper for repairs. By flood claims, Late spring severe storms: 1 paid, $15K.
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.