Edward L. Westbrooke Building · Photo: Brandonrush · CC BY-SA 4.0On FEMA’s figures, Jonesboro faces more hazard damage per building than 79% of U.S. towns, led by earthquakes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Jonesboro gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 79% of U.S. towns, #75 of 123 in Arkansas. Most of that expected damage is earthquakes (48%), then river and rain flooding (32%). Flood insurance has paid 232 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 Jonesboro’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Jonesboro faces
Each hazard’s share of the building damage FEMA expects here, and how its rate compares with the rest of the country.
Earthquakes
River and rain flooding
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 Jonesboro’s grade
Earthquakes are 48% of the building damage FEMA expects in Jonesboro, and Jonesboro’s rate of earthquakes damage is higher than 89% of U.S. census tracts. Ice storms add 8%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
C− #75 of 123 in Arkansas; higher expected damage per building than 79% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Jonesboro’s residents live in 20 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, Jonesboro has more expected damage per building than 61% of Arkansas towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $61.7M a year in losses across Jonesboro: $29.3M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Jonesboro flood? Yes: 232 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Jonesboro, from FEMA’s records: 6.6 per 1,000 homes, more than 66% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Late spring severe storms7 claims · $237K
- The March storm4 claims · $31K
- The Mid-spring storms1 claim · $18K
Jonesboro is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 8) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Craighead County.12 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Jonesboro
Disasters that paid out in Jonesboro itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Jonesboro), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2025Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding620 households applied for aid$247K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2021Severe Storms and Tornadoes40 households applied for aid$60K aid approved4 flood claims paid that year
- 2020Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Straight-line Winds$861K to the City of Jonesboro for repairs
- 2009Severe Storms and Flooding$8K to the City of Jonesboro for repairs
- 2009Severe Winter Storm$1.4M to the City of Jonesboro for repairs
- 2008Tropical Storm Ike$296K to the City of Jonesboro for repairs
Show all 12
- 2008Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding12 households applied for aid$70K aid approved$187K to the City of Jonesboro for repairs
- 2005Hurricane Katrina Evacuation$15K to the City of Jonesboro for repairs
- 2003Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding13 households applied for aid$10K aid approved3 flood claims paid that year
- 2002Severe Ice Storm$407K to the City of Jonesboro for repairs26 flood claims paid that year
- 2001Severe Storms and Flooding$35K to the City of Jonesboro for repairs
- 2001Severe Storms and Flooding$28K to the City of Jonesboro for repairs
Craighead County has had 23 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 Jonesboro after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Jonesboro archive →Jonesboro and its neighbors
Jonesboro 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jonesboro | C−more damage than 79% | earthquakes | 232 |
| Bay | Dmore damage than 86% | earthquakes | 7 |
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 Jonesboro faces
A short kit for the hazards that drive the building damage here, what to check before you buy, and where neighbors get alerts.
- Drop, cover and hold on.
- Strap tall furniture and the water heater to the wall.
- Know how to shut off the gas.
- 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.
- 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.
- Jonesboro residents get 10% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Jonesboro
Is Jonesboro at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Jonesboro has higher expected damage per building than 79% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #75 of 123 in Arkansas. Most of the expected damage is earthquakes (48%) and river and rain flooding (32%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Jonesboro flood?
Flood insurance has paid 232 claims in Jonesboro since 1978, $6.7M in all, or 6.6 per 1,000 homes, more than 66% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 35 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Late spring severe storms (7).
Is Jonesboro 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 Craighead County, 2.0% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Jonesboro?
Jonesboro is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 8), which takes 10% 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 Jonesboro?
By FEMA money that reached Jonesboro, Severe Winter Storm (2009): $1.4M to the City of Jonesboro for repairs. By flood claims, Late spring severe storms: 7 paid, $237K.
Is Jonesboro at risk from earthquakes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (48%), and Jonesboro’s rate for it is higher than 89% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Jonesboro.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Jonesboro’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.