Alfred W. Henson House · Photo: Wjhannah68 · CC BY-SA 4.0More hazard damage per building is expected in Judsonia than in 88% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Judsonia gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 88% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (59%), then earthquakes (28%). Flood insurance has paid 8 claims here since 2003.
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 Judsonia 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
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 Judsonia’s grade
River and rain flooding is 59% of the building damage FEMA expects in Judsonia, and Judsonia’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 84% of U.S. census tracts. Ice storms add 6%, at a rate in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts.
D higher expected damage per building than 88% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Judsonia’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.1M a year in losses across Judsonia: $612K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Judsonia flood? Rarely: 8 flood claims since 2003
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Judsonia, from FEMA’s records: 9.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 72% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Mid-spring storms2 claims · $19K
- The Late spring severe storms1 claim · $87K
Judsonia isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: White County.7 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Judsonia
Disasters that paid out in Judsonia itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Judsonia), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2017Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding11 households applied for aid$34K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2014Severe Storms,tornadoes, and Flooding12 households applied for aid$12K aid approved
- 2011Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Associated Flooding6 households applied for aid$14K aid approved2 flood claims paid that year
- 2008Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding3 households applied for aid$3K aid approved$4K to the City of Judsonia for repairs
- 2006Severe Storms and Tornadoes15 households applied for aid$7K aid approved
- 2003Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding7 households applied for aid$11K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
Show all 7
- 2000Severe Winter Ice Storm$4K to the City of Judsonia for repairs
White County has had 24 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 Judsonia after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Judsonia archive →Get ready for what Judsonia 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.
- 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.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Judsonia
Is Judsonia at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Judsonia has higher expected damage per building than 88% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (59%) and earthquakes (28%). The figures are for the one census tract the town shares with its neighbors. This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Judsonia flood?
Flood insurance has paid 8 claims in Judsonia since 2003, $218K in all, or 9.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 72% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 2 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Mid-spring storms (2).
Is Judsonia 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 White County, 7% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.4% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Judsonia?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Judsonia’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 Judsonia?
By FEMA money that reached Judsonia, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding (2017): 11 households applied for aid, $34K approved. By flood claims, Mid-spring storms: 2 paid, $19K.
Is Judsonia at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (59%), and Judsonia’s rate for it is higher than 84% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Judsonia.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Judsonia’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.