Photo: Jma661 · CC BY-SA 3.0On FEMA’s figures, Tuckerman faces more hazard damage per building than 90% of U.S. towns, led by river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Tuckerman gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 90% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (46%), then earthquakes (24%). Flood insurance has paid 7 claims here since 1979.
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 Tuckerman 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
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.
What’s behind Tuckerman’s grade
River and rain flooding is 46% of the building damage FEMA expects in Tuckerman, and Tuckerman’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 78% of U.S. census tracts. Ice storms add 16%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
D higher expected damage per building than 90% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Tuckerman’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.8M a year in losses across Tuckerman: $844K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Tuckerman flood? Rarely: 7 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Tuckerman, 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 Late spring severe storms1 claim · $88K
Tuckerman 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.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Tuckerman
Disasters that paid out in Tuckerman itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Tuckerman), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2025Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding2 households applied for aid$11K aid approved
- 2025Severe Storms and Tornadoes32 households applied for aid$83K aid approved
- 2017Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding3 households applied for aid$37K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2011Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Associated Flooding10 households applied for aid$17K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2008Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding3 households applied for aid$8K aid approved
- 2003Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding3 households applied for aid$2K aid approved
Jackson County has had 29 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 Tuckerman after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Tuckerman archive →Get ready for what Tuckerman 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.
- 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 Tuckerman
Is Tuckerman at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Tuckerman has higher expected damage per building than 90% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (46%) and earthquakes (24%). 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 Tuckerman flood?
Flood insurance has paid 7 claims in Tuckerman since 1979, $108K in all, or 9.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 72% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Late spring severe storms (1).
Is Tuckerman 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, 9% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.9% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Tuckerman?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Tuckerman’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 Tuckerman?
By FEMA money that reached Tuckerman, Severe Storms and Tornadoes (2025): 32 households applied for aid, $83K approved. By flood claims, Late spring severe storms: 1 paid, $88K.
Is Tuckerman at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (46%), and Tuckerman’s rate for it is higher than 78% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Tuckerman.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Tuckerman’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.