Photo: John Trainor · CC BY 2.0Less hazard damage per building is expected in Jackson than in 94% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Jackson gets an A for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 94% of U.S. towns, #8 of 264 in Georgia. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (62%), then tornadoes (17%). Flood insurance has paid 2 claims here since 1994.
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 Jackson’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Jackson 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
Tornadoes
Earthquakes
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 Jackson’s grade
River and rain flooding is 62% of the building damage FEMA expects in Jackson, and Jackson’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 89% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 17% (higher than 75% of U.S. census tracts).
A #8 of 264 in Georgia; lower expected damage per building than 94% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Jackson’s residents live in 2 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
The typical Georgia town has lower expected damage than 72% of U.S. towns; within the state, Jackson has less expected damage per building than 97% of Georgia towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.2M a year in losses across Jackson: $836K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Jackson flood? Rarely: 2 flood claims since 1994
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Jackson, from FEMA’s records: 1.0 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 78% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Tropical Storm Alberto1 claim · $64K
Jackson isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Butts County.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Jackson
Disasters that paid out in Jackson itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Jackson), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Hurricane Helene126 households applied for aid$167K aid approved
- 2023Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Tornadoes413 households applied for aid$289K aid approved
- 2017Hurricane Irma$44K to the City of Jackson for repairs
- 2014Severe Winter Storm$23K to the City of Jackson for repairs
- 2004Tropical Storm Frances$11K to the City of Jackson for repairs
- 2000Severe Winter Storm$20K to the City of Jackson for repairs
Butts County has had 13 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then hurricanes and tropical storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Jackson after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Jackson archive →Get ready for what Jackson 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.
- 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.
- Drop, cover and hold on.
- Strap tall furniture and the water heater to the wall.
- Know how to shut off the gas.
- 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 Jackson
Is Jackson at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Jackson has lower expected damage per building than 94% of U.S. towns: A for hazard risk, #8 of 264 in Georgia. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (62%) and tornadoes (17%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Jackson flood?
Flood insurance has paid 2 claims in Jackson since 1994, $70K in all, or 1.0 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 78% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Tropical Storm Alberto (1).
Is Jackson 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 Butts County, 32% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.1% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Jackson?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Jackson’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 Jackson?
By FEMA money that reached Jackson, Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Tornadoes (2023): 413 households applied for aid, $289K approved. By flood claims, Tropical Storm Alberto: 1 paid, $64K.
Is Jackson at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (62%), and Jackson’s rate for it is lower than 89% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Jackson.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Jackson’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.