Photo: Www78 · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA expects less hazard damage per building in Jonesboro than in 88% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Jonesboro gets an A for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 88% of U.S. towns, #31 of 264 in Georgia. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (63%), then tornadoes (20%). FEMA’s files show no paid flood insurance claims here.
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 Jonesboro 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
Hail
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
River and rain flooding is 63% of the building damage FEMA expects in Jonesboro, and Jonesboro’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 81% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 20% (higher than 85% of U.S. census tracts).
A #31 of 264 in Georgia; lower expected damage per building than 88% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Jonesboro’s residents live in 7 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, Jonesboro has less expected damage per building than 89% of Georgia towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $950K a year in losses across Jonesboro: $696K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Jonesboro flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Jonesboro. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Jonesboro isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Clayton County.2 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.
- 2023Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Tornadoes5 households applied for aid$2K aid approved
- 2004Hurricane Ivan32 households applied for aid$101K aid approved
Clayton County has had 11 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often hurricanes and tropical storms, then severe storms. 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 →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.
- 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.
- Park in a garage or under cover when storms are forecast.
- Stay away from windows while it falls.
- Photograph roof and car damage for your insurer.
- 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 Jonesboro
Is Jonesboro at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Jonesboro has lower expected damage per building than 88% of U.S. towns: A for hazard risk, #31 of 264 in Georgia. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (63%) and tornadoes (20%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
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 Clayton County, 22% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.4% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Jonesboro?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Jonesboro’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 Jonesboro?
By FEMA money that reached Jonesboro, Hurricane Ivan (2004): 32 households applied for aid, $101K approved.
Is Jonesboro at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (63%), and Jonesboro’s rate for it is lower than 81% 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.