Photo: Larry D. Moore · CC BY 4.0FEMA expects less hazard damage per building in Jerome than almost anywhere in the U.S., mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Jerome gets an A+ for hazard risk: among the lowest expected damage per building of U.S. towns, #1 of 59 in Idaho. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (73%), then wildfire (15%). 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 Jerome 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
Wildfire
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 Jerome’s grade
River and rain flooding is 73% of the building damage FEMA expects in Jerome, and Jerome’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 90% of U.S. census tracts. Wildfire adds 15%, at a rate in the top 10% of U.S. census tracts.
A+ #1 of 59 in Idaho; among the lowest expected damage per building of U.S. towns (21,298).
Jerome’s residents live in 5 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
The typical Idaho town has higher expected damage than 52% of U.S. towns; within the state, Jerome has less expected damage per building than 100% of Idaho towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.9M a year in losses across Jerome: $1.2M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Jerome flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Jerome. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Jerome
Disasters that paid out in Jerome itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Jerome), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2017Severe Winter Storms and Flooding$47K to the City of Jerome for repairs
Jerome County has had 3 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often floods, then severe storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Jerome after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Jerome archive →Get ready for what Jerome 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.
- Clear dead leaves and brush within 5 feet of the house.
- Sign up for local alerts and know two ways out.
- Keep N95 masks for smoky days.
- 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 Jerome
Is Jerome at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Jerome has among the lowest expected damage per building of U.S. towns: A+ for hazard risk, #1 of 59 in Idaho. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (73%) and wildfire (15%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Is Jerome 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.
How much is flood insurance in Jerome?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Jerome’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 Jerome?
By FEMA money that reached Jerome, Severe Winter Storms and Flooding (2017): $47K to the City of Jerome for repairs.
Is Jerome at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (73%), and Jerome’s rate for it is lower than 90% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Jerome.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Jerome’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.