Photo: User:Dailynetworks · Public domainMore hazard damage per building is expected in Jacksonville than in 74% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Jacksonville gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 74% of U.S. towns, #581 of 768 in Illinois. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (76%). Flood insurance has paid 33 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 Jacksonville 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 Jacksonville’s grade
River and rain flooding is 76% of the building damage FEMA expects in Jacksonville, and Jacksonville’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 79% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 4%, at a rate in the top 7% of U.S. census tracts.
C #581 of 768 in Illinois; higher expected damage per building than 74% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Jacksonville’s residents live in 6 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
The typical Illinois town has higher expected damage than 54% of U.S. towns; within the state, Jacksonville has more expected damage per building than 76% of Illinois towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $13.4M a year in losses across Jacksonville: $5.7M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Jacksonville flood? Sometimes: 33 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Jacksonville, from FEMA’s records: 4.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 56% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Ike1 claim · $10K
Jacksonville isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Morgan County.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Jacksonville
Disasters that paid out in Jacksonville itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Jacksonville), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2023Severe Storms and Flooding$231K to the City of Jacksonville for repairs
- 2019Severe Storms and Flooding$29K to the City of Jacksonville for repairs
- 2011Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$19K to the City of Jacksonville for repairs4 flood claims paid that year
- 2006Tornadoes and Severe Storms5 households applied for aid$6K aid approved
- 2002Severe Storms, Tornadoes and Flooding$6K to the City of Jacksonville for repairs
- 1999Il-winter Storm 1/1/99$23K to the City of Jacksonville for repairs
Morgan County has had 14 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 Jacksonville after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Jacksonville archive →Jacksonville and its neighbors
Jacksonville is 2nd of the 2 graded towns here, from least expected damage per building to most. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| South Jacksonville | C+more damage than 59% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Jacksonville | Cmore damage than 74% | river and rain flooding | 33 |
Hazard risk = FEMA’s expected yearly building damage per dollar of building value, vs. the 21,298 U.S. towns we grade; the map is shaded by fifths of the same scale. Flood claims = paid federal flood insurance claims on record.
Get ready for what Jacksonville 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 Jacksonville
Is Jacksonville at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Jacksonville has higher expected damage per building than 74% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #581 of 768 in Illinois. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (76%) and tornadoes (8%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Jacksonville flood?
Flood insurance has paid 33 claims in Jacksonville since 1979, $930K in all, or 4.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 56% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 2 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Ike (1).
Is Jacksonville 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 Morgan County, 12% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.6% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Jacksonville?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Jacksonville’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 Jacksonville?
By FEMA money that reached Jacksonville, Severe Storms and Flooding (2023): $231K to the City of Jacksonville for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Ike: 1 paid, $10K.
Is Jacksonville at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (76%), and Jacksonville’s rate for it is higher than 79% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Jacksonville.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Jacksonville’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.