Photo: Nyttend · Public domainOn FEMA’s figures, Jackson faces more hazard damage per building than 93% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Jackson gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 93% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (94%). Flood insurance has paid 53 claims here since 1984.
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
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 94% of the building damage FEMA expects in Jackson, and Jackson’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts.
D higher expected damage per building than 93% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Jackson’s residents live in 4 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.8M a year in losses across Jackson: $1.5M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Jackson flood? Sometimes: 53 flood claims since 1984
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Jackson, from FEMA’s records: 41.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 91% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Late July Flooding23 claims · $1.5M
- The February Kentucky Flooding2 claims · $17K
- The Storm2 claims · $21K
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: Breathitt County.14 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.
- 2025Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides242 households applied for aid$2.2M aid approved$524K to the City of Jackson for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
- 2023Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides$4K to the City of Jackson for repairs
- 2022Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides1,401 households applied for aid$13.9M aid approved$560K to the City of Jackson for repairs23 flood claims paid that year
- 2021Severe, Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides426 households applied for aid$2.2M aid approved$254K to the City of Jackson for repairs14 flood claims paid that year
- 2019Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides$56K to the City of Jackson for repairs
- 2018Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides$4K to the City of Jackson for repairs
Show all 14
- 2015Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslide145 households applied for aid$332K aid approved
- 2015Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides$101K to the City of Jackson for repairs
- 2015Severe Winter Storm, Snowstorm, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides$13K to the City of Jackson for repairs
- 2009Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Flooding and Mudslides578 households applied for aid$3.0M aid approved$134K to the City of Jackson for repairs
- 2009Severe Winter Storm and Flooding$3K to the City of Jackson for repairs
- 2004Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Flooding, and Mudslides394 households applied for aid$673K aid approved$25K to the City of Jackson for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2003Severe Storms, Flooding, Mud and Rock Slides, and Tornadoes115 households applied for aid$198K aid approved
- 2003Severe Winter Ice and Snow Storms, Heavy Rain, Flooding, Tornadoes, and Mud and72 households applied for aid$340K aid approved$76K to the City of Jackson for repairs
Breathitt County has had 41 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.
Also 2 FEMA wildfire suppression grants (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Breathitt County, 2001–2016.
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.
- 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 higher expected damage per building than 93% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (94%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Jackson flood?
Flood insurance has paid 53 claims in Jackson since 1984, $2.0M in all, or 41.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 91% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 8 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Late July Flooding (23).
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 Breathitt County, 8% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.5% 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, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides (2022): 1,401 households applied for aid, $13.9M approved, and $560K to the City of Jackson for repairs. By flood claims, Late July Flooding: 23 paid, $1.5M.
Is Jackson at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (94%), and Jackson’s rate for it is in the top 2% 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.