Centenary College · Public domainMore hazard damage per building is expected in Jackson than in 68% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Jackson gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 68% of U.S. towns, #52 of 162 in Louisiana. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (61%), then hurricanes (30%). Flood insurance has paid 2 claims here since 1997.
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 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
Hurricanes
Tornadoes
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 61% of the building damage FEMA expects in Jackson, and Jackson’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 62% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 30% (higher than 88% of U.S. census tracts).
C #52 of 162 in Louisiana; higher expected damage per building than 68% 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 Louisiana town has higher expected damage than 92% of U.S. towns; within the state, Jackson has less expected damage per building than 68% of Louisiana towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.4M a year in losses across Jackson: $1.4M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Jackson flood? Rarely: 2 flood claims since 1997
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Jackson, from FEMA’s records: 2.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 58% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Gustav1 claim · $61K
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: East Feliciana Parish.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Jackson
Disasters that paid out in Jackson itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Jackson), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Hurricane Ida747 households applied for aid$605K aid approved
- 2020Hurricane Laura79 households applied for aid$11K aid approved
- 2016Severe Storms and Flooding201 households applied for aid$266K aid approved$42K to the Town of Jackson for repairs
- 2012Hurricane Isaac78 households applied for aid$51K aid approved$103K to the Town of Jackson for repairs
- 2008Hurricane Gustav492 households applied for aid$513K aid approved$99K to the Town of Jackson for repairs1 flood claim paid for it, $61K
- 2005Hurricane Katrina636 households applied for aid$691K aid approved$9K to the Town of Jackson for repairs
East Feliciana Parish has had 29 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often hurricanes and tropical storms, then floods.
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.
- The season runs June through November and peaks from mid-August to mid-October.
- Bring in porch furniture and anything the wind can throw.
- Fill the gas tank and charge phones before the storm arrives.
- 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.
- 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 68% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #52 of 162 in Louisiana. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (61%) and hurricanes (30%). 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 1997, $85K in all, or 2.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 58% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Hurricane Gustav (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 East Feliciana Parish, 23% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.7% 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, Hurricane Katrina (2005): 636 households applied for aid, $691K approved, and $9K to the Town of Jackson for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Gustav: 1 paid, $61K.
Is Jackson at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (61%), and Jackson’s rate for it is higher than 62% 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.