Photo: Billy Hathorn · CC BY-SA 3.0On FEMA’s figures, Jonesboro faces less hazard damage per building than 66% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Jonesboro gets a B+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 66% of U.S. towns, #22 of 162 in Louisiana. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (57%), then tornadoes (14%). Flood insurance has paid 2 claims here since 2007.
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
Ice storms
Strong wind
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 57% of the building damage FEMA expects in Jonesboro, and Jonesboro’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 72% of U.S. census tracts. Ice storms add 10%, at a rate in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts.
B+ #22 of 162 in Louisiana; lower expected damage per building than 66% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Jonesboro’s residents live in 3 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, Jonesboro has less expected damage per building than 87% of Louisiana towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.4M a year in losses across Jonesboro: $859K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Jonesboro flood? Rarely: 2 flood claims since 2007
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Jonesboro, from FEMA’s records: 1.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 74% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Laura1 claim · $535
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: Jackson Parish.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Jonesboro
Disasters that paid out in Jonesboro itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Jonesboro), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2026Severe Winter Storm$101K to the Town of Jonesboro for repairs
- 2021Severe Winter Storms4 households applied for aid$2K aid approved
- 2020Hurricane Laura709 households applied for aid$360K aid approved1 flood claim paid for it, $535
- 2016Severe Storms and Flooding93 households applied for aid$51K aid approved$56K to the Town of Jonesboro for repairs
- 2008Hurricane Gustav1 households applied for aid$5K to the Town of Jonesboro for repairs
- 2005Hurricane Katrina1 households applied for aid$2K aid approved
Jackson Parish has had 19 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often hurricanes and tropical storms, then winter storms.
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.
- Ice brings down trees and lines: plan for days without power.
- Run a generator outside, far from doors and windows.
- Keep sand or salt by the door.
- Trim dead limbs over the house and driveway.
- Tie down trash cans and outdoor furniture.
- Stay clear of downed lines and call the utility.
- 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 66% of U.S. towns: B+ for hazard risk, #22 of 162 in Louisiana. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (57%) and tornadoes (14%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Jonesboro flood?
Flood insurance has paid 2 claims in Jonesboro since 2007, $14K in all, or 1.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 74% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Hurricane Laura (1).
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 Jackson Parish, 32% 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 Laura (2020): 709 households applied for aid, $360K approved. By flood claims, Hurricane Laura: 1 paid, $535.
Is Jonesboro at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (57%), and Jonesboro’s rate for it is lower than 72% 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.