Photo: Phillip L. Hofmeister · CC BY 3.0FEMA expects less hazard damage per building in Jackson than in 73% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Jackson gets a B+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 73% of U.S. towns, #416 of 701 in Michigan. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (62%), then tornadoes (22%). Flood insurance has paid 10 claims here since 1995.
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
Tornadoes
Strong wind
Hail
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 62% of the building damage FEMA expects in Jackson, and Jackson’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 69% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 22%, at a rate in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts.
B+ #416 of 701 in Michigan; lower expected damage per building than 73% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Jackson’s residents live in 12 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
The typical Michigan town has lower expected damage than 77% of U.S. towns; within the state, Jackson has more expected damage per building than 59% of Michigan towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $8.0M a year in losses across Jackson: $6.2M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Jackson flood? Sometimes: 10 flood claims since 1995
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Jackson, from FEMA’s records: 0.7 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 85% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
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: Jackson County.3 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.
- 2004Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding156 households applied for aid$62K aid approved
- 2000Snow$18K to the City of Jackson for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
- 1999Mi - Severe Weather 1/2 /99$36K to the City of Jackson for repairs
Jackson County has had 7 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often winter storms, then severe storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
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 →Jackson and its neighbors
Jackson is 3rd of the 4 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Leoni Township | A−less damage than 77% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Summit Township | A−less damage than 76% | river and rain flooding | 7 |
| Jackson | B+less damage than 73% | river and rain flooding | 10 |
| Blackman Township | B+less damage than 72% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Vandercook Lake | — | a Census area inside a town; graded with the town | |
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 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.
- 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.
- Trim dead limbs over the house and driveway.
- Tie down trash cans and outdoor furniture.
- Stay clear of downed lines and call the utility.
- Park in a garage or under cover when storms are forecast.
- Stay away from windows while it falls.
- Photograph roof and car damage for your insurer.
- 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 lower expected damage per building than 73% of U.S. towns: B+ for hazard risk, #416 of 701 in Michigan. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (62%) and tornadoes (22%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Jackson flood?
Flood insurance has paid 10 claims in Jackson since 1995, $88K in all, or 0.7 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 85% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 2 properties have flooded more than once.
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 Jackson County, 7% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.2% 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, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2004): 156 households applied for aid, $62K approved.
Is Jackson at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (62%), and Jackson’s rate for it is lower than 69% 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.