Photo: Jonathunder · CC BY-SA 3.0Jackson’s building-damage rate from tornadoes is in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Jackson gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 63% of U.S. towns, #204 of 274 in Minnesota. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (75%), then tornadoes (15%). Flood insurance has paid 9 claims here since 1993.
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
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 75% of the building damage FEMA expects in Jackson, and Jackson’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 70% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 15%, at a rate in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts.
C+ #204 of 274 in Minnesota; higher expected damage per building than 63% 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 Minnesota town has lower expected damage than 57% of U.S. towns; within the state, Jackson has more expected damage per building than 74% of Minnesota towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.6M a year in losses across Jackson: $1.8M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Jackson flood? Rarely: 9 flood claims since 1993
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Jackson, from FEMA’s records: 5.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 62% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The June Midwest Flooding6 claims · $229K
- The Midwest Flooding1 claim · $1K
- The Severe flooding1 claim · $3K
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.5 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.
- 2024Severe Storms and Flooding65 households applied for aid$251K aid approved$609K to the City of Jackson for repairs6 flood claims paid that year
- 2018Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding$70K to the City of Jackson for repairs
- 2014Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides$20K to the City of Jackson for repairs
- 2013Severe Winter Storm$29K to the City of Jackson for repairs
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding$11K to the City of Jackson for repairs
Jackson County has had 15 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 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 has the lowest expected damage per building of the 1 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jackson | C+more damage than 63% | river and rain flooding | 9 |
| Des Moines Township | — | 234 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Wisconsin Township | — | 170 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
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.
- 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 63% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk, #204 of 274 in Minnesota. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (75%) and tornadoes (15%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Jackson flood?
Flood insurance has paid 9 claims in Jackson since 1993, $233K in all, or 5.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 62% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from June Midwest Flooding (6).
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, 0.3% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
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 and Flooding (2024): 65 households applied for aid, $251K approved, and $609K to the City of Jackson for repairs. By flood claims, June Midwest Flooding: 6 paid, $229K.
Is Jackson at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (75%), and Jackson’s rate for it is higher than 70% 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.