Photo: Appraiser · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA puts Jordan’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 91% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Jordan gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 91% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (80%), then strong wind (11%). Flood insurance has paid 10 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 Jordan 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
Strong wind
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 Jordan’s grade
River and rain flooding is 80% of the building damage FEMA expects in Jordan, and Jordan’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 11%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
D #273 of 274 in Minnesota; higher expected damage per building than 91% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Jordan’s residents live in 3 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, Jordan has more expected damage per building than 100% of Minnesota towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $4.8M a year in losses across Jordan: $4.0M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Jordan flood? Sometimes: 10 flood claims since 1997
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Jordan, from FEMA’s records: 4.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 57% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Jordan isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Scott County.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Jordan
Disasters that paid out in Jordan itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Jordan), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2019Severe Winter Storm, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding$32K to the City of Jordan for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
- 2014Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides$58K to the City of Jordan for repairs5 flood claims paid that year
- 2011Severe Storms and Flooding$1K to the City of Jordan for repairs
- 2010Flooding$900 to the City of Jordan for repairs
Scott County has had 12 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often floods, then severe storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Jordan after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Jordan archive →Jordan and its neighbors
Jordan is 2nd of the 2 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sand Creek Township | C−more damage than 75% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Jordan | Dmore damage than 91% | river and rain flooding | 10 |
| St. Lawrence Township | — | 612 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 Jordan 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.
- Trim dead limbs over the house and driveway.
- Tie down trash cans and outdoor furniture.
- Stay clear of downed lines and call the utility.
- 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 Jordan
Is Jordan at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Jordan has higher expected damage per building than 91% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (80%) and strong wind (11%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Jordan flood?
Flood insurance has paid 10 claims in Jordan since 1997, $41K in all, or 4.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 57% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Jordan 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 Scott County, 19% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.2% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Jordan?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Jordan’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 Jordan?
By FEMA money that reached Jordan, Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides (2014): $58K to the City of Jordan for repairs.
Is Jordan at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (80%), and Jordan’s rate for it is in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Jordan.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Jordan’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.