Jackson Uptown Commercial Historic District · Photo: Zzyxzaa26 · CC0More hazard damage per building is expected in Jackson than in 84% 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 84% of U.S. towns, #212 of 247 in Missouri. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (53%), then earthquakes (32%). Flood insurance has paid 33 claims here since 1982.
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 stands out about Jackson’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
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
Earthquakes
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 53% of the building damage FEMA expects in Jackson, and Jackson’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 73% of U.S. census tracts. Ice storms add 4%, at a rate in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts.
C− #212 of 247 in Missouri; higher expected damage per building than 84% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Jackson’s residents live in 5 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
The typical Missouri town has higher expected damage than 59% of U.S. towns; within the state, Jackson has more expected damage per building than 86% of Missouri towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $10.1M a year in losses across Jackson: $6.4M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Jackson flood? Sometimes: 33 flood claims since 1982
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Jackson, from FEMA’s records: 5.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 61% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The March storm2 claims · $6K
- The Mid-spring storms1 claim · $18K
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: Cape Girardeau County.10 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.
- 2025Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding3 households applied for aid$6K aid approved$16K to the City of Jackson for repairs
- 2019Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding$211K to the City of Jackson for repairs
- 2015Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding3 households applied for aid$28K aid approved
- 2011Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding42 households applied for aid$62K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2009Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding10 households applied for aid$9K aid approved
- 2009Severe Winter Storm$29K to the City of Jackson for repairs
Show all 10
- 2008Severe Storms and Flooding146 households applied for aid$112K aid approved
- 2008Severe Winter Storms and Flooding$843K to the City of Jackson for repairs
- 2003Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding167 households applied for aid$116K aid approved$399K to the City of Jackson for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2002Severe Storms, Tornadoes and Flooding$4K to the City of Jackson for repairs9 flood claims paid that year
Cape Girardeau County has had 24 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 2 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jackson | C−more damage than 84% | river and rain flooding | 33 |
| Cape Girardeau | Dmore damage than 88% | earthquakes | 737 |
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.
- Drop, cover and hold on.
- Strap tall furniture and the water heater to the wall.
- Know how to shut off the gas.
- 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 84% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #212 of 247 in Missouri. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (53%) and earthquakes (32%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Jackson flood?
Flood insurance has paid 33 claims in Jackson since 1982, $279K in all, or 5.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 61% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 5 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from March storm (2).
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 Cape Girardeau 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 Winter Storms and Flooding (2008): $843K to the City of Jackson for repairs. By flood claims, March storm: 2 paid, $6K.
Is Jackson at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (53%), and Jackson’s rate for it is higher than 73% 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.