Photo: formulanone from Huntsville, United States · CC BY-SA 2.0On FEMA’s figures, Jackson faces more hazard damage per building than 90% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Jackson gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 90% of U.S. towns, #76 of 101 in Mississippi. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (65%), then hail (13%). Flood insurance has paid 3,342 claims here since 1978.
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
Hail
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 65% of the building damage FEMA expects in Jackson, and Jackson’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is in the top 10% of U.S. census tracts. Hail adds 13%, at a rate in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts.
D #76 of 101 in Mississippi; higher expected damage per building than 90% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Jackson’s residents live in 56 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
The typical Mississippi town has higher expected damage than 64% of U.S. towns; within the state, Jackson has more expected damage per building than 75% of Mississippi towns.
Among the 400 U.S. cities of 100,000 or more, Jackson has higher expected damage per building than 83% (#331 of 400). Because it is so big, its total expected yearly loss, $89.4M, is the 134th largest of those 400.
Does Jackson flood? Yes: 3,342 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Jackson, from FEMA’s records: 44.6 per 1,000 homes, more than 92% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Katrina10 claims · $302K
- The Late winter severe storms6 claims · $86K
- Hurricane Isaac3 claims · $40K
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: Hinds 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.
- 2026Severe Winter Storm45 households applied for aid$9K aid approved
- 2024Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding9,924 households applied for aid$17.6M aid approved6 flood claims paid that year
- 2021Severe Winter Storms$168K to the City of Jackson for repairs14 flood claims paid that year
- 2020Severe Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides$92K to the City of Jackson for repairs155 flood claims paid that year
- 2012Hurricane Isaac269 households applied for aid$148K aid approved$43K to the City of Jackson for repairs3 flood claims paid for it, $40K
- 2011Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Associated Flooding621 households applied for aid$471K aid approved$474K to the City of Jackson for repairs49 flood claims paid that year
Show all 10
- 2008Hurricane Gustav$26K to the City of Jackson for repairs
- 2008Severe Storms and Tornadoes832 households applied for aid$498K aid approved$3.7M to the City of Jackson for repairs
- 2005Hurricane Katrina33,967 households applied for aid$19.0M aid approved$6.6M to the City of Jackson for repairs10 flood claims paid for it, $302K
- 2003Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Floods798 households applied for aid$2.3M aid approved$375K to the City of Jackson for repairs357 flood claims paid that year
Its 2 counties have had 26 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then hurricanes and tropical storms.
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 7th of the 7 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pearl | Cmore damage than 68% | river and rain flooding | 183 |
| Clinton | Cmore damage than 69% | river and rain flooding | 54 |
| Ridgeland | Cmore damage than 71% | river and rain flooding | 48 |
| Flowood | Cmore damage than 72% | river and rain flooding | 176 |
| Richland | Cmore damage than 73% | river and rain flooding | 65 |
| Byram | C−more damage than 75% | river and rain flooding | 7 |
| Jackson | Dmore damage than 90% | river and rain flooding | 3,342 |
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.
- 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.
- 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 90% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk, #76 of 101 in Mississippi. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (65%) and hail (13%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Jackson flood?
Flood insurance has paid 3,342 claims in Jackson since 1978, $64.4M in all, or 44.6 per 1,000 homes, more than 92% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 464 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Katrina (10).
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 Hinds County, 25% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 2.8% 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, Hurricane Katrina (2005): 33,967 households applied for aid, $19.0M approved, and $6.6M to the City of Jackson for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Katrina: 10 paid, $302K.
Is Jackson at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (65%), and Jackson’s rate for it is in the top 10% 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.