Sharon’s building-damage rate from tornadoes is in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Sharon gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 58% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (52%), then hurricanes (21%). Flood insurance has paid 1 claim here since 2018.
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 Sharon 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
Hurricanes
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 Sharon’s grade
River and rain flooding is 52% of the building damage FEMA expects in Sharon, and Sharon’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 58% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 17%, at a rate in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts.
C+ higher expected damage per building than 58% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Sharon’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $580K a year in losses across Sharon: $366K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Sharon flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 2018
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Sharon, from FEMA’s records: 1.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 71% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Sharon isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Jones County.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Sharon
Disasters that paid out in Sharon itself (aid to households or repair grants to Sharon), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding3 households applied for aid$13K aid approved
- 2005Hurricane Katrina53 households applied for aid$18K aid approved
Jones County has had 25 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often hurricanes and tropical storms, then severe storms.
Old photos of Sharon after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Sharon archive →Get ready for what Sharon 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.
- The season runs June through November and peaks from mid-August to mid-October.
- Bring in porch furniture and anything the wind can throw.
- Fill the gas tank and charge phones before the storm arrives.
- 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 Sharon
Is Sharon at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Sharon has higher expected damage per building than 58% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (52%) and hurricanes (21%). The figures are for the one census tract the town shares with its neighbors. This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Sharon flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in Sharon since 2018, $58K in all, or 1.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 71% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Sharon 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 Jones County, 10% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.8% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Sharon?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Sharon’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 Sharon?
By FEMA money that reached Sharon, Hurricane Katrina (2005): 53 households applied for aid, $18K approved.
Is Sharon at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (52%), and Sharon’s rate for it is lower than 58% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Sharon.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Sharon’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.