Photo: Richie Diesterheft from Santa Barbara, CA, USA · CC BY 2.0Jamestown’s building-damage rate from strong wind is in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Jamestown gets a B− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 52% of U.S. towns, #13 of 23 in North Dakota. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (51%), then hail (15%). Flood insurance has paid 64 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 Jamestown 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
Strong wind
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 Jamestown’s grade
River and rain flooding is 51% of the building damage FEMA expects in Jamestown, and Jamestown’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 67% of U.S. census tracts. Hail adds 15%, at a rate in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts.
B− #13 of 23 in North Dakota; lower expected damage per building than 52% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Jamestown’s residents live in 6 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
The typical North Dakota town has lower expected damage than 59% of U.S. towns; within the state, Jamestown has more expected damage per building than 55% of North Dakota towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $9.1M a year in losses across Jamestown: $4.4M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Jamestown flood? Sometimes: 64 flood claims since 1993
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Jamestown, from FEMA’s records: 8.3 per 1,000 homes, more than 70% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Late spring storms2 claims · $5K
Jamestown isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Stutsman County.10 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Jamestown
Disasters that paid out in Jamestown itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Jamestown), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2025Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Tornadoes$80K to the City of Jamestown for repairs
- 2025Severe Storm, Tornadoes, and Straight-line Winds$343K to the City of Jamestown for repairs
- 2020Flooding$50K to the City of Jamestown for repairs
- 2019Flooding$132K to the City of Jamestown for repairs
- 2011Flooding$532K to the City of Jamestown for repairs4 flood claims paid that year
- 2010Flooding$431K to the City of Jamestown for repairs
Show all 10
- 2010Flooding$123K to the City of Jamestown for repairs
- 2009Severe Storms and Flooding467 households applied for aid$333K aid approved$3.0M to the City of Jamestown for repairs32 flood claims paid that year
- 2001Severe Storms, Flooding, and Ground Saturation$37K to the City of Jamestown for repairs
- 1999Severe Storms, Flooding, Snow, Ice, Ground Saturation, Lanslides, Mudslides, and Tor$30K to the City of Jamestown for repairs
Stutsman County has had 27 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 Jamestown after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Jamestown archive →Jamestown and its neighbors
Jamestown 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jamestown | B−less damage than 52% | river and rain flooding | 64 |
| Bloom Township | — | 362 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Woodbury Township | — | 172 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Midway Township | — | 563 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Homer Township | — | 336 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 Jamestown 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.
- Trim dead limbs over the house and driveway.
- Tie down trash cans and outdoor furniture.
- Stay clear of downed lines and call the utility.
- 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 Jamestown
Is Jamestown at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Jamestown has lower expected damage per building than 52% of U.S. towns: B− for hazard risk, #13 of 23 in North Dakota. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (51%) and hail (15%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Jamestown flood?
Flood insurance has paid 64 claims in Jamestown since 1993, $304K in all, or 8.3 per 1,000 homes, more than 70% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 4 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Late spring storms (2).
Is Jamestown 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 Stutsman County, 60% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.8% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Jamestown?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Jamestown’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 Jamestown?
By FEMA money that reached Jamestown, Severe Storms and Flooding (2009): 467 households applied for aid, $333K approved, and $3.0M to the City of Jamestown for repairs. By flood claims, Late spring storms: 2 paid, $5K.
Is Jamestown at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (51%), and Jamestown’s rate for it is lower than 67% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Jamestown.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Jamestown’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.