Photo: Doug Kerr from Upstate New York · CC BY-SA 2.0FEMA expects less hazard damage per building in Jordan than in 71% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Jordan gets a B+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 71% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (90%). Flood insurance has paid 8 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 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
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 90% of the building damage FEMA expects in Jordan, and Jordan’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 57% of U.S. census tracts.
B+ lower expected damage per building than 71% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Jordan’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $297K a year in losses across Jordan: $245K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Jordan flood? Rarely: 8 flood claims since 1993
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Jordan, from FEMA’s records: 12.3 per 1,000 homes, more than 77% 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: Onondaga County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Jordan
Disasters that paid out in Jordan itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Village of Jordan), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2003Ice Storm12 households applied for aid$11K aid approved$2K to the Village of Jordan for repairs
Onondaga County has had 13 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; the 2001 World Trade Center declarations.
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 →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.
- 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 lower expected damage per building than 71% of U.S. towns: B+ for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (90%). 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 Jordan flood?
Flood insurance has paid 8 claims in Jordan since 1993, $126K in all, or 12.3 per 1,000 homes, more than 77% 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 Onondaga County, 28% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.7% 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, Ice Storm (2003): 12 households applied for aid, $11K approved, and $2K to the Village 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 (90%), and Jordan’s rate for it is higher than 57% 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.