FEMA puts Jackson’s expected hazard damage per building below that of 85% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Jackson gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 85% of U.S. towns, #373 of 993 in Ohio. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (86%). Flood insurance has paid 86 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
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 86% of the building damage FEMA expects in Jackson, and Jackson’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 60% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 5% (higher than 51% of U.S. census tracts).
A− #373 of 993 in Ohio; lower expected damage per building than 85% 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 Ohio town has lower expected damage than 79% of U.S. towns; within the state, Jackson has less expected damage per building than 62% of Ohio towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.6M a year in losses across Jackson: $1.3M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Jackson flood? Sometimes: 86 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Jackson, from FEMA’s records: 28.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 88% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
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: Jackson County.4 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.
- 2019Severe Storms, Flooding, and Landslides$58K to the City of Jackson for repairs
- 2012Severe Storms and Straight-line Winds$169K to the City of Jackson for repairs14 flood claims paid that year
- 2011Severe Storms and Flooding$75K to the City of Jackson for repairs18 flood claims paid that year
- 2003Severe Winter Storm and Record/near Record Snow47 households applied for aid$53K aid approved$26K to the City of Jackson for repairs
Jackson County has had 12 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 4 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jackson | A−less damage than 85% | river and rain flooding | 86 |
| Franklin Township | A−less damage than 85% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Lick Township | A−less damage than 78% | river and rain flooding | 66 |
| Liberty Township | Bless damage than 65% | river and rain flooding | 46 |
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.
- 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 lower expected damage per building than 85% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk, #373 of 993 in Ohio. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (86%) and tornadoes (5%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Jackson flood?
Flood insurance has paid 86 claims in Jackson since 1978, $1.3M in all, or 28.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 88% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 14 properties have flooded more than once.
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 Jackson County, 11% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.4% 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 Storms and Straight-line Winds (2012): $169K to the City of Jackson for repairs.
Is Jackson at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (86%), and Jackson’s rate for it is lower than 60% 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.