Photo: Ken Lund · CC BY-SA 2.0Less hazard damage per building is expected in Jackson Township than in 80% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Jackson Township gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns, #397 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (77%), then hurricanes (16%). Flood insurance has paid 1 claim here since 2004.
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 Jackson Township 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
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 Township’s grade
River and rain flooding is 77% of the building damage FEMA expects in Jackson Township, and Jackson Township’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 63% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 16% (higher than 82% of U.S. census tracts).
A− #397 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania; lower expected damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Jackson Township’s residents live in 2 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
The typical Pennsylvania town has lower expected damage than 71% of U.S. towns; within the state, Jackson Township has less expected damage per building than 62% of Pennsylvania towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.9M a year in losses across Jackson Township: $1.5M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Jackson Township flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 2004
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Jackson Township, from FEMA’s records: 0.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 96% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Jackson Township isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: York County.The storms Jackson Township remembers
None of the 17 disasters declared for York County shows FEMA aid or repair money reaching Jackson Township itself in FEMA’s records, so these are its biggest flood-claim years.
- 20041 flood claims paidThe year of Tropical Depression Ivan, declared for York County
York County has had 17 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often winter storms, then floods. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Jackson Township after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Jackson Township archive →Jackson Township and its neighbors
Jackson Township has the lowest expected damage per building of the 7 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jackson Township | A−less damage than 80% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| North Codorus Township | A−less damage than 76% | river and rain flooding | 11 |
| Heidelberg Township | B+less damage than 73% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| West Manchester Township | B+less damage than 66% | river and rain flooding | 24 |
| Paradise Township | B+less damage than 66% | river and rain flooding | 34 |
| Dover Township | B−less damage than 51% | river and rain flooding | 99 |
| Spring Grove | Cmore damage than 72% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
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 Township 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.
- 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 Township
Is Jackson Township at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Jackson Township has lower expected damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk, #397 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (77%) and hurricanes (16%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Jackson Township flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in Jackson Township since 2004, $4K in all, or 0.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 96% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Jackson Township 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 York County, 30% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.4% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Jackson Township?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Jackson Township’s flood program. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
Is Jackson Township at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (77%), and Jackson Township’s rate for it is lower than 63% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Jackson Township.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Jackson Township’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.