On FEMA’s figures, Jonestown faces about as much hazard damage per building as the typical U.S. town, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Jonestown gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 56% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (85%). Flood insurance has paid 7 claims here since 1979.
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 Jonestown 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 Jonestown’s grade
River and rain flooding is 85% of the building damage FEMA expects in Jonestown, and Jonestown’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 73% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 8% (higher than 81% of U.S. census tracts).
C+ higher expected damage per building than 56% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Jonestown’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $464K a year in losses across Jonestown: $335K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Jonestown flood? Rarely: 7 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Jonestown, from FEMA’s records: 9.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 73% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Tropical Storm Lee2 claims · $287K
Jonestown isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Lebanon County.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Jonestown
Disasters that paid out in Jonestown itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Borough of Jonestown), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2011Tropical Storm Lee250 households applied for aid$875K aid approved2 flood claims paid for it, $287K
- 2006Severe Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides40 households applied for aid$92K aid approved2 flood claims paid that year
- 2004Tropical Depression Ivan37 households applied for aid$78K aid approved
Lebanon County has had 15 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often floods, then winter storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Jonestown after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Jonestown archive →Jonestown and its neighbors
Jonestown is 3rd of the 3 graded towns here, from least expected damage per building to most. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Union Township | A−less damage than 78% | river and rain flooding | 291 |
| Swatara Township | C+more damage than 56% | river and rain flooding | 31 |
| Jonestown | C+more damage than 56% | river and rain flooding | 7 |
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 Jonestown 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 Jonestown
Is Jonestown at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Jonestown has higher expected damage per building than 56% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (85%) and hurricanes (8%). 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 Jonestown flood?
Flood insurance has paid 7 claims in Jonestown since 1979, $376K in all, or 9.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 73% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Tropical Storm Lee (2).
Is Jonestown 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 Lebanon County, 29% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.4% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Jonestown?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Jonestown’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 Jonestown?
By FEMA money that reached Jonestown, Tropical Storm Lee (2011): 250 households applied for aid, $875K approved. By flood claims, Tropical Storm Lee: 2 paid, $287K.
Is Jonestown at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (85%), and Jonestown’s rate for it is higher than 73% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Jonestown.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Jonestown’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.