Photo: Garryharvey · Public domainOn FEMA’s figures, Jackson faces more hazard damage per building than 77% of U.S. towns, mostly from earthquakes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Jackson gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 77% of U.S. towns, #144 of 177 in Tennessee. Most of that expected damage is earthquakes (62%), then river and rain flooding (26%). Flood insurance has paid 84 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 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.
Earthquakes
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
Earthquakes are 62% of the building damage FEMA expects in Jackson, and Jackson’s rate of earthquakes damage is in the top 9% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 10%, at a rate in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts.
C− #144 of 177 in Tennessee; higher expected damage per building than 77% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Jackson’s residents live in 24 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
The typical Tennessee town has higher expected damage than 53% of U.S. towns; within the state, Jackson has more expected damage per building than 81% of Tennessee towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $65.3M a year in losses across Jackson: $27.1M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Jackson flood? Sometimes: 84 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Jackson, from FEMA’s records: 2.8 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 54% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Late spring storms22 claims · $876K
- The Mid-spring storms4 claims · $158K
- The Central U.S. April Flooding2 claims · $197K
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: Madison County.14 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.
- 2026Severe Winter Storm2,381 households applied for aid$3.1M aid approved$348K to the City of Jackson for repairs
- 2025Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding$280K to the City of Jackson for repairs3 flood claims paid that year
- 2023Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Tornado$122K to the City of Jackson for repairs
- 2021Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding$34K to the City of Jackson for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2020Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding$147K to the City of Jackson for repairs
- 2014Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding$307K to the City of Jackson for repairs
Show all 14
- 2014Severe Winter Storm$225K to the City of Jackson for repairs
- 2011Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Associated Flooding165 households applied for aid$175K aid approved$39K to the City of Jackson for repairs
- 2011Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding$851K to the City of Jackson for repairs
- 2010Severe Storms, Flooding, Straight-line Winds, and Tornadoes1,607 households applied for aid$2.0M aid approved$1.1M to the City of Jackson for repairs22 flood claims paid that year
- 2008Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding802 households applied for aid$507K aid approved$694K to the City of Jackson for repairs
- 2003Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding5,246 households applied for aid$9.5M aid approved$7.9M to the City of Jackson for repairs
- 2002Severe Storms and Tornados133 households applied for aid$32K aid approved$251K to the City of Jackson for repairs3 flood claims paid that year
- 1999Severe Storms, Tornadoes and High Winds$975K to the City of Jackson for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
Madison County has had 18 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then winter storms. 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 →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.
- Drop, cover and hold on.
- Strap tall furniture and the water heater to the wall.
- Know how to shut off the gas.
- 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 higher expected damage per building than 77% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #144 of 177 in Tennessee. Most of the expected damage is earthquakes (62%) and river and rain flooding (26%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Jackson flood?
Flood insurance has paid 84 claims in Jackson since 1979, $2.3M in all, or 2.8 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 54% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 9 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Late spring storms (22).
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 Madison County, 22% 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, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2003): 5,246 households applied for aid, $9.5M approved, and $7.9M to the City of Jackson for repairs. By flood claims, Late spring storms: 22 paid, $876K.
Is Jackson at risk from earthquakes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (62%), and Jackson’s rate for it is in the top 9% 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.