Photo: Txstateends · CC BY-SA 4.0Less hazard damage per building is expected in Jacksonville than in 72% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Jacksonville gets a B+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 72% of U.S. towns, #160 of 642 in Texas. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (65%), then tornadoes (17%). Flood insurance has paid 5 claims here since 1985.
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 Jacksonville 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
Strong wind
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 Jacksonville’s grade
River and rain flooding is 65% of the building damage FEMA expects in Jacksonville, and Jacksonville’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 66% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 8%, at a rate in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts.
B+ #160 of 642 in Texas; lower expected damage per building than 72% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Jacksonville’s residents live in 6 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
The typical Texas town has higher expected damage than 50% of U.S. towns; within the state, Jacksonville has less expected damage per building than 75% of Texas towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $4.5M a year in losses across Jacksonville: $2.7M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Jacksonville flood? Rarely: 5 flood claims since 1985
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Jacksonville, from FEMA’s records: 0.9 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 80% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Jacksonville isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Cherokee County.7 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Jacksonville
Disasters that paid out in Jacksonville itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Jacksonville), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Hurricane Beryl1 households applied for aid$1K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2021Severe Winter Storms340 households applied for aid$185K aid approved$332K to the City of Jacksonville for repairs
- 2016Severe Storms and Flooding14 households applied for aid$25K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2015Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds and Flooding176 households applied for aid$183K aid approved$318K to the City of Jacksonville for repairs
- 2008Hurricane Ike287 households applied for aid$282K aid approved$156K to the City of Jacksonville for repairs
- 2007Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding208 households applied for aid$369K aid approved$84K to the City of Jacksonville for repairs
Show all 7
- 2005Hurricane Rita$43K to the City of Jacksonville for repairs
Cherokee County has had 21 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then hurricanes and tropical storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Jacksonville after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Jacksonville archive →Get ready for what Jacksonville 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.
- Trim dead limbs over the house and driveway.
- Tie down trash cans and outdoor furniture.
- Stay clear of downed lines and call the utility.
- 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 Jacksonville
Is Jacksonville at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Jacksonville has lower expected damage per building than 72% of U.S. towns: B+ for hazard risk, #160 of 642 in Texas. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (65%) and tornadoes (17%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Jacksonville flood?
Flood insurance has paid 5 claims in Jacksonville since 1985, $38K in all, or 0.9 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 80% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 2 properties have flooded more than once.
Is Jacksonville 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 Cherokee County, 14% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.5% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Jacksonville?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Jacksonville’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 Jacksonville?
By FEMA money that reached Jacksonville, Severe Winter Storms (2021): 340 households applied for aid, $185K approved, and $332K to the City of Jacksonville for repairs.
Is Jacksonville at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (65%), and Jacksonville’s rate for it is lower than 66% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Jacksonville.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Jacksonville’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.