Photo: Wrbalusek · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Jasper than in 76% of U.S. towns, led by river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Jasper gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 76% of U.S. towns, #525 of 642 in Texas. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (49%), then hurricanes (39%). Flood insurance has paid 22 claims here since 1984.
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 Jasper’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Jasper 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
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 Jasper’s grade
River and rain flooding is 49% of the building damage FEMA expects in Jasper, and Jasper’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 59% of U.S. census tracts. Hurricanes add 39%, at a rate in the top 10% of U.S. census tracts.
C− #525 of 642 in Texas; higher expected damage per building than 76% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Jasper’s residents live in 5 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, Jasper has more expected damage per building than 82% of Texas towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $3.8M a year in losses across Jasper: $2.8M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Jasper flood? Sometimes: 22 flood claims since 1984
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Jasper, from FEMA’s records: 5.6 per 1,000 homes, more than 63% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Tropical Storm Paul4 claims · $106K
- Hurricane Harvey2 claims · $95K
- The Early summer storms2 claims · $5K
Jasper isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Jasper County.11 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Jasper
Disasters that paid out in Jasper itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Jasper), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Hurricane Beryl1,610 households applied for aid$3.4M aid approved$188K to the City of Jasper for repairs
- 2024Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding953 households applied for aid$2.3M aid approved
- 2021Severe Winter Storms307 households applied for aid$108K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2020Tropical Storms Marco and Laura$147K to the City of Jasper for repairs
- 2020Hurricane Laura$463K to the City of Jasper for repairs
- 2017Hurricane Harvey1,969 households applied for aid$1.2M aid approved$577K to the City of Jasper for repairs2 flood claims paid for it, $95K
Show all 11
- 2016Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding117 households applied for aid$101K aid approved$103K to the City of Jasper for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
- 2008Hurricane Ike2,240 households applied for aid$682K aid approved$346K to the City of Jasper for repairs1 flood claim paid for it, $769
- 2008Hurricane Gustav$6K to the City of Jasper for repairs
- 2005Hurricane Rita7,856 households applied for aid$13.1M aid approved$2.9M to the City of Jasper for repairs1 flood claim paid for it, $34K
- 2002Severe Storms, Tornadoes and Flooding256 households applied for aid$191K aid approved
Jasper County has had 25 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.
Also 1 FEMA wildfire suppression grant (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Jasper County, 2011–2011.
Old photos of Jasper after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Jasper archive →Get ready for what Jasper 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.
- 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 Jasper
Is Jasper at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Jasper has higher expected damage per building than 76% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #525 of 642 in Texas. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (49%) and hurricanes (39%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Jasper flood?
Flood insurance has paid 22 claims in Jasper since 1984, $447K in all, or 5.6 per 1,000 homes, more than 63% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Tropical Storm Paul (4).
Is Jasper 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 Jasper County, 19% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 2.4% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Jasper?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Jasper’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 Jasper?
By FEMA money that reached Jasper, Hurricane Rita (2005): 7,856 households applied for aid, $13.1M approved, and $2.9M to the City of Jasper for repairs. By flood claims, Tropical Storm Paul: 4 paid, $106K.
Is Jasper at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (49%), and Jasper’s rate for it is higher than 59% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Jasper.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Jasper’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.