Photo: Daniel Ziegler · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA puts Jonestown’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 84% of U.S. towns, 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 84% of U.S. towns, #594 of 642 in Texas. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (87%). Flood insurance has paid 19 claims here since 1991.
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
Hail
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 87% of the building damage FEMA expects in Jonestown, and Jonestown’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is in the top 10% of U.S. census tracts. Hail adds 6%, at a rate in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts.
C− #594 of 642 in Texas; higher expected damage per building than 84% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Jonestown’s residents live in 4 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, Jonestown has more expected damage per building than 93% of Texas towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.6M a year in losses across Jonestown: $1.2M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Jonestown flood? Sometimes: 19 flood claims since 1991
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Jonestown, from FEMA’s records: 14.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 80% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Thunderstorms5 claims · $375K
- The Fall 2018 Texas Flooding2 claims · $239K
- The Torrential rain1 claim · $2K
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: Travis County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Jonestown
Disasters that paid out in Jonestown itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Jonestown), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2025Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding26 households applied for aid$126K aid approved$80K to the City of Jonestown for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2023Severe Winter Storm$66K to the City of Jonestown for repairs
- 2021Severe Winter Storms36 households applied for aid$15K aid approved
- 2018Severe Storms and Flooding$12K to the City of Jonestown for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
- 2007Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding6 households applied for aid$3K aid approved6 flood claims paid that year
Travis County has had 26 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then floods. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Also 6 FEMA wildfire suppression grants (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Travis County, 2006–2011.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Leander | B+less damage than 65% | river and rain flooding | 10 |
| Lago Vista | Cmore damage than 70% | river and rain flooding | 54 |
| Jonestown | C−more damage than 84% | river and rain flooding | 19 |
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.
- Park in a garage or under cover when storms are forecast.
- Stay away from windows while it falls.
- Photograph roof and car damage for your insurer.
- 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 84% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #594 of 642 in Texas. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (87%) and hail (6%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Jonestown flood?
Flood insurance has paid 19 claims in Jonestown since 1991, $1.2M in all, or 14.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 80% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 5 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Thunderstorms (5).
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 Travis County, 53% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 2.0% 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, Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding (2025): 26 households applied for aid, $126K approved, and $80K to the City of Jonestown for repairs. By flood claims, Thunderstorms: 5 paid, $375K.
Is Jonestown at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (87%), and Jonestown’s rate for it is in the top 10% 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.