Photo: Skye Marthaler · CC BY-SA 3.0On FEMA’s figures, Mount Jackson faces more hazard damage per building than 78% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Mount Jackson gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 78% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (85%). Flood insurance has paid 4 claims here since 1994.
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 Mount Jackson 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 Mount Jackson’s grade
River and rain flooding is 85% of the building damage FEMA expects in Mount Jackson, and Mount Jackson’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 86% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 8% (higher than 82% of U.S. census tracts).
C− higher expected damage per building than 78% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Mount Jackson’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.2M a year in losses across Mount Jackson: $870K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Mount Jackson flood? Rarely: 4 flood claims since 1994
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Mount Jackson, from FEMA’s records: 4.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 57% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Fran1 claim · $14K
Mount 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: Shenandoah County.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Mount Jackson
Disasters that paid out in Mount Jackson itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Mount Jackson), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2003Hurricane Isabel1 households applied for aid$1K aid approved$4K to the Town of Mount Jackson for repairs
- 2003Severe Winter Storm, Record/near Record Snowfall, Heavy Rain,floodind, and Mudslide$4K to the Town of Mount Jackson for repairs
Shenandoah County has had 19 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.
Also 1 FEMA wildfire suppression grant (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Shenandoah County, 2001–2001.
Old photos of Mount Jackson after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Mount Jackson archive →Get ready for what Mount 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.
- 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 Mount Jackson
Is Mount Jackson at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Mount Jackson has higher expected damage per building than 78% 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 Mount Jackson flood?
Flood insurance has paid 4 claims in Mount Jackson since 1994, $193K in all, or 4.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 57% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Fran (1).
Is Mount 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 Shenandoah County, 10% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.5% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Mount Jackson?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Mount 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 Mount Jackson?
By FEMA money that reached Mount Jackson, Hurricane Isabel (2003): 1 households applied for aid, $1K approved, and $4K to the Town of Mount Jackson for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Fran: 1 paid, $14K.
Is Mount Jackson at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (85%), and Mount Jackson’s rate for it is higher than 86% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Mount Jackson.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Mount 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.