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Jackson, Hinds County · Updated September 2026A FORTIFIED roof in Jackson can’t get the state grant yet: the statewide phase is planned from 1 January 2027, and inland the insurance discount is voluntary. But Jackson has some of the oldest housing in the state and a long tornado record, which is exactly what FORTIFIED is built for.
Of Jackson’s roughly 61,000 homes, only about 1 in 10 was built after 2000, and almost half date from 1940 to 1969. Mid-century homes often have plank decking, older nailing and several layers of repairs. When the old roof comes off, expect the roofer to find decking that needs replacing.
There’s a flip side. Jackson’s median home value is $111,700, and many of these homes are modest in size. A $10,000 grant covers a much bigger share of a smaller, simpler roof than of a large Coast house. See what the grant covers at different job sizes.
Age shares: NeighborhoodScout from Census data, Q4 2025. Value and ownership: US Census QuickFacts, 2020 to 2024.
An F5 on a 202-mile path; 58 people killed. Weather.com
Gusts up to 85 mph; some areas without power for over two weeks. WLBT
140 mph winds on a 17-mile path through west Jackson to Ridgeland; numerous homes damaged or destroyed. NWS Jackson
Trees on at least seven houses in Sheffield; 2,500+ customers without power. WLBT
Hinds County approved for public assistance for debris removal. MEMA
FORTIFIED’s sealed deck and stronger edges are designed for high wind from any source, including the straight-line winds and weaker tornadoes that cause most Jackson roof damage. No roof survives a direct hit from a violent tornado.
On the Coast, the law requires insurers to offer a mitigation discount. In Hinds County it doesn’t. The statute covers homes only in Hancock, Harrison, Jackson, Stone and Pearl River counties. (Jackson County is on the Coast; it isn’t the city of Jackson.) The wind pool isn’t involved either: it only covers the six coastal counties.
That doesn’t mean you won’t get a discount. Many insurers offer FORTIFIED credits voluntarily. But in Jackson, the discount is a question to ask, not a given. Ask before you sign a roofing contract.
1. Do you give a discount for an IBHS FORTIFIED Roof certificate in Hinds County?
2. How much, and is it off the whole premium or the wind portion?
3. What do you need from me to apply it?
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Building code | 2018 International Building Code and Residential Code, with amendments |
| Re-roof permit | The city lists roofing permits among common permit types |
| State grant | Statewide phase planned from 1 Jan 2027, pending a legislative funding fix |
| Storm recovery (HRRP) | State programme for Hinds homes damaged 8 to 11 Apr 2024, owners at or below 80% of AMI. Deadline was 5 Apr 2026 |
| USDA 504 | Repair loans, and grants for 62+ on very low incomes, in eligible rural areas. Check your address |
Many Jackson families are still working to recover from these devastating storms.
Jackson’s mayor on the 2024 storm recovery programme, Jackson Advocate, April 2026Not yet. Phase one is for wind pool customers on the Coast. The statewide phase, open to homeowners anywhere in Mississippi including Jackson, is planned from 1 January 2027.
Maybe. The legal requirement only covers five coastal counties, so in Hinds County it’s up to your insurer. Ask your agent before you build.
It’s built to resist high winds, including straight-line winds and weaker tornadoes, by keeping the deck and edges attached. No roof survives a direct hit from a violent tornado.
The city lists the 2018 International Building Code and 2018 International Residential Code, with amendments.
If your roof has a few good years left, get on the alert list and wait. If it’s leaking or failing, replace it now and build it to FORTIFIED. See all your options.
When statewide applications open, you’ll need a certified roofer and a price. A quote now tells you how much of your roof the grant would cover. Also see the programme timeline.