On FEMA’s figures, Guin faces more hazard damage per building than 77% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Guin gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 77% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (68%), then tornadoes (21%). FEMA’s files show no paid flood insurance claims here.
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 Guin 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
Earthquakes
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 Guin’s grade
River and rain flooding is 68% of the building damage FEMA expects in Guin, and Guin’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 76% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 21%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
C− higher expected damage per building than 77% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Guin’s residents live in 2 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.4M a year in losses across Guin: $846K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Guin flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Guin. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Guin isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Marion County.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Guin
Disasters that paid out in Guin itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Guin), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2019Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding$40K to the City of Guin for repairs
- 2011Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding22 households applied for aid$66K aid approved
- 2005Hurricane Katrina$48K to the City of Guin for repairs
- 2004Hurricane Ivan8 households applied for aid$426 aid approved$6K to the City of Guin for repairs
Marion County has had 23 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then hurricanes and tropical storms.
Old photos of Guin after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Guin archive →Guin and its neighbors
Guin has the lowest expected damage per building of the 1 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Guin | C−more damage than 77% | river and rain flooding | 0 |
| Twin | — | 475 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
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 Guin 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.
- Drop, cover and hold on.
- Strap tall furniture and the water heater to the wall.
- Know how to shut off the gas.
- 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 Guin
Is Guin at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Guin has higher expected damage per building than 77% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (68%) and tornadoes (21%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Is Guin 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 Marion County, 8% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.2% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Guin?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Guin’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 Guin?
By FEMA money that reached Guin, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding (2011): 22 households applied for aid, $66K approved.
Is Guin at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (68%), and Guin’s rate for it is higher than 76% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Guin.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Guin’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.