FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Malvern than in 75% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Malvern gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 75% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (64%), then hurricanes (30%). 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 Malvern 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 Malvern’s grade
River and rain flooding is 64% of the building damage FEMA expects in Malvern, and Malvern’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 71% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 30% (higher than 89% of U.S. census tracts).
C higher expected damage per building than 75% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Malvern’s residents live in 2 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $556K a year in losses across Malvern: $346K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Malvern flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Malvern. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Malvern isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Geneva County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Malvern
Disasters that paid out in Malvern itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Malvern), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2005Hurricane Dennis$2K to the Town of Malvern for repairs
Geneva County has had 28 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often hurricanes and tropical storms, then severe storms.
Old photos of Malvern after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Malvern archive →Malvern and its neighbors
Malvern is 2nd of the 2 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Taylor | Cmore damage than 73% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Malvern | Cmore damage than 75% | river and rain flooding | 0 |
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 Malvern 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 Malvern
Is Malvern at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Malvern has higher expected damage per building than 75% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (64%) and hurricanes (30%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Is Malvern 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 Geneva County, 12% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.4% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Malvern?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Malvern’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 Malvern?
By FEMA money that reached Malvern, Hurricane Dennis (2005): $2K to the Town of Malvern for repairs.
Is Malvern at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (64%), and Malvern’s rate for it is higher than 71% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Malvern.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Malvern’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.