Photo: Thomas R Machnitzki · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Marion than in 88% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Marion gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 88% of U.S. towns, #103 of 123 in Arkansas. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (61%), then earthquakes (30%). Flood insurance has paid 15 claims here since 1987.
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 Marion 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
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 Marion’s grade
River and rain flooding is 61% of the building damage FEMA expects in Marion, and Marion’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 84% of U.S. census tracts. Ice storms add 4%, at a rate in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts.
D #103 of 123 in Arkansas; higher expected damage per building than 88% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Marion’s residents live in 6 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
The typical Arkansas town has higher expected damage than 73% of U.S. towns; within the state, Marion has more expected damage per building than 84% of Arkansas towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $9.0M a year in losses across Marion: $5.4M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Marion flood? Sometimes: 15 flood claims since 1987
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Marion, from FEMA’s records: 2.8 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 54% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Mid-spring storms4 claims · $24K
- The Central U.S. April Flooding1 claim · $134K
Marion isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Crittenden County.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Marion
Disasters that paid out in Marion itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Marion), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2025Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding190 households applied for aid$869K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2011Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Associated Flooding125 households applied for aid$127K aid approved$58K to the City of Marion for repairs4 flood claims paid that year
- 2003Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding55 households applied for aid$102K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2000Severe Winter Ice Storm$21K to the City of Marion for repairs
Crittenden County has had 16 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.
Old photos of Marion after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Marion archive →Marion and its neighbors
Marion has the lowest expected damage per building of the 2 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Marion | Dmore damage than 88% | river and rain flooding | 15 |
| West Memphis | Dmore damage than 91% | river and rain flooding | 652 |
| Clarkedale | — | 468 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 Marion 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.
- 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 Marion
Is Marion at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Marion has higher expected damage per building than 88% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk, #103 of 123 in Arkansas. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (61%) and earthquakes (30%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Marion flood?
Flood insurance has paid 15 claims in Marion since 1987, $395K in all, or 2.8 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 54% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 3 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Mid-spring storms (4).
Is Marion 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 Crittenden County, 20% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 2.2% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Marion?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Marion’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 Marion?
By FEMA money that reached Marion, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2025): 190 households applied for aid, $869K approved. By flood claims, Mid-spring storms: 4 paid, $24K.
Is Marion at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (61%), and Marion’s rate for it is higher than 84% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Marion.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Marion’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.