Photo: RBK72650 · CC BY-SA 4.0More hazard damage per building is expected in Marshall than in 92% of U.S. towns, mostly from ice storms
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Marshall gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 92% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is ice storms (54%), then river and rain flooding (26%). 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 Marshall faces
Each hazard’s share of the building damage FEMA expects here, and how its rate compares with the rest of the country.
Ice storms
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 Marshall’s grade
Ice storms are 54% of the building damage FEMA expects in Marshall, and Marshall’s rate of ice storms damage is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 8%, at a rate in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts.
D higher expected damage per building than 92% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Marshall’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $963K a year in losses across Marshall: $671K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Marshall flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Marshall. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
9 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Marshall
Disasters that paid out in Marshall itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Marshall), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2025Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding$56K to the City of Marshall for repairs
- 2015Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding$20K to the City of Marshall for repairs
- 2015Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding$85K to the City of Marshall for repairs
- 2011Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Associated Flooding$25K to the City of Marshall for repairs
- 2009Severe Winter Storm$83K to the City of Marshall for repairs
- 2008Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding12 households applied for aid$43K aid approved
Show all 9
- 2008Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding4 households applied for aid$12K aid approved
- 2004Sever Storms, Flooding and Landslides$12K to the City of Marshall for repairs
- 2002Severe Ice Storm$12K to the City of Marshall for repairs
Searcy County has had 21 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 Marshall after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Marshall archive →Get ready for what Marshall faces
A short kit for the hazards that drive the building damage here, what to check before you buy, and where neighbors get alerts.
- Ice brings down trees and lines: plan for days without power.
- Run a generator outside, far from doors and windows.
- Keep sand or salt by the door.
- 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 Marshall
Is Marshall at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Marshall has higher expected damage per building than 92% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is ice storms (54%) and river and rain flooding (26%). 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.
Is Marshall 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.
How much is flood insurance in Marshall?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Marshall’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 Marshall?
By FEMA money that reached Marshall, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding (2015): $85K to the City of Marshall for repairs.
Is Marshall at risk from ice storms?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (54%), and Marshall’s rate for it is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Marshall.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Marshall’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.