Photo: Michael Rivera · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA puts Marianna’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 85% of U.S. towns, mostly from hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Marianna gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 85% of U.S. towns, #380 of 638 in Florida. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (62%), then river and rain flooding (31%). Flood insurance has paid 9 claims here since 1979.
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 Marianna faces
Each hazard’s share of the building damage FEMA expects here, and how its rate compares with the rest of the country.
Hurricanes
River and rain flooding
Tornadoes
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 Marianna’s grade
Hurricanes are 62% of the building damage FEMA expects in Marianna, and Marianna’s rate of hurricanes damage is in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts. Next is river and rain flooding at 31% (lower than 63% of U.S. census tracts).
C− #380 of 638 in Florida; higher expected damage per building than 85% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Marianna’s residents live in 4 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
The typical Florida town has higher expected damage than 79% of U.S. towns; within the state, Marianna has more expected damage per building than 59% of Florida towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $4.0M a year in losses across Marianna: $3.4M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Marianna flood? Rarely: 9 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Marianna, 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.
- Tropical Storm Alberto2 claims · $96K
- Hurricane Michael1 claim · $2K
- Hurricane Wilma1 claim · $16K
Marianna isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Jackson County.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Marianna
Disasters that paid out in Marianna itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Marianna), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2020Hurricane Sally$75K to the City of Marianna for repairs
- 2018Hurricane Michael5,237 households applied for aid$6.6M aid approved$8.8M to the City of Marianna for repairs1 flood claim paid for it, $2K
- 2017Hurricane Irma$14K to the City of Marianna for repairs
- 2014Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding188 households applied for aid$250K aid approved$148K to the City of Marianna for repairs
- 2009Severe Storms, Flooding, Tornadoes, and Straight-line Winds76 households applied for aid$118K aid approved$3K to the City of Marianna for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
- 2004Hurricane Ivan327 households applied for aid$818K aid approved$20K to the City of Marianna for repairs
Jackson County has had 24 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often hurricanes and tropical storms, then severe storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Also 1 FEMA wildfire suppression grant (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Jackson County, 1999–1999.
Old photos of Marianna after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Marianna archive →Marianna and its neighbors
Marianna 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Marianna | C−more damage than 85% | hurricanes | 9 |
| Greenwood | — | 803 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 Marianna faces
A short kit for the hazards that drive the building damage here, what to check before you buy, and where neighbors get alerts.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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 Marianna
Is Marianna at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Marianna has higher expected damage per building than 85% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #380 of 638 in Florida. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (62%) and river and rain flooding (31%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Marianna flood?
Flood insurance has paid 9 claims in Marianna since 1979, $131K in all, or 2.8 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 54% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Tropical Storm Alberto (2).
Is Marianna 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 Jackson County, 14% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.6% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Marianna?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Marianna’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 Marianna?
By FEMA money that reached Marianna, Hurricane Michael (2018): 5,237 households applied for aid, $6.6M approved, and $8.8M to the City of Marianna for repairs. By flood claims, Tropical Storm Alberto: 2 paid, $96K.
Is Marianna at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (62%), and Marianna’s rate for it is in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Marianna.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Marianna’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.