More hazard damage per building is expected in Marion Township than in 62% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Marion Township gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 62% of U.S. towns, #474 of 768 in Illinois. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (80%), then tornadoes (10%). Flood insurance has paid 33 claims here since 1988.
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 Township 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
Hail
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 Township’s grade
River and rain flooding is 80% of the building damage FEMA expects in Marion Township, and Marion Township’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 74% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 10% (higher than 82% of U.S. census tracts).
C+ #474 of 768 in Illinois; higher expected damage per building than 62% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Marion Township’s residents live in 3 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
The typical Illinois town has higher expected damage than 54% of U.S. towns; within the state, Marion Township has more expected damage per building than 62% of Illinois towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $3.2M a year in losses across Marion Township: $2.5M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Marion Township flood? Sometimes: 33 flood claims since 1988
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Marion Township, from FEMA’s records: 20.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 84% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Mid-spring storms4 claims · $101K
Marion Township isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Ogle County.The storms Marion Township remembers
None of the 11 disasters declared for Ogle County shows FEMA aid or repair money reaching Marion Township itself in FEMA’s records, so these are its biggest flood-claim years.
- 19967 flood claims paidThe year of Severe Storms and Flooding, declared for Ogle County
- 20107 flood claims paidThe year of Severe Storms and Flooding, declared for Ogle County
- 20134 flood claims paidThe year of Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding, declared for Ogle County
Ogle County has had 11 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often winter storms, then floods. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Marion Township after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Marion Township archive →Marion Township and its neighbors
Marion Township is 2nd of the 4 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Scott Township | Bless damage than 59% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Marion Township | C+more damage than 62% | river and rain flooding | 33 |
| Rockvale Township | Cmore damage than 69% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Byron Township | C−more damage than 79% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Pine Rock Township | — | 696 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Rockford Township | — | not graded yet | |
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 Township 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.
- Park in a garage or under cover when storms are forecast.
- Stay away from windows while it falls.
- Photograph roof and car damage for your insurer.
- 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 Township
Is Marion Township at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Marion Township has higher expected damage per building than 62% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk, #474 of 768 in Illinois. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (80%) and tornadoes (10%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Marion Township flood?
Flood insurance has paid 33 claims in Marion Township since 1988, $682K in all, or 20.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 84% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Mid-spring storms (4).
Is Marion Township 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 Ogle County, 26% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.8% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Marion Township?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Marion Township’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 Township?
By flood claims, Mid-spring storms: 4 paid, $101K.
Is Marion Township at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (80%), and Marion Township’s rate for it is higher than 74% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Marion Township.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Marion Township’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.