Ed. M. Stotlar House · Photo: Nyttend · Public domainFEMA puts Marion’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 84% of U.S. towns, led by earthquakes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Marion gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 84% of U.S. towns, #696 of 768 in Illinois. Most of that expected damage is earthquakes (39%), then river and rain flooding (31%). Flood insurance has paid 160 claims here since 1982.
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 stands out about Marion’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
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.
Earthquakes
River and rain flooding
Strong wind
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
Earthquakes are 39% of the building damage FEMA expects in Marion, and Marion’s rate of earthquakes damage is higher than 88% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 23%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
C− #696 of 768 in Illinois; higher expected damage per building than 84% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Marion’s residents live in 7 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 has more expected damage per building than 91% of Illinois towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $15.1M a year in losses across Marion: $9.6M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Marion flood? Yes: 160 flood claims since 1982
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Marion, from FEMA’s records: 17.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 82% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The March storm20 claims · $344K
- The Mid-spring storms1 claim · $7K
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: Williamson County.3 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.
- 2011Severe Storms and Flooding48 households applied for aid$149K aid approved$3K to the City of Marion for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2009Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes$730K to the City of Marion for repairs4 flood claims paid that year
- 2004Record/near Record Snow$31K to the City of Marion for repairs
Williamson County has had 6 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 →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.
- Drop, cover and hold on.
- Strap tall furniture and the water heater to the wall.
- Know how to shut off the gas.
- 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.
- Trim dead limbs over the house and driveway.
- Tie down trash cans and outdoor furniture.
- Stay clear of downed lines and call the utility.
- 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 84% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #696 of 768 in Illinois. Most of the expected damage is earthquakes (39%) and river and rain flooding (31%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Marion flood?
Flood insurance has paid 160 claims in Marion since 1982, $1.8M in all, or 17.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 82% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 15 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from March storm (20).
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 Williamson County, 15% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.5% 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, Flooding, and Tornadoes (2009): $730K to the City of Marion for repairs. By flood claims, March storm: 20 paid, $344K.
Is Marion at risk from earthquakes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (39%), and Marion’s rate for it is higher than 88% 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.