Foster Hall · Photo: Nyttend · Public domainOn FEMA’s figures, Meridian Hills faces about as much hazard damage per building as the typical U.S. town, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Meridian Hills gets a B− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 51% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (85%). Flood insurance has paid 9 claims here since 1978.
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 Meridian Hills 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
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 Meridian Hills’ grade
River and rain flooding is 85% of the building damage FEMA expects in Meridian Hills, and Meridian Hills’ rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 68% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 9% (higher than 74% of U.S. census tracts).
B− lower expected damage per building than 51% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Meridian Hills’ residents live in 3 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $943K a year in losses across Meridian Hills: $800K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Meridian Hills flood? Rarely: 9 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Meridian Hills, from FEMA’s records: 13.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 78% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Meridian Hills isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Marion County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Meridian Hills
Disasters that paid out in Meridian Hills itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Meridian Hills), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2014Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$9K to the Town of Meridian Hills for repairs
- 2008Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes$13K to the Town of Meridian Hills for repairs
- 2007Snow$8K to the Town of Meridian Hills for repairs
- 2004Snow$7K to the Town of Meridian Hills for repairs
- 1999In-winter Storm 12/23/98$4K to the Town of Meridian Hills for repairs
Marion 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 Meridian Hills after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Meridian Hills archive →Meridian Hills and its neighbors
Meridian Hills 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Meridian Hills | B−less damage than 51% | river and rain flooding | 9 |
| Williams Creek | — | 417 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 Meridian Hills 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.
- 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 Meridian Hills
Is Meridian Hills at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Meridian Hills has lower expected damage per building than 51% of U.S. towns: B− for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (85%) and tornadoes (9%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Meridian Hills flood?
Flood insurance has paid 9 claims in Meridian Hills since 1978, $62K in all, or 13.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 78% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Meridian Hills 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 Marion County, 16% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.7% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Meridian Hills?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Meridian Hills’ 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 Meridian Hills?
By FEMA money that reached Meridian Hills, Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes (2008): $13K to the Town of Meridian Hills for repairs.
Is Meridian Hills at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (85%), and Meridian Hills’ rate for it is higher than 68% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Meridian Hills.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Meridian Hills’ 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.