Photo: T.S. Custadio aka ToddC4176 at en.wikipedia · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA expects less hazard damage per building in Marion than in 76% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Marion gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 76% of U.S. towns, #144 of 283 in Massachusetts. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (71%), then coastal flooding (16%). Flood insurance has paid 136 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 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.
River and rain flooding
Coastal flooding
Hurricanes
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
River and rain flooding is 71% of the building damage FEMA expects in Marion, and Marion’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 64% of U.S. census tracts. Coastal flooding adds 16%, at a rate in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts.
A− #144 of 283 in Massachusetts; lower expected damage per building than 76% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Marion’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
The typical Massachusetts town has lower expected damage than 76% of U.S. towns; within the state, Marion has more expected damage per building than 51% of Massachusetts towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.6M a year in losses across Marion: $1.5M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Marion flood? Yes: 136 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Marion, from FEMA’s records: 51.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 93% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Bob113 claims · $2.8M
- The March 2010 nor’easter3 claims · $16K
- The December Storm - nor’easter1 claim · $2K
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: Plymouth County.13 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Marion
Disasters that paid out in Marion itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Marion), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2022Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$41K to the Town of Marion for repairs
- 2018Severe Winter Storm and Flooding$82K to the Town of Marion for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2015Severe Winter Storm, Snowstorm, and Flooding$70K to the Town of Marion for repairs
- 2013Severe Winter Storm, Snowstorm, and Flooding$46K to the Town of Marion for repairs
- 2012Hurricane Sandy$27K to the Town of Marion for repairs
- 2011Tropical Storm Irene$82K to the Town of Marion for repairs
Show all 13
- 2010Hurricane Earl$11K to the Town of Marion for repairs
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding12 households applied for aid$26K aid approved
- 2007Severe Storms and Inland and Coastal Flooding$10K to the Town of Marion for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
- 2005Severe Storms and Flooding1 households applied for aid$227 aid approved
- 2005Record And/or Near Record Snow$42K to the Town of Marion for repairs
- 2003Snow$15K to the Town of Marion for repairs
- 2003Snow$13K to the Town of Marion for repairs
Plymouth County has had 25 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.
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 →Marion and its neighbors
Marion has the lowest expected damage per building of the 5 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Marion | A−less damage than 76% | river and rain flooding | 136 |
| Bourne | B+less damage than 68% | river and rain flooding | 396 |
| Mattapoisett | B+less damage than 66% | river and rain flooding | 389 |
| Wareham | Bless damage than 61% | river and rain flooding | 750 |
| Rochester | Bless damage than 60% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Weweantic | — | a Census area inside a town; graded with the town | |
| Pocasset | — | a Census area inside a town; graded with the town | |
| Mattapoisett Center | — | a Census area inside a town; graded with the town | |
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 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.
- Know your evacuation zone and the way off the coast.
- Storm surge comes fast: leave when you’re told, not when the water arrives.
- Move cars to high ground before king tides and nor’easters.
- 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.
- 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 lower expected damage per building than 76% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk, #144 of 283 in Massachusetts. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (71%) and coastal flooding (16%). 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.
Does Marion flood?
Flood insurance has paid 136 claims in Marion since 1978, $2.9M in all, or 51.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 93% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 6 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Bob (113).
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 Plymouth County, 52% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 4.3% 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, Tropical Storm Irene (2011): $82K to the Town of Marion for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Bob: 113 paid, $2.8M.
Is Marion at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (71%), and Marion’s rate for it is lower than 64% 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.