Photo: Tony Webster from Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States · CC BY 2.0Less hazard damage per building is expected in Marquette than in 98% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Marquette gets an A+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 98% of U.S. towns, #16 of 701 in Michigan. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (61%), then hail (35%). Flood insurance has paid 1 claim here since 1999.
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 Marquette 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
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 Marquette’s grade
River and rain flooding is 61% of the building damage FEMA expects in Marquette, and Marquette’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 95% of U.S. census tracts. Hail adds 35%, at a rate in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts.
A+ #16 of 701 in Michigan; lower expected damage per building than 98% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Marquette’s residents live in 10 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
The typical Michigan town has lower expected damage than 77% of U.S. towns; within the state, Marquette has less expected damage per building than 98% of Michigan towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $7.4M a year in losses across Marquette: $3.0M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Marquette flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 1999
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Marquette, from FEMA’s records: 0.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 99% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Marquette isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Marquette County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Marquette
Disasters that paid out in Marquette itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Marquette), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 1999Mi - Severe Weather 1/2 /99$28K to the City of Marquette for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
Marquette County has had 7 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often floods, then winter 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 Marquette County, 1999–1999.
Old photos of Marquette after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Marquette archive →Marquette and its neighbors
Marquette has the lowest expected damage per building of the 3 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Marquette | A+less damage than 98% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Marquette Township | A+less damage than 97% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Sands Township | B+less damage than 70% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Trowbridge Park | — | a Census area inside a town; graded with the town | |
| Harvey | — | 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 Marquette 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.
- 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 Marquette
Is Marquette at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Marquette has lower expected damage per building than 98% of U.S. towns: A+ for hazard risk, #16 of 701 in Michigan. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (61%) and hail (35%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Marquette flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in Marquette since 1999, $4K in all, or 0.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 99% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Marquette 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 Marquette County, 11% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.2% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Marquette?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Marquette’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 Marquette?
By FEMA money that reached Marquette, Mi - Severe Weather 1/2 /99 (1999): $28K to the City of Marquette for repairs.
Is Marquette at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (61%), and Marquette’s rate for it is lower than 95% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Marquette.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Marquette’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.