FEMA puts Marion Township’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 69% 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 69% of U.S. towns, #228 of 274 in Minnesota. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (84%), then tornadoes (11%). Flood insurance has paid 5 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 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
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 84% of the building damage FEMA expects in Marion Township, and Marion Township’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 81% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 11% (higher than 89% of U.S. census tracts).
C #228 of 274 in Minnesota; higher expected damage per building than 69% 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 Minnesota town has lower expected damage than 57% of U.S. towns; within the state, Marion Township has more expected damage per building than 83% of Minnesota towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.3M a year in losses across Marion Township: $1.6M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Marion Township flood? Rarely: 5 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Marion Township, from FEMA’s records: 2.8 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 53% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
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: Olmsted County.The storms Marion Township remembers
None of the 12 disasters declared for Olmsted County shows FEMA aid or repair money reaching Marion Township itself in FEMA’s records, so these are its biggest flood-claim years.
- 20192 flood claims paidThe year of Severe Winter Storm, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding, declared for Olmsted County
- 19781 flood claims paidThe year of Severe Storms, Flooding, Hail and Tornadoes, declared for Olmsted County
- 20071 flood claims paidThe year of Severe Storms and Flooding, declared for Olmsted County
Olmsted County has had 12 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Haverhill Township | C+more damage than 63% | river and rain flooding | 25 |
| Marion Township | Cmore damage than 69% | river and rain flooding | 5 |
| Rochester Township | C−more damage than 78% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Rochester | C−more damage than 80% | river and rain flooding | 526 |
| Pleasant Grove Township | — | 715 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Eyota Township | — | 615 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 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.
- 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 69% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #228 of 274 in Minnesota. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (84%) and tornadoes (11%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Marion Township flood?
Flood insurance has paid 5 claims in Marion Township since 1978, $618K in all, or 2.8 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 53% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
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 Olmsted County, 16% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.3% 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.
Is Marion Township at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (84%), and Marion Township’s rate for it is higher than 81% 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.