Photo: Jon Platek · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA puts Marshall’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 86% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Marshall gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 86% of U.S. towns, #265 of 274 in Minnesota. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (88%). Flood insurance has paid 18 claims here since 1979.
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 Marshall 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 Marshall’s grade
River and rain flooding is 88% of the building damage FEMA expects in Marshall, and Marshall’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts. Winter storms add 2%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
D #265 of 274 in Minnesota; higher expected damage per building than 86% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Marshall’s residents live in 4 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, Marshall has more expected damage per building than 97% of Minnesota towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $11.0M a year in losses across Marshall: $8.4M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Marshall flood? Sometimes: 18 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Marshall, from FEMA’s records: 2.9 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 53% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Severe flooding4 claims · $15K
Marshall isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Lyon County.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Marshall
Disasters that paid out in Marshall itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Marshall), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2019Severe Winter Storm, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding$32K to the City of Marshall for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2018Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding$39K to the City of Marshall for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2011Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes$205K to the City of Marshall for repairs
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding$22K to the City of Marshall for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
Lyon County has had 15 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 Marshall after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Marshall archive →Marshall and its neighbors
Marshall 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Marshall | Dmore damage than 86% | river and rain flooding | 18 |
| Fairview Township | — | 519 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Lake Marshall Township | — | 642 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Lynd Township | — | 399 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Grandview Township | — | 199 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 Marshall 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 Marshall
Is Marshall at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Marshall has higher expected damage per building than 86% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk, #265 of 274 in Minnesota. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (88%) and tornadoes (8%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Marshall flood?
Flood insurance has paid 18 claims in Marshall since 1979, $75K in all, or 2.9 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 53% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Severe flooding (4).
Is Marshall 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 Lyon County, 11% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.3% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Marshall?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Marshall’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 Marshall?
By FEMA money that reached Marshall, Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes (2011): $205K to the City of Marshall for repairs. By flood claims, Severe flooding: 4 paid, $15K.
Is Marshall at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (88%), and Marshall’s rate for it is in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Marshall.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Marshall’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.