Photo: Mitchazenia · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA puts Marceline’s expected hazard damage per building below that of 60% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Marceline gets a B for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 60% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (75%), then tornadoes (14%). Flood insurance has paid 2 claims here since 1982.
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 Marceline 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 Marceline’s grade
River and rain flooding is 75% of the building damage FEMA expects in Marceline, and Marceline’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 53% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 14% (higher than 87% of U.S. census tracts).
B lower expected damage per building than 60% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Marceline’s residents live in 2 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.1M a year in losses across Marceline: $612K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Marceline flood? Rarely: 2 flood claims since 1982
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Marceline, from FEMA’s records: 2.0 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 62% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Marceline isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Linn County.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Marceline
Disasters that paid out in Marceline itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Marceline), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2011Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$10K to the City of Marceline for repairs
- 2008Severe Storms, Flooding, and a Tornado2 households applied for aid$156 aid approved$1.2M to the City of Marceline for repairs
- 2008Severe Storms and Flooding3 households applied for aid$13K aid approved
- 2002Severe Winter Ice Storm$132K to the City of Marceline for repairs
Linn County has had 18 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 Marceline after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Marceline archive →Get ready for what Marceline 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 Marceline
Is Marceline at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Marceline has lower expected damage per building than 60% of U.S. towns: B for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (75%) and tornadoes (14%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Marceline flood?
Flood insurance has paid 2 claims in Marceline since 1982, $3K in all, or 2.0 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 62% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once.
Is Marceline 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 Linn County, 1% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.1% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Marceline?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Marceline’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 Marceline?
By FEMA money that reached Marceline, Severe Storms, Flooding, and a Tornado (2008): 2 households applied for aid, $156 approved, and $1.2M to the City of Marceline for repairs.
Is Marceline at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (75%), and Marceline’s rate for it is higher than 53% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Marceline.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Marceline’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.