Photo: TCP04 · CC BY 4.0On FEMA’s figures, Marthasville faces more hazard damage per building than 78% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Marthasville gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 78% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (84%). Flood insurance has paid 28 claims here since 1986.
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 Marthasville’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Marthasville 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
Earthquakes
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 Marthasville’s grade
River and rain flooding is 84% of the building damage FEMA expects in Marthasville, and Marthasville’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 86% of U.S. census tracts. Next is earthquakes at 5% (higher than 73% of U.S. census tracts).
C− higher expected damage per building than 78% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Marthasville’s residents live in 2 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.2M a year in losses across Marthasville: $793K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Marthasville flood? Sometimes: 28 flood claims since 1986
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Marthasville, from FEMA’s records: 38.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 91% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Midwest Flooding13 claims · $294K
Marthasville isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Warren County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Marthasville
Disasters that paid out in Marthasville itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Marthasville), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2025Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding1 households applied for aid$770 aid approved
Warren County has had 13 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often floods, then severe storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Marthasville after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Marthasville archive →Get ready for what Marthasville 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.
- Drop, cover and hold on.
- Strap tall furniture and the water heater to the wall.
- Know how to shut off the gas.
- 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 Marthasville
Is Marthasville at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Marthasville has higher expected damage per building than 78% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (84%) and earthquakes (5%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Marthasville flood?
Flood insurance has paid 28 claims in Marthasville since 1986, $524K in all, or 38.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 91% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 4 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Midwest Flooding (13).
Is Marthasville 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 Warren County, 12% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.2% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Marthasville?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Marthasville’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 Marthasville?
By FEMA money that reached Marthasville, Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2025): 1 households applied for aid, $770 approved. By flood claims, Midwest Flooding: 13 paid, $294K.
Is Marthasville at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (84%), and Marthasville’s rate for it is higher than 86% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Marthasville.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Marthasville’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.