Photo: Dofftoubab · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA expects about as much hazard damage per building in Marion as in the typical U.S. town, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Marion gets a B− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 54% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (64%), then tornadoes (17%). Flood insurance has paid 4 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 Marion 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
Hurricanes
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’s grade
River and rain flooding is 64% of the building damage FEMA expects in Marion, and Marion’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 54% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 17%, at a rate in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts.
B− lower expected damage per building than 54% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Marion’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 Marion: $525K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Marion flood? Rarely: 4 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Marion, from FEMA’s records: 5.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 61% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The 2026-06-Arthur-TS1 claim · $19K
Marion isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Lauderdale County.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Marion
Disasters that paid out in Marion itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Marion), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2005Hurricane Katrina221 households applied for aid$157K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2004Hurricane Ivan24 households applied for aid$10K aid approved
- 2003Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Floods8 households applied for aid$55K aid approved
Lauderdale County has had 19 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then hurricanes and tropical storms.
Old photos of Marion after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Marion archive →Marion and its neighbors
Marion has the lowest expected damage per building of the 2 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Marion | B−less damage than 54% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
| Meridian | B−more damage than 53% | river and rain flooding | 126 |
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 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.
- The season runs June through November and peaks from mid-August to mid-October.
- Bring in porch furniture and anything the wind can throw.
- Fill the gas tank and charge phones before the storm arrives.
- 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
Is Marion at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Marion has lower expected damage per building than 54% of U.S. towns: B− for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (64%) and tornadoes (17%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Marion flood?
Flood insurance has paid 4 claims in Marion since 1979, $81K in all, or 5.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 61% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from 2026-06-Arthur-TS (1).
Is Marion 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 Lauderdale County, 19% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.1% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Marion?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Marion’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 Marion?
By FEMA money that reached Marion, Hurricane Katrina (2005): 221 households applied for aid, $157K approved. By flood claims, 2026-06-Arthur-TS: 1 paid, $19K.
Is Marion at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (64%), and Marion’s rate for it is lower than 54% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Marion.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Marion’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.