Photo: Chillin662 · CC BY-SA 4.0On FEMA’s figures, Marks faces more hazard damage per building than 64% of U.S. towns, led by river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Marks gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 64% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (47%), then earthquakes (33%). Flood insurance has paid 53 claims here since 1980.
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 Marks’ natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Marks 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
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 Marks’ grade
River and rain flooding is 47% of the building damage FEMA expects in Marks, and Marks’ rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 59% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 12%, at a rate in the top 9% of U.S. census tracts.
C+ higher expected damage per building than 64% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Marks’ residents live in 2 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $893K a year in losses across Marks: $419K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Marks flood? Sometimes: 53 flood claims since 1980
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Marks, from FEMA’s records: 71.0 per 1,000 homes, more than 95% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Tropical Storm Isidore2 claims · $9K
- The Mid-spring storms1 claim · $5K
- Hurricane Lili1 claim · $238
Marks isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Quitman County.8 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Marks
Disasters that paid out in Marks itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Marks), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2026Severe Winter Storm390 households applied for aid$1.6M aid approved
- 2020Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding1 households applied for aid$22K to the City of Marks for repairs
- 2019Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding$154K to the City of Marks for repairs
- 2016Severe Storms and Flooding153 households applied for aid$415K aid approved$51K to the City of Marks for repairs
- 2015Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding136 households applied for aid$292K aid approved$49K to the City of Marks for repairs
- 2011Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Associated Flooding55 households applied for aid$36K aid approved$7K to the City of Marks for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
Show all 8
- 2005Hurricane Katrina$12K to the City of Marks for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2001Severe Storms, Tornadoes and Flooding$28K to the City of Marks for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
Quitman County has had 18 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then hurricanes and tropical storms.
Old photos of Marks after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Marks archive →Get ready for what Marks 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.
- 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 Marks
Is Marks at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Marks has higher expected damage per building than 64% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (47%) and earthquakes (33%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Marks flood?
Flood insurance has paid 53 claims in Marks since 1980, $556K in all, or 71.0 per 1,000 homes, more than 95% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 8 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Tropical Storm Isidore (2).
Is Marks 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 Quitman County, 5% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 3.2% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Marks?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Marks’ 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 Marks?
By FEMA money that reached Marks, Severe Winter Storm (2026): 390 households applied for aid, $1.6M approved. By flood claims, Tropical Storm Isidore: 2 paid, $9K.
Is Marks at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (47%), and Marks’ rate for it is lower than 59% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Marks.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Marks’ 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.