Carson-Young House · Photo: rossograph · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA expects less hazard damage per building in Marion than in 66% of U.S. towns, 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 66% of U.S. towns, #75 of 290 in North Carolina. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (77%). Flood insurance has paid 6 claims here since 2004.
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 Marion’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
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
Ice storms
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 77% of the building damage FEMA expects in Marion, and Marion’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 50% of U.S. census tracts. Ice storms add 6%, at a rate in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts.
B+ #75 of 290 in North Carolina; lower expected damage per building than 66% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Marion’s residents live in 8 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
The typical North Carolina town has lower expected damage than 51% of U.S. towns; within the state, Marion has less expected damage per building than 74% of North Carolina towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.0M a year in losses across Marion: $1.6M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Marion flood? Rarely: 6 flood claims since 2004
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Marion, from FEMA’s records: 1.8 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 64% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Helene3 claims · $697K
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: McDowell County.7 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Marion
Disasters that paid out in Marion itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Marion), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Tropical Storm Helene7,514 households applied for aid$16.8M aid approved$2.7M to the City of Marion for repairs3 flood claims paid for it, $697K
- 2018Tropical Storm Michael$38K to the City of Marion for repairs
- 2018Hurricane Florence$691K to the City of Marion for repairs
- 2009Severe Winter Storms and Flooding$14K to the City of Marion for repairs
- 2004Hurricane Ivan84 households applied for aid$192K aid approved$11K to the City of Marion for repairs
- 2004Tropical Storm Frances120 households applied for aid$349K aid approved$12K to the City of Marion for repairs
Show all 7
- 2002Severe Ice Storm$6K to the City of Marion for repairs
McDowell County has had 16 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often hurricanes and tropical storms, then winter storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
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 is 2nd of the 3 graded towns here, from least expected damage per building to most. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| West Marion | B+less damage than 68% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Marion | B+less damage than 66% | river and rain flooding | 6 |
| Nebo | B−more damage than 54% | river and rain flooding | 11 |
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.
- Ice brings down trees and lines: plan for days without power.
- Run a generator outside, far from doors and windows.
- Keep sand or salt by the door.
- 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 66% of U.S. towns: B+ for hazard risk, #75 of 290 in North Carolina. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (77%) and tornadoes (7%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Marion flood?
Flood insurance has paid 6 claims in Marion since 2004, $781K in all, or 1.8 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 64% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Helene (3).
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 McDowell County, 24% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.7% 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, Tropical Storm Helene (2024): 7,514 households applied for aid, $16.8M approved, and $2.7M to the City of Marion for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Helene: 3 paid, $697K.
Is Marion at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (77%), and Marion’s rate for it is higher than 50% 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.