Jones Hall · Photo: John Phelan · CC BY-SA 3.0Storms, floods and disasters in Marlow
Marlow isn’t graded for hazard risk: Marlow has 855 residents; we grade towns of 1,000 or more. Flood insurance has paid 6 claims here since 1987.
What Marlow 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
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.
Does Marlow flood? Rarely: 6 flood claims since 1987
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Marlow, from FEMA’s records.
Marlow isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Cheshire County.13 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Marlow
Disasters that paid out in Marlow itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Marlow), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2023Severe Storms and Flooding$14K to the Town of Marlow for repairs
- 2021Severe Storm and Flooding$18K to the Town of Marlow for repairs
- 2021Severe Storm and Flooding$4K to the Town of Marlow for repairs
- 2013Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding$23K to the Town of Marlow for repairs
- 2013Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$3K to the Town of Marlow for repairs
- 2012Hurricane Sandy$1K to the Town of Marlow for repairs
Show all 13
- 2012Severe Storm and Flooding$4K to the Town of Marlow for repairs
- 2008Severe Winter Storm$29K to the Town of Marlow for repairs
- 2007Severe Storms and Flooding$11K to the Town of Marlow for repairs
- 2005Severe Storms and Flooding11 households applied for aid$15K aid approved$47K to the Town of Marlow for repairs
- 2005Record Snow$3K to the Town of Marlow for repairs
- 2005Record Snow$2K to the Town of Marlow for repairs
- 2005Record And/or Near Record Snow$2K to the Town of Marlow for repairs
Cheshire County has had 27 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.
Also 1 FEMA wildfire suppression grant (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Cheshire County, 2016–2016.
Old photos of Marlow after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Marlow archive →Marlow and its neighbors
How expected damage per building compares across the town line. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Washington | Cmore damage than 67% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Lempster | Cmore damage than 67% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Alstead | Cmore damage than 74% | river and rain flooding | 8 |
| Gilsum | — | 716 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
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 Marlow 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.
- 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 Marlow
Does Marlow flood?
Flood insurance has paid 6 claims in Marlow since 1987, $153K in all. 1 properties have flooded more than once.
Is Marlow 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 Cheshire County, 21% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.9% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Marlow?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Marlow’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 Marlow?
By FEMA money that reached Marlow, Severe Storms and Flooding (2005): 11 households applied for aid, $15K approved, and $47K to the Town of Marlow for repairs.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Marlow.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Marlow’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.