Photo: Sanfranman59 · CC BY-SA 3.0On FEMA’s figures, Magnolia faces about as much hazard damage per building as the typical U.S. town, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Magnolia gets a B− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 50% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (88%). FEMA’s files show no paid flood insurance claims here.
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 Magnolia 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
Hail
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 Magnolia’s grade
River and rain flooding is 88% of the building damage FEMA expects in Magnolia, and Magnolia’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 71% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hail at 5% (higher than 85% of U.S. census tracts).
B− higher expected damage per building than 50% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Magnolia’s residents live in 2 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $271K a year in losses across Magnolia: $235K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Magnolia flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Magnolia. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Magnolia isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Stark County.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Magnolia
Disasters that paid out in Magnolia itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Village of Magnolia), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2006Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight Line Winds, and Flooding14 households applied for aid$3K aid approved
- 2004Severe Storms and Flooding3 households applied for aid$3K aid approved
Stark County has had 9 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.
Old photos of Magnolia after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Magnolia archive →Get ready for what Magnolia 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.
- Park in a garage or under cover when storms are forecast.
- Stay away from windows while it falls.
- Photograph roof and car damage for your insurer.
- 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 Magnolia
Is Magnolia at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Magnolia has higher expected damage per building than 50% of U.S. towns: B− for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (88%) and hail (5%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Is Magnolia 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 Stark County, 26% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.2% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Magnolia?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Magnolia’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 Magnolia?
By FEMA money that reached Magnolia, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight Line Winds, and Flooding (2006): 14 households applied for aid, $3K approved.
Is Magnolia at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (88%), and Magnolia’s rate for it is higher than 71% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Magnolia.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Magnolia’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.