Photo: Roseohioresident · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA expects about as much hazard damage per building in Malvern as in the typical U.S. town, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Malvern gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 59% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (90%). Flood insurance has paid 6 claims here since 1996.
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 Malvern 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.
What’s behind Malvern’s grade
River and rain flooding is 90% of the building damage FEMA expects in Malvern, and Malvern’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 78% of U.S. census tracts.
C+ higher expected damage per building than 59% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Malvern’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $351K a year in losses across Malvern: $307K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Malvern flood? Rarely: 6 flood claims since 1996
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Malvern, from FEMA’s records: 8.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 71% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Malvern isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Carroll County.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Malvern
Disasters that paid out in Malvern itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Village of Malvern), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2008Severe Wind Storm Associated with Tropical Depression Ike$10K to the Village of Malvern for repairs
- 2004Severe Storms and Flooding73 households applied for aid$199K aid approved$7K to the Village of Malvern for repairs
- 2004Severe Storms and Flooding8 households applied for aid$21K aid approved$4K to the Village of Malvern for repairs
- 2003Tornadoes, Flooding, Severe Storms, and High Winds3 households applied for aid$7K aid approved$5K to the Village of Malvern for repairs
Carroll County has had 8 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 Malvern after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Malvern archive →Get ready for what Malvern 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 Malvern
Is Malvern at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Malvern has higher expected damage per building than 59% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (90%). The figures are for the one census tract the town shares with its neighbors. This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Malvern flood?
Flood insurance has paid 6 claims in Malvern since 1996, $20K in all, or 8.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 71% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once.
Is Malvern 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 Carroll County, 13% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.4% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Malvern?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Malvern’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 Malvern?
By FEMA money that reached Malvern, Severe Storms and Flooding (2004): 73 households applied for aid, $199K approved, and $7K to the Village of Malvern for repairs.
Is Malvern at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (90%), and Malvern’s rate for it is higher than 78% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Malvern.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Malvern’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.