Photo: Tim Kiser (w:User:Malepheasant) · CC BY-SA 2.5FEMA expects about as much hazard damage per building in Marietta Township as in the typical U.S. town, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Marietta Township gets a B− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 52% of U.S. towns, #831 of 993 in Ohio. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (91%). Flood insurance has paid 23 claims here since 1979.
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 Marietta Township 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 Marietta Township’s grade
River and rain flooding is 91% of the building damage FEMA expects in Marietta Township, and Marietta Township’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 74% of U.S. census tracts.
B− #831 of 993 in Ohio; higher expected damage per building than 52% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Marietta Township’s residents live in 7 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
The typical Ohio town has lower expected damage than 79% of U.S. towns; within the state, Marietta Township has more expected damage per building than 84% of Ohio towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.3M a year in losses across Marietta Township: $1.2M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Marietta Township flood? Sometimes: 23 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Marietta Township, from FEMA’s records: 11.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 76% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Tropical Storm Ivan12 claims · $407K
Marietta Township isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Washington County.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Marietta Township
Disasters that paid out in Marietta Township itself (aid to households or repair grants to Marietta Township), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2019Severe Storms, Flooding, and Landslides$36K to Marietta Township for repairs
- 2018Severe Storms, Landslides, and Mudslides$7K to Marietta Township for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2004Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides$17K to Marietta Township for repairs
- 2004Severe Storms and Flooding$15K to Marietta Township for repairs
- 2004Severe Storms, Flooding, Mudslides, and Landslides$19K to Marietta Township for repairs
- 2003Severe Winter Storm and Record/near Record Snow$5K to Marietta Township for repairs
Washington County has had 16 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then floods. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Marietta Township after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Marietta Township archive →Marietta Township and its neighbors
Marietta Township is 3rd of the 6 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Warren Township | Aless damage than 89% | river and rain flooding | 5 |
| Reno | B−more damage than 51% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Marietta Township | B−more damage than 52% | river and rain flooding | 23 |
| Muskingum Township | Cmore damage than 68% | river and rain flooding | 42 |
| Marietta | C−more damage than 76% | river and rain flooding | 604 |
| Newport Township | Dmore damage than 91% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Fearing Township | — | 973 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Lawrence Township | — | not graded yet | |
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 Marietta Township 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 Marietta Township
Is Marietta Township at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Marietta Township has higher expected damage per building than 52% of U.S. towns: B− for hazard risk, #831 of 993 in Ohio. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (91%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Marietta Township flood?
Flood insurance has paid 23 claims in Marietta Township since 1979, $518K in all, or 11.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 76% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Tropical Storm Ivan (12).
Is Marietta Township 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 Washington County, 11% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.2% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Marietta Township?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Marietta Township’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 Marietta Township?
By FEMA money that reached Marietta Township, Severe Storms, Flooding, and Landslides (2019): $36K to Marietta Township for repairs. By flood claims, Tropical Storm Ivan: 12 paid, $407K.
Is Marietta Township at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (91%), and Marietta Township’s rate for it is higher than 74% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Marietta Township.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Marietta Township’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.