Photo: Tim Kiser (w:User:Malepheasant) · CC BY-SA 2.5On FEMA’s figures, Marietta faces more hazard damage per building than 76% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Marietta gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 76% of U.S. towns, #939 of 993 in Ohio. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (93%). Flood insurance has paid 604 claims here since 1978.
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 Marietta’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Marietta 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’s grade
River and rain flooding is 93% of the building damage FEMA expects in Marietta, and Marietta’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 88% of U.S. census tracts.
C− #939 of 993 in Ohio; higher expected damage per building than 76% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Marietta’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 has more expected damage per building than 95% of Ohio towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $6.6M a year in losses across Marietta: $6.1M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Marietta flood? Yes: 604 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Marietta, from FEMA’s records: 88.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 96% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Tropical Storm Ivan234 claims · $6.1M
Marietta 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.7 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Marietta
Disasters that paid out in Marietta itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Marietta), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2018Severe Storms, Landslides, and Mudslides$73K to the City of Marietta for repairs7 flood claims paid that year
- 2012Severe Storms and Straight-line Winds$114K to the City of Marietta for repairs
- 2011Severe Storms and Flooding$44K to the City of Marietta for repairs9 flood claims paid that year
- 2004Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides68 households applied for aid$117K aid approved$176K to the City of Marietta for repairs
- 2004Severe Storms and Flooding751 households applied for aid$3.0M aid approved$605K to the City of Marietta for repairs
- 2004Severe Storms, Flooding, Mudslides, and Landslides39 households applied for aid$30K aid approved$15K to the City of Marietta for repairs
Show all 7
- 2003Severe Winter Storm and Record/near Record Snow$19K to the City of Marietta for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
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 after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Marietta archive →Marietta and its neighbors
Marietta is 5th of the 5 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 |
| Marietta Township | B−more damage than 52% | river and rain flooding | 23 |
| Williamstown | Cmore damage than 65% | river and rain flooding | 52 |
| Muskingum Township | Cmore damage than 68% | river and rain flooding | 42 |
| Marietta | C−more damage than 76% | river and rain flooding | 604 |
| Fearing Township | — | 973 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 Marietta 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
Is Marietta at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Marietta has higher expected damage per building than 76% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #939 of 993 in Ohio. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (93%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Marietta flood?
Flood insurance has paid 604 claims in Marietta since 1978, $10.7M in all, or 88.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 96% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 123 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Tropical Storm Ivan (234).
Is Marietta 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?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Marietta’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?
By FEMA money that reached Marietta, Severe Storms and Flooding (2004): 751 households applied for aid, $3.0M approved, and $605K to the City of Marietta for repairs. By flood claims, Tropical Storm Ivan: 234 paid, $6.1M.
Is Marietta at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (93%), and Marietta’s rate for it is higher than 88% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Marietta.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Marietta’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.