FEMA expects less hazard damage per building in Marcus Hook than in 72% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Marcus Hook gets a B+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 72% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (73%), then earthquakes (12%). Flood insurance has paid 1 claim here since 2011.
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 Marcus Hook 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
Earthquakes
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 Marcus Hook’s grade
River and rain flooding is 73% of the building damage FEMA expects in Marcus Hook, and Marcus Hook’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 58% of U.S. census tracts. Coastal flooding adds 4%, at a rate in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts.
B+ lower expected damage per building than 72% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Marcus Hook’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.0M a year in losses across Marcus Hook: $850K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Marcus Hook flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 2011
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Marcus Hook, from FEMA’s records: 1.0 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 78% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Irene1 claim · $640
Marcus Hook isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Delaware County.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Marcus Hook
Disasters that paid out in Marcus Hook itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Borough of Marcus Hook), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Remnants of Hurricane Ida218 households applied for aid$202K aid approved
- 2011Tropical Storm Lee3 households applied for aid$3K aid approved
- 2011Hurricane Irene23 households applied for aid$13K aid approved1 flood claim paid for it, $640
- 2004Tropical Depression Ivan2 households applied for aid$625 aid approved
Delaware County has had 19 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often hurricanes and tropical storms, then floods. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Marcus Hook after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Marcus Hook archive →Marcus Hook and its neighbors
Marcus Hook is 3rd of the 4 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lower Chichester Township | A+less damage than 97% | river and rain flooding | 5 |
| Trainer | Aless damage than 87% | river and rain flooding | 17 |
| Marcus Hook | B+less damage than 72% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Logan Township | B−less damage than 55% | river and rain flooding | 25 |
| Linwood | — | a Census area inside a town; graded with the town | |
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 Marcus Hook 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.
- Drop, cover and hold on.
- Strap tall furniture and the water heater to the wall.
- Know how to shut off the gas.
- 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 Marcus Hook
Is Marcus Hook at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Marcus Hook has lower expected damage per building than 72% of U.S. towns: B+ for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (73%) and earthquakes (12%). 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 Marcus Hook flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in Marcus Hook since 2011, $640 in all, or 1.0 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 78% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Hurricane Irene (1).
Is Marcus Hook 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 Delaware County, 39% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.7% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Marcus Hook?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Marcus Hook’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 Marcus Hook?
By FEMA money that reached Marcus Hook, Remnants of Hurricane Ida (2021): 218 households applied for aid, $202K approved. By flood claims, Hurricane Irene: 1 paid, $640.
Is Marcus Hook at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (73%), and Marcus Hook’s rate for it is lower than 58% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Marcus Hook.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Marcus Hook’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.