Photo: Mvincec · Public domainLess hazard damage per building is expected in Mars than in 73% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Mars gets a B+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 73% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (94%). Flood insurance has paid 5 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 Mars 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 Mars’ grade
River and rain flooding is 94% of the building damage FEMA expects in Mars, and Mars’ rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 58% of U.S. census tracts.
B+ lower expected damage per building than 73% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Mars’ residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $370K a year in losses across Mars: $342K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Mars flood? Rarely: 5 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Mars, from FEMA’s records: 7.6 per 1,000 homes, more than 69% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Tropical Storm Ivan2 claims · $148K
Mars isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Butler County.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Mars
Disasters that paid out in Mars itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Borough of Mars), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2004Tropical Depression Ivan23 households applied for aid$84K aid approved2 flood claims paid for it, $148K
- 2004Severe Storms and Flooding Associated with Tropical Depression Frances2 households applied for aid$860 aid approved
Butler County has had 8 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often floods, then hurricanes and tropical storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Mars after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Mars archive →Get ready for what Mars 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 Mars
Is Mars at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Mars has lower expected damage per building than 73% of U.S. towns: B+ for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (94%). 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 Mars flood?
Flood insurance has paid 5 claims in Mars since 1978, $152K in all, or 7.6 per 1,000 homes, more than 69% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Tropical Storm Ivan (2).
Is Mars 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 Butler County, 20% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.5% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Mars?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Mars’ 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 Mars?
By FEMA money that reached Mars, Tropical Depression Ivan (2004): 23 households applied for aid, $84K approved. By flood claims, Tropical Storm Ivan: 2 paid, $148K.
Is Mars at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (94%), and Mars’ rate for it is higher than 58% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Mars.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Mars’ 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.