Photo: Jlvshistory · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Marion than in 90% of U.S. towns, mostly from hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Marion gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 90% of U.S. towns, #127 of 169 in South Carolina. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (67%), then river and rain flooding (20%). Flood insurance has paid 39 claims here since 2008.
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 Marion’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Marion faces
Each hazard’s share of the building damage FEMA expects here, and how its rate compares with the rest of the country.
Hurricanes
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 Marion’s grade
Hurricanes are 67% of the building damage FEMA expects in Marion, and Marion’s rate of hurricanes damage is in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts. Next is river and rain flooding at 20% (lower than 76% of U.S. census tracts).
D #127 of 169 in South Carolina; higher expected damage per building than 90% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Marion’s residents live in 3 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
The typical South Carolina town has lower expected damage than 55% of U.S. towns; within the state, Marion has more expected damage per building than 75% of South Carolina towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $5.6M a year in losses across Marion: $3.8M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Marion flood? Sometimes: 39 flood claims since 2008
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Marion, from FEMA’s records: 13.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 78% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Florence20 claims · $738K
- Hurricane Matthew9 claims · $272K
- Hurricane Idalia3 claims · $37K
Marion isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Marion County.9 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Marion
Disasters that paid out in Marion itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Marion), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2019Hurricane Dorian$26K to the City of Marion for repairs
- 2018Hurricane Florence736 households applied for aid$858K aid approved$529K to the City of Marion for repairs20 flood claims paid for it, $738K
- 2016Hurricane Matthew1,573 households applied for aid$2.0M aid approved$118K to the City of Marion for repairs9 flood claims paid for it, $272K
- 2015Severe Storms and Flooding351 households applied for aid$165K aid approved
- 2014Severe Winter Storm$231K to the City of Marion for repairs
- 2004Tropical Storm Frances40 households applied for aid$28K aid approved
Show all 9
- 2004Severe Ice Storm$340K to the City of Marion for repairs
- 2000Severe Winter Storm$87K to the City of Marion for repairs
- 1999Hurricane Floyd Major Disaster Declarations$220K to the City of Marion for repairs
Marion County has had 18 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often hurricanes and tropical storms, then winter storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Marion after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Marion archive →Get ready for what Marion faces
A short kit for the hazards that drive the building damage here, what to check before you buy, and where neighbors get alerts.
- The season runs June through November and peaks from mid-August to mid-October.
- Bring in porch furniture and anything the wind can throw.
- Fill the gas tank and charge phones before the storm arrives.
- 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 Marion
Is Marion at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Marion has higher expected damage per building than 90% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk, #127 of 169 in South Carolina. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (67%) and river and rain flooding (20%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Marion flood?
Flood insurance has paid 39 claims in Marion since 2008, $1.1M in all, or 13.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 78% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 9 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Florence (20).
Is Marion 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 Marion County, 18% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 2.0% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Marion?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Marion’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 Marion?
By FEMA money that reached Marion, Hurricane Matthew (2016): 1,573 households applied for aid, $2.0M approved, and $118K to the City of Marion for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Florence: 20 paid, $738K.
Is Marion at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (67%), and Marion’s rate for it is in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Marion.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Marion’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.