Photo: Larry D. Moore · CC BY 4.0On FEMA’s figures, Marble Falls faces more hazard damage per building than 75% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Marble Falls gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 75% of U.S. towns, #517 of 642 in Texas. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (81%). Flood insurance has paid 99 claims here since 1980.
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 Marble Falls’ natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Marble Falls 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
Tornadoes
Hail
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 Marble Falls’ grade
River and rain flooding is 81% of the building damage FEMA expects in Marble Falls, and Marble Falls’ rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 83% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 4%, at a rate in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts.
C− #517 of 642 in Texas; higher expected damage per building than 75% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Marble Falls’ residents live in 4 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
The typical Texas town has higher expected damage than 50% of U.S. towns; within the state, Marble Falls has more expected damage per building than 80% of Texas towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $4.5M a year in losses across Marble Falls: $3.3M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Marble Falls flood? Sometimes: 99 flood claims since 1980
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Marble Falls, from FEMA’s records: 28.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 88% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Fall 2018 Texas Flooding33 claims · $4.4M
- The Thunderstorms30 claims · $1.5M
- The 2025 July Central TX Flooding1 claim · $17K
Marble Falls isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Burnet County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Marble Falls
Disasters that paid out in Marble Falls itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Marble Falls), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2025Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding147 households applied for aid$1.1M aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2021Severe Winter Storms70 households applied for aid$37K aid approved$92K to the City of Marble Falls for repairs
- 2018Severe Storms and Flooding$314K to the City of Marble Falls for repairs34 flood claims paid that year
- 2007Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding289 households applied for aid$871K aid approved$1.5M to the City of Marble Falls for repairs33 flood claims paid that year
- 2005Hurricane Katrina Evacuation$8K to the City of Marble Falls for repairs
Burnet County has had 17 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.
Also 2 FEMA wildfire suppression grants (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Burnet County, 1999–2018.
Old photos of Marble Falls after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Marble Falls archive →Marble Falls and its neighbors
Marble Falls has the lowest expected damage per building of the 2 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Marble Falls | C−more damage than 75% | river and rain flooding | 99 |
| Meadowlakes | Dmore damage than 85% | river and rain flooding | 17 |
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 Marble Falls 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.
- Pick your spot now: the lowest floor, an inside room, no windows.
- A watch means be ready; a warning means take cover now.
- Keep shoes and a flashlight by the bed.
- Park in a garage or under cover when storms are forecast.
- Stay away from windows while it falls.
- Photograph roof and car damage for your insurer.
- 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 Marble Falls
Is Marble Falls at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Marble Falls has higher expected damage per building than 75% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #517 of 642 in Texas. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (81%) and tornadoes (6%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Marble Falls flood?
Flood insurance has paid 99 claims in Marble Falls since 1980, $6.8M in all, or 28.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 88% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 9 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Fall 2018 Texas Flooding (33).
Is Marble Falls 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 Burnet County, 53% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 5.0% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Marble Falls?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Marble Falls’ 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 Marble Falls?
By FEMA money that reached Marble Falls, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2007): 289 households applied for aid, $871K approved, and $1.5M to the City of Marble Falls for repairs. By flood claims, Fall 2018 Texas Flooding: 33 paid, $4.4M.
Is Marble Falls at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (81%), and Marble Falls’ rate for it is higher than 83% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Marble Falls.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Marble Falls’ 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.