Photo: Renegomezphotography · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA puts Marlin’s expected hazard damage per building below that of 90% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Marlin gets an A for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 90% of U.S. towns, #42 of 642 in Texas. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (63%), then tornadoes (21%). Flood insurance has paid 3 claims here since 1987.
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 Marlin 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 Marlin’s grade
River and rain flooding is 63% of the building damage FEMA expects in Marlin, and Marlin’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 86% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 21% (higher than 86% of U.S. census tracts).
A #42 of 642 in Texas; lower expected damage per building than 90% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Marlin’s residents live in 3 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, Marlin has less expected damage per building than 94% of Texas towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.7M a year in losses across Marlin: $788K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Marlin flood? Rarely: 3 flood claims since 1987
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Marlin, from FEMA’s records: 1.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 74% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Marlin isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Falls County.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Marlin
Disasters that paid out in Marlin itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Marlin), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding787 households applied for aid$1.6M aid approved$271K to the City of Marlin for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2021Severe Winter Storms311 households applied for aid$174K aid approved$27K to the City of Marlin for repairs
Falls County has had 11 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 Marlin after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Marlin archive →Get ready for what Marlin 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 Marlin
Is Marlin at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Marlin has lower expected damage per building than 90% of U.S. towns: A for hazard risk, #42 of 642 in Texas. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (63%) and tornadoes (21%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Marlin flood?
Flood insurance has paid 3 claims in Marlin since 1987, $111K in all, or 1.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 74% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Marlin 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 Falls County, 0.0% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Marlin?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Marlin’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 Marlin?
By FEMA money that reached Marlin, Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2024): 787 households applied for aid, $1.6M approved, and $271K to the City of Marlin for repairs.
Is Marlin at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (63%), and Marlin’s rate for it is lower than 86% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Marlin.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Marlin’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.