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Marshall US Post OfficeMarshall US Post Office · Photo: Michael Barera · CC BY-SA 4.0
A−Hazard risk
Natural hazards in Marshall · FEMA

FEMA puts Marshall’s expected hazard damage per building below that of 78% of U.S. towns, led by river and rain flooding

On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Marshall gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 78% of U.S. towns, #122 of 642 in Texas. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (42%), then tornadoes (21%). Flood insurance has paid 27 claims here since 1991.

River and rain flooding 42%Tornadoes 21%Ice storms 18%

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

less than 78%of U.S. townsLess damageMoreExpected yearly damage per dollar of building, vs. the 21,298 U.S. towns we grade#122 of 642 in Texas
Hazard risk
A−#122 of 642
in Texas · lower than 78% of U.S. towns
Main hazard
River and rain flooding
42% of expected building damage
Flood claims
27
paid since 1991 · $935K
Flooded more than once
3
properties
Disasters paid out here
8
of 21 declared for Harrison County

What stands out about Marshall’s natural hazards

From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.

Lower expected damage than 78% of U.S. townsFEMA’s model of yearly storm and flood damage per dollar of building.Made safer with FEMA grants1 storm safe room built with FEMA grants.Remembers 199110 flood claims were paid for 1991 alone, the most of any year.
By hazard

What Marshall 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

42%of expected building damage
Well below average · lower than 93% of U.S. census tracts
Recorded about 2 times a year in the area

Tornadoes

21%of expected building damage
Well above average · in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts

Ice storms

18%of expected building damage
Well above average · in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts
Recorded about 2 times a year in the area

Hail

10%of expected building damage
Well above average · higher than 89% of U.S. census tracts
Recorded about 6 times a year in the area
Smaller shares here
 Hurricanes Earthquakes Strong wind Wildfire Winter storms Lightning Cold waves Heat waves Landslides
FEMA models no building damage here
Coastal floodingAvalanchesTsunamisVolcanic activity
People, not buildings.Counting harm to people as well as buildings, FEMA’s model puts cold waves at 19% of Marshall’s expected losses. Cold waves do little damage to buildings (0.1%), so they aren’t part of the grade.

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.

Flood risk changes street by street. Check a specific address on FEMA’s flood map, and ask about flood insurance before you buy.
Hazard risk grade

What’s behind Marshall’s grade

River and rain flooding is 42% of the building damage FEMA expects in Marshall, and Marshall’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 93% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 21%, at a rate in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts.

Where Marshall sits
Marshall
Least damageMiddleMost damage

A− #122 of 642 in Texas; lower expected damage per building than 78% of U.S. towns (21,298).

Marshall’s residents live in 8 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.

What drives the damage to buildings
River and rain flooding42%Tornadoes21%Ice storms18%Everything else20%

The typical Texas town has higher expected damage than 50% of U.S. towns; within the state, Marshall has less expected damage per building than 81% of Texas towns.

In dollars, FEMA expects about $8.9M a year in losses across Marshall: $4.2M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.

Recent disaster.FEMA’s model looks at expected damage to the buildings standing today. After Severe Winter Storms in 2021, FEMA took 876 aid registrations from Marshall addresses (the town has 10,007 homes).
A firm figure. It combines 8 census tracts by where Marshall’s residents live. FEMA’s model is an average year for today’s buildings, not a record: the claims and disasters below are the record.

How TownRatings grades hazard risk →

Flood insurance claims

Does Marshall flood? Sometimes: 27 flood claims since 1991

Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Marshall, from FEMA’s records: 2.7 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 54% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.

Paid flood claims, by year
1991: 10 claims1992: 0 claims1993: 1 claim1994: 0 claims1995: 0 claims1996: 0 claims1997: 2 claims1998: 0 claims1999: 0 claims2000: 0 claims2001: 0 claims2002: 0 claims2003: 0 claims2004: 0 claims2005: 0 claims2006: 0 claims2007: 1 claim2008: 0 claims2009: 2 claims2010: 0 claims2011: 0 claims2012: 0 claims2013: 0 claims2014: 0 claims2015: 6 claims2016: 0 claims2017: 0 claims2018: 0 claims2019: 0 claims2020: 0 claims2021: 2 claims2022: 0 claims2023: 0 claims2024: 1 claim2025: 0 claims2026: 2 claims199119972015
19912026
Biggest named events
  • The 2026-06-Arthur-TS2 claims · $118K
27
paid claims since 1991
$935K
paid to owners
3
homes flooded more than once
$35K
average claim
Homes that flooded again and again
FEMA “severe repetitive loss” (0)Flooded 2+ times
of homes in flood zones are insured
of all homes are insured
No community discount

Marshall isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.

Insurance rates: Harrison County.
What’s been done with FEMA grants
1storm safe room built
Disasters

8 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Marshall

Disasters that paid out in Marshall itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Marshall), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.

  1. 2021Severe Winter Storms876 households applied for aid$690K aid approved2 flood claims paid that year
  2. 2017Hurricane Harvey1 households applied for aid$500 aid approved
  3. 2016Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding57 households applied for aid$67K aid approved
  4. 2015Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds and Flooding143 households applied for aid$107K aid approved$95K to the City of Marshall for repairs6 flood claims paid that year
  5. 2008Hurricane Ike152 households applied for aid$47K aid approved$202K to the City of Marshall for repairs
  6. 2005Hurricane Rita2 households applied for aid$2K aid approved$60K to the City of Marshall for repairs
Show all 8
  1. 2005Hurricane Katrina Evacuation$35K to the City of Marshall for repairs
  2. 2000Severe Winter Ice Storm$105K to the City of Marshall for repairs
Disasters declared, by decade
Paid out in MarshallHarrison County only

Harrison County has had 21 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then hurricanes and tropical storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.

Were you here?

Old photos of Marshall after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.

Add to the Marshall archive →
Be ready

Get ready for what Marshall faces

A short kit for the hazards that drive the building damage here, what to check before you buy, and where neighbors get alerts.

When the river rises
  • 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.
More from Ready.gov ↗
Tornado warnings
  • 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.
More from Ready.gov ↗
Ice storms
  • Ice brings down trees and lines: plan for days without power.
  • Run a generator outside, far from doors and windows.
  • Keep sand or salt by the door.
More from Ready.gov ↗
Hail
  • 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.
More from Ready.gov ↗
Before you buy or rent
  • 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.
When a storm is coming
Forecast and alertsWeather →911, the nearest ERSafety →

Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.

Questions about natural hazards in Marshall

Is Marshall at risk for natural disasters?

On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Marshall has lower expected damage per building than 78% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk, #122 of 642 in Texas. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (42%) and tornadoes (21%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.

Does Marshall flood?

Flood insurance has paid 27 claims in Marshall since 1991, $935K in all, or 2.7 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 54% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 3 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from 2026-06-Arthur-TS (2).

Is Marshall 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 Harrison County, 9% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.5% of all homes do.

How much is flood insurance in Marshall?

FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Marshall’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 Marshall?

By FEMA money that reached Marshall, Severe Winter Storms (2021): 876 households applied for aid, $690K approved. By flood claims, 2026-06-Arthur-TS: 2 paid, $118K.

Is Marshall at risk from river and rain flooding?

It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (42%), and Marshall’s rate for it is lower than 93% of U.S. census tracts.

Storm stories

Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Marshall.

Town Square →
Start the conversation

Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Marshall’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.