Photo: Famartin · CC BY-SA 4.0Less hazard damage per building is expected in Marshall than in 76% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Marshall gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 76% of U.S. towns, #152 of 253 in Virginia. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (84%). FEMA’s files show no paid flood insurance claims here.
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 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
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 Marshall’s grade
River and rain flooding is 84% of the building damage FEMA expects in Marshall, and Marshall’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 52% of U.S. census tracts.
A− #152 of 253 in Virginia; lower expected damage per building than 76% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Marshall’s residents live in 2 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
The typical Virginia town has lower expected damage than 81% of U.S. towns; within the state, Marshall has more expected damage per building than 60% of Virginia towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $674K a year in losses across Marshall: $547K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Marshall flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Marshall. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
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: Fauquier County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Marshall
Disasters that paid out in Marshall itself (aid to households or repair grants to Marshall), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2003Hurricane Isabel5 households applied for aid$10K aid approved
Fauquier County has had 17 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then winter storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
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 →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.
- 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 Marshall
Is Marshall at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Marshall has lower expected damage per building than 76% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk, #152 of 253 in Virginia. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (84%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
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 Fauquier County, 7% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.4% 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, Hurricane Isabel (2003): 5 households applied for aid, $10K approved.
Is Marshall at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (84%), and Marshall’s rate for it is lower than 52% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Marshall.
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.