Natural Disaster Risk in Marshall

Natural Hazard Profile: Marshall, North Carolina

Marshall is a city of approximately 10,389 residents in Madison County, in the interior eastern United States. The area experiences hot, humid summers and four distinct seasons, with a hurricane and tropical storm season affecting the coast shaping the pattern of natural hazards that residents encounter. Understanding the local risk profile is essential for anyone living in, moving to, or owning property in Marshall.

FEMA rates Marshall's composite natural disaster risk at 5.1 out of 10 — moderate risk. The area faces significant landslide risk, where mountainous topography and saturated soils during wet periods combine to create hazardous mass movement conditions. Residents should also account for lightning and ice storm risk in their preparedness planning.

Marshall's risk score, slightly below the 6.2/10 state average and above the U.S. national average of 4.5/10. Of the 18 hazard categories tracked by FEMA for Madison County, the highest-scoring are landslide, lightning, and ice storm. These scores reflect county-level data and represent the baseline risk that all communities in the county share.

Marshall's moderate risk profile means that while catastrophic events are less frequent, they do occur. Standard homeowners insurance typically covers many common hazards here, but confirming that landslide exposure is adequately protected is a worthwhile step for property owners.