Natural Disaster Risk in Marion County

Natural Hazard Profile: Marion County, Texas

Marion County, in the United States in Texas, is characterized by its diverse climate — an exceptionally varied climate from humid subtropical in the east to desert in the west. The county faces overlapping tornado, hurricane, flood, and drought seasons, and its FEMA risk assessment establishes the hazard baseline shared by all the towns and cities it contains.

Marion County's overall natural disaster risk is rated 5.7/10 (Moderate) by FEMA's National Risk Index. Freezing rain and ice accretion are the primary winter hazard, with glaze ice events capable of downing power lines, snapping tree limbs, and making roads impassable for days. Secondary hazards include wind and drought.

Within Texas, Marion County's risk is, near the 5.6/10 state average. Nationally, it ranks above the U.S. national average of 4.5/10. FEMA's analysis of Marion County identifies ice storm as the foremost hazard, followed by wind and drought. These rankings reflect the relative frequency and severity of each hazard type in the local environment.

With a moderate risk rating, Marion County residents are well-served by maintaining standard preparedness practices — an emergency supply kit, awareness of local hazard seasonality, and insurance that covers the top local risks. Periodic review of coverage for ice storm is recommended.