Stately Oaks · Photo: Maksim Sundukov · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA puts Morrow’s expected hazard damage per building below that of 84% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Morrow gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 84% of U.S. towns, #58 of 264 in Georgia. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (65%), then tornadoes (19%). Flood insurance has paid 9 claims here since 2002.
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 stands out about Morrow’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Morrow 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
Earthquakes
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 Morrow’s grade
River and rain flooding is 65% of the building damage FEMA expects in Morrow, and Morrow’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 75% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 19% (higher than 85% of U.S. census tracts).
A− #58 of 264 in Georgia; lower expected damage per building than 84% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Morrow’s residents live in 6 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
The typical Georgia town has lower expected damage than 72% of U.S. towns; within the state, Morrow has less expected damage per building than 78% of Georgia towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.2M a year in losses across Morrow: $832K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Morrow flood? Rarely: 9 flood claims since 2002
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Morrow, from FEMA’s records: 4.9 per 1,000 homes, more than 60% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Dennis2 claims · $19K
- The Early winter storms1 claim · $12K
- Hurricane Helene1 claim · $36K
Morrow is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 7) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Clayton County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Morrow
Disasters that paid out in Morrow itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Morrow), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2004Hurricane Ivan10 households applied for aid$20K aid approved
Clayton County has had 11 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often hurricanes and tropical storms, then severe storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Morrow after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Morrow archive →Morrow and its neighbors
Morrow is 3rd of the 3 graded towns here, from least expected damage per building to most. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lake City | Aless damage than 92% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Forest Park | Aless damage than 87% | river and rain flooding | 11 |
| Morrow | A−less damage than 84% | river and rain flooding | 9 |
Hazard risk = FEMA’s expected yearly building damage per dollar of building value, vs. the 21,298 U.S. towns we grade; the map is shaded by fifths of the same scale. Flood claims = paid federal flood insurance claims on record.
Get ready for what Morrow 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.
- Drop, cover and hold on.
- Strap tall furniture and the water heater to the wall.
- Know how to shut off the gas.
- 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.
- Morrow residents get 15% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Morrow
Is Morrow at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Morrow has lower expected damage per building than 84% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk, #58 of 264 in Georgia. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (65%) and tornadoes (19%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Morrow flood?
Flood insurance has paid 9 claims in Morrow since 2002, $91K in all, or 4.9 per 1,000 homes, more than 60% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 2 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Dennis (2).
Is Morrow 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 Clayton County, 22% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.4% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Morrow?
Morrow is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 7), which takes 15% off federal flood insurance policies for its flood-proofing work. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
What was the biggest storm in Morrow?
By FEMA money that reached Morrow, Hurricane Ivan (2004): 10 households applied for aid, $20K approved. By flood claims, Hurricane Dennis: 2 paid, $19K.
Is Morrow at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (65%), and Morrow’s rate for it is lower than 75% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Morrow.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Morrow’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.