Photo: TCP04 · CC BY 4.0On FEMA’s figures, Morris faces more hazard damage per building than 82% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Morris gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 82% of U.S. towns, #681 of 768 in Illinois. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (86%). Flood insurance has paid 58 claims here since 1978.
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 Morris 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
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 Morris’ grade
River and rain flooding is 86% of the building damage FEMA expects in Morris, and Morris’ rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 89% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 3%, at a rate in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts.
C− #681 of 768 in Illinois; higher expected damage per building than 82% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Morris’ residents live in 4 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
The typical Illinois town has higher expected damage than 54% of U.S. towns; within the state, Morris has more expected damage per building than 89% of Illinois towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $14.6M a year in losses across Morris: $8.1M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Morris flood? Sometimes: 58 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Morris, from FEMA’s records: 8.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 72% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Mid-spring storms21 claims · $730K
- Hurricane Ike4 claims · $274K
Morris isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Grundy County.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Morris
Disasters that paid out in Morris itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Morris), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2013Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding99 households applied for aid$201K aid approved21 flood claims paid that year
- 2008Severe Storms and Flooding40 households applied for aid$70K aid approved5 flood claims paid that year
- 2007Severe Storms and Flooding34 households applied for aid$75K aid approved4 flood claims paid that year
Grundy County has had 12 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then floods. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Morris after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Morris archive →Morris and its neighbors
Morris is 2nd of the 4 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Morris Township | C−more damage than 82% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Morris | C−more damage than 82% | river and rain flooding | 58 |
| Erienna Township | Dmore damage than 87% | river and rain flooding | 34 |
| Wauponsee Township | Dmore damage than 87% | river and rain flooding | 13 |
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 Morris 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.
- 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 Morris
Is Morris at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Morris has higher expected damage per building than 82% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #681 of 768 in Illinois. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (86%) and tornadoes (8%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Morris flood?
Flood insurance has paid 58 claims in Morris since 1978, $1.4M in all, or 8.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 72% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 10 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Mid-spring storms (21).
Is Morris 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 Grundy County, 17% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.8% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Morris?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Morris’ 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 Morris?
By FEMA money that reached Morris, Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding (2013): 99 households applied for aid, $201K approved. By flood claims, Mid-spring storms: 21 paid, $730K.
Is Morris at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (86%), and Morris’ rate for it is higher than 89% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Morris.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Morris’ 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.