Photo: Chamber221 · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA expects about as much hazard damage per building in Morrison as in the typical U.S. town, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Morrison gets a B− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 52% of U.S. towns, #308 of 768 in Illinois. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (77%), then tornadoes (10%). Flood insurance has paid 15 claims here since 1997.
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 Morrison 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
Hail
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 Morrison’s grade
River and rain flooding is 77% of the building damage FEMA expects in Morrison, and Morrison’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 61% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 10% (higher than 78% of U.S. census tracts).
B− #308 of 768 in Illinois; lower expected damage per building than 52% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Morrison’s residents live in 2 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, Morrison has less expected damage per building than 60% of Illinois towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.8M a year in losses across Morrison: $1.2M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Morrison flood? Sometimes: 15 flood claims since 1997
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Morrison, from FEMA’s records: 9.9 per 1,000 homes, more than 74% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Mid-spring storms1 claim · $17K
Morrison isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Whiteside County.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Morrison
Disasters that paid out in Morrison itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Morrison), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2013Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding3 households applied for aid$9K aid approved2 flood claims paid that year
- 2011Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$13K to the City of Morrison for repairs
Whiteside County has had 11 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often floods, then winter storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Morrison after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Morrison archive →Get ready for what Morrison 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.
- Park in a garage or under cover when storms are forecast.
- Stay away from windows while it falls.
- Photograph roof and car damage for your insurer.
- 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 Morrison
Is Morrison at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Morrison has lower expected damage per building than 52% of U.S. towns: B− for hazard risk, #308 of 768 in Illinois. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (77%) and tornadoes (10%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Morrison flood?
Flood insurance has paid 15 claims in Morrison since 1997, $205K in all, or 9.9 per 1,000 homes, more than 74% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 2 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Mid-spring storms (1).
Is Morrison 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 Whiteside County, 24% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.7% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Morrison?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Morrison’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 Morrison?
By FEMA money that reached Morrison, Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm (2011): $13K to the City of Morrison for repairs. By flood claims, Mid-spring storms: 1 paid, $17K.
Is Morrison at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (77%), and Morrison’s rate for it is higher than 61% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Morrison.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Morrison’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.