On FEMA’s figures, Morton faces about as much hazard damage per building as the typical U.S. town, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Morton gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 55% of U.S. towns, #390 of 768 in Illinois. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (73%), then tornadoes (17%). Flood insurance has paid 9 claims here since 1979.
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 Morton 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 Morton’s grade
River and rain flooding is 73% of the building damage FEMA expects in Morton, and Morton’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 65% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 17%, at a rate in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts.
C+ #390 of 768 in Illinois; higher expected damage per building than 55% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Morton’s residents live in 6 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, Morton has more expected damage per building than 51% of Illinois towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $9.0M a year in losses across Morton: $6.3M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Morton flood? Rarely: 9 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Morton, from FEMA’s records: 1.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 74% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Morton isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Tazewell County.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Morton
Disasters that paid out in Morton itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Village of Morton), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2013Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Tornadoes16 households applied for aid$35K aid approved
- 2013Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding3 households applied for aid$12K aid approved
- 2011Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$35K to the Village of Morton for repairs
- 2006Snow$33K to the Village of Morton for repairs
- 2003Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding58 households applied for aid$79K aid approved
- 1999Il-winter Storm 1/1/99$26K to the Village of Morton for repairs
Tazewell County has had 12 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often floods, then severe storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Morton after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Morton archive →Morton and its neighbors
Morton is 4th of the 5 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Groveland Township | Bless damage than 64% | river and rain flooding | 38 |
| Washington Township | Bless damage than 61% | river and rain flooding | 24 |
| East Peoria | B−more damage than 51% | river and rain flooding | 87 |
| Morton | C+more damage than 55% | river and rain flooding | 9 |
| Fondulac Township | C+more damage than 58% | river and rain flooding | 35 |
| Morton Township | — | not graded yet | |
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 Morton 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 Morton
Is Morton at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Morton has higher expected damage per building than 55% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk, #390 of 768 in Illinois. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (73%) and tornadoes (17%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Morton flood?
Flood insurance has paid 9 claims in Morton since 1979, $78K in all, or 1.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 74% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Morton 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 Tazewell County, 17% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.2% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Morton?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Morton’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 Morton?
By FEMA money that reached Morton, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2003): 58 households applied for aid, $79K approved.
Is Morton at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (73%), and Morton’s rate for it is higher than 65% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Morton.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Morton’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.