Photo: Ben Jacobson (Kranar Drogin) · CC BY 2.5FEMA puts Mount Morris’s expected hazard damage per building below that of 68% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Mount Morris gets a B+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 68% of U.S. towns, #163 of 768 in Illinois. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (73%), then tornadoes (13%). FEMA’s files show no paid flood insurance claims here.
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 Mount 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
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 Mount Morris’ grade
River and rain flooding is 73% of the building damage FEMA expects in Mount Morris, and Mount Morris’ rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 55% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 13% (higher than 81% of U.S. census tracts).
B+ #163 of 768 in Illinois; lower expected damage per building than 68% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Mount Morris’ residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
The typical Illinois town has higher expected damage than 54% of U.S. towns; within the state, Mount Morris has less expected damage per building than 79% of Illinois towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.7M a year in losses across Mount Morris: $1.2M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Mount Morris flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Mount Morris. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Mount 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: Ogle County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Mount Morris
Disasters that paid out in Mount Morris itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Village of Mount Morris), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2011Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$6K to the Village of Mount Morris for repairs
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding2 households applied for aid$879 aid approved
- 2008Record Snow and Near Record Snow$6K to the Village of Mount Morris for repairs
- 2006Snow$6K to the Village of Mount Morris for repairs
- 2000Illinois Winter Snow Storms$2K to the Village of Mount Morris for repairs
Ogle County has had 11 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often winter storms, then floods. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Mount Morris after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Mount Morris archive →Get ready for what Mount 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.
- 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 Mount Morris
Is Mount Morris at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Mount Morris has lower expected damage per building than 68% of U.S. towns: B+ for hazard risk, #163 of 768 in Illinois. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (73%) and tornadoes (13%). The figures are for the one census tract the town shares with its neighbors. This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Is Mount 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 Ogle County, 26% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.8% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Mount Morris?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Mount 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 Mount Morris?
By FEMA money that reached Mount Morris, Record Snow and Near Record Snow (2008): $6K to the Village of Mount Morris for repairs.
Is Mount Morris at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (73%), and Mount Morris’ rate for it is lower than 55% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Mount Morris.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Mount 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.