FEMA puts Mount Morris’s expected hazard damage per building below that of 92% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Mount Morris gets an A for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 92% of U.S. towns, #102 of 701 in Michigan. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (64%), then tornadoes (22%). Flood insurance has paid 1 claim here since 1981.
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
Strong wind
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 64% of the building damage FEMA expects in Mount Morris, and Mount Morris’ rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 86% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 8%, at a rate in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts.
A #102 of 701 in Michigan; lower expected damage per building than 92% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Mount Morris’ residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
The typical Michigan town has lower expected damage than 77% of U.S. towns; within the state, Mount Morris has less expected damage per building than 86% of Michigan towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $602K a year in losses across Mount Morris: $268K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Mount Morris flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 1981
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Mount Morris, from FEMA’s records: 0.7 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 85% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
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: Genesee County.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Mount Morris
Disasters that paid out in Mount Morris itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Mount Morris), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2004Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding119 households applied for aid$113K aid approved
- 2000Snow$3K to the City of Mount Morris for repairs
Genesee County has had 9 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 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 →Mount Morris and its neighbors
Mount Morris has the lowest expected damage per building of the 3 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mount Morris | Aless damage than 92% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Mount Morris Township | A−less damage than 82% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
| Genesee Township | B+less damage than 73% | river and rain flooding | 15 |
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 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.
- Trim dead limbs over the house and driveway.
- Tie down trash cans and outdoor furniture.
- Stay clear of downed lines and call the utility.
- 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 92% of U.S. towns: A for hazard risk, #102 of 701 in Michigan. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (64%) and tornadoes (22%). 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.
Does Mount Morris flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in Mount Morris since 1981, $4K in all, or 0.7 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 85% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
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 Genesee County, 20% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.2% 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, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2004): 119 households applied for aid, $113K approved.
Is Mount Morris at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (64%), and Mount Morris’ rate for it is lower than 86% 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.