Photo: Tim Kiser (w:User:Malepheasant) · CC BY-SA 2.5On FEMA’s figures, Mora 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, Mora gets a B− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 51% of U.S. towns, #162 of 274 in Minnesota. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (80%). Flood insurance has paid 3 claims here since 1984.
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 Mora 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 Mora’s grade
River and rain flooding is 80% of the building damage FEMA expects in Mora, and Mora’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 66% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 4%, at a rate in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts.
B− #162 of 274 in Minnesota; higher expected damage per building than 51% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Mora’s residents live in 2 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
The typical Minnesota town has lower expected damage than 57% of U.S. towns; within the state, Mora has more expected damage per building than 59% of Minnesota towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.0M a year in losses across Mora: $1.3M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Mora flood? Rarely: 3 flood claims since 1984
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Mora, from FEMA’s records: 1.7 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 66% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Mora isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Kanabec County.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Mora
Disasters that paid out in Mora itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Mora), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2018Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding$97K to the City of Mora for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2011Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes$3K to the City of Mora for repairs
Kanabec County has had 8 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 Mora after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Mora archive →Mora and its neighbors
Mora has the lowest expected damage per building of the 2 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mora | B−more damage than 51% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Arthur Township | C+more damage than 61% | river and rain flooding | — |
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 Mora 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 Mora
Is Mora at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Mora has higher expected damage per building than 51% of U.S. towns: B− for hazard risk, #162 of 274 in Minnesota. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (80%) and tornadoes (9%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Mora flood?
Flood insurance has paid 3 claims in Mora since 1984, $58K in all, or 1.7 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 66% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Mora 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 Kanabec County, 0.1% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Mora?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Mora’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 Mora?
By FEMA money that reached Mora, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding (2018): $97K to the City of Mora for repairs.
Is Mora at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (80%), and Mora’s rate for it is higher than 66% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Mora.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Mora’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.