Photo: Bart Everson · CC BY 2.0For tornadoes, Morton’s building-damage rate is in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Morton gets a B− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 54% of U.S. towns, #16 of 101 in Mississippi. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (40%), then tornadoes (20%). Flood insurance has paid 4 claims here since 1993.
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
Hail
Hurricanes
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 40% of the building damage FEMA expects in Morton, and Morton’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 83% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 20%, at a rate in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts.
B− #16 of 101 in Mississippi; lower expected damage per building than 54% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Morton’s residents live in 3 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
The typical Mississippi town has higher expected damage than 64% of U.S. towns; within the state, Morton has less expected damage per building than 85% of Mississippi towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.4M a year in losses across Morton: $853K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Morton flood? Rarely: 4 flood claims since 1993
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Morton, from FEMA’s records: 3.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 52% 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: Scott County.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Morton
Disasters that paid out in Morton itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Morton), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding235 households applied for aid$1.4M aid approved
- 2005Hurricane Katrina1,038 households applied for aid$700K aid approved
- 2003Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Floods21 households applied for aid$122K aid approved
Scott County has had 18 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then hurricanes and tropical storms.
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 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Morton | B−less damage than 54% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
| Pelahatchie | C+more damage than 55% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
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.
- 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.
- The season runs June through November and peaks from mid-August to mid-October.
- Bring in porch furniture and anything the wind can throw.
- Fill the gas tank and charge phones before the storm arrives.
- 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 lower expected damage per building than 54% of U.S. towns: B− for hazard risk, #16 of 101 in Mississippi. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (40%) and tornadoes (20%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Morton flood?
Flood insurance has paid 4 claims in Morton since 1993, $4K in all, or 3.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 52% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once.
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 Scott County, 15% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.5% 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, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2024): 235 households applied for aid, $1.4M approved.
Is Morton at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (40%), and Morton’s rate for it is lower than 83% 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.