Morris Plains Station · Photo: Robert Mortell · CC BY-SA 3.0Less hazard damage per building is expected in Morris Plains than in 72% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Morris Plains gets a B+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 72% of U.S. towns, #88 of 468 in New Jersey. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (86%). Flood insurance has paid 11 claims here since 1978.
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 Morris Plains 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
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 Morris Plains’ grade
River and rain flooding is 86% of the building damage FEMA expects in Morris Plains, and Morris Plains’ rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 53% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 5% (higher than 67% of U.S. census tracts).
B+ #88 of 468 in New Jersey; lower expected damage per building than 72% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Morris Plains’ residents live in 2 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
The typical New Jersey town has higher expected damage than 56% of U.S. towns; within the state, Morris Plains has less expected damage per building than 81% of New Jersey towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.8M a year in losses across Morris Plains: $1.4M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Morris Plains flood? Sometimes: 11 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Morris Plains, from FEMA’s records: 4.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 56% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Floyd2 claims · $4K
- Hurricane Irene1 claim · $4K
Morris Plains isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Morris County.12 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Morris Plains
Disasters that paid out in Morris Plains itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Borough of Morris Plains), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Remnants of Hurricane Ida50 households applied for aid$27K aid approved
- 2021Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$50K to the Borough of Morris Plains for repairs
- 2020Tropical Storm Isaias$52K to the Borough of Morris Plains for repairs
- 2018Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$135K to the Borough of Morris Plains for repairs
- 2016Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$23K to the Borough of Morris Plains for repairs
- 2012Hurricane Sandy152 households applied for aid$15K aid approved$230K to the Borough of Morris Plains for repairs
Show all 12
- 2011Severe Storm$35K to the Borough of Morris Plains for repairs
- 2011Hurricane Irene88 households applied for aid$159K aid approved$87K to the Borough of Morris Plains for repairs1 flood claim paid for it, $4K
- 2010Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$23K to the Borough of Morris Plains for repairs
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding4 households applied for aid$8K aid approved
- 2007Severe Storms and Inland and Coastal Flooding5 households applied for aid$3K aid approved
- 1999Hurricane Floyd Major Disaster Declarations$12K to the Borough of Morris Plains for repairs2 flood claims paid for it, $4K
Morris County has had 25 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then hurricanes and tropical storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees; the 2001 World Trade Center declarations.
Old photos of Morris Plains after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Morris Plains archive →Morris Plains and its neighbors
Morris Plains has the lowest expected damage per building of the 4 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Morris Plains | B+less damage than 72% | river and rain flooding | 11 |
| Hanover Township | Bless damage than 62% | river and rain flooding | 72 |
| Morris Township | Bless damage than 60% | river and rain flooding | 58 |
| Parsippany-Troy Hills Township | C−more damage than 77% | river and rain flooding | 542 |
| Cedar Knolls | — | a Census area inside a town; graded with the town | |
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 Morris Plains 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.
- 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 Morris Plains
Is Morris Plains at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Morris Plains has lower expected damage per building than 72% of U.S. towns: B+ for hazard risk, #88 of 468 in New Jersey. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (86%) and hurricanes (5%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Morris Plains flood?
Flood insurance has paid 11 claims in Morris Plains since 1978, $41K in all, or 4.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 56% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Hurricane Floyd (2).
Is Morris Plains 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 Morris County, 1.4% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Morris Plains?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Morris Plains’ 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 Morris Plains?
By FEMA money that reached Morris Plains, Hurricane Sandy (2012): 152 households applied for aid, $15K approved, and $230K to the Borough of Morris Plains for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Floyd: 2 paid, $4K.
Is Morris Plains at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (86%), and Morris Plains’ rate for it is higher than 53% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Morris Plains.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Morris Plains’ 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.