Photo: Jared Kofsky · CC BY-SA 3.0On FEMA’s figures, Morristown 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, Morristown gets a B− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 55% of U.S. towns, #230 of 468 in New Jersey. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (89%). Flood insurance has paid 17 claims here since 1979.
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 Morristown 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
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 Morristown’s grade
River and rain flooding is 89% of the building damage FEMA expects in Morristown, and Morristown’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 75% of U.S. census tracts.
B− #230 of 468 in New Jersey; higher expected damage per building than 55% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Morristown’s residents live in 6 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, Morristown has less expected damage per building than 51% of New Jersey towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $5.7M a year in losses across Morristown: $4.4M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Morristown flood? Sometimes: 17 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Morristown, from FEMA’s records: 1.8 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 64% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Irene4 claims · $565K
- Hurricane Ida2 claims · $60K
- Hurricane Floyd2 claims · $34K
Morristown 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.11 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Morristown
Disasters that paid out in Morristown itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Morristown), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Remnants of Hurricane Ida153 households applied for aid$130K aid approved2 flood claims paid for it, $60K
- 2020Tropical Storm Isaias$79K to the Town of Morristown for repairs
- 2018Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$418K to the Town of Morristown for repairs
- 2012Hurricane Sandy399 households applied for aid$54K aid approved$346K to the Town of Morristown for repairs
- 2011Severe Storm$64K to the Town of Morristown for repairs
- 2011Hurricane Irene422 households applied for aid$830K aid approved$390K to the Town of Morristown for repairs4 flood claims paid for it, $565K
Show all 11
- 2010Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$27K to the Town of Morristown for repairs
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding3 households applied for aid$2K aid approved$8K to the Town of Morristown for repairs
- 2007Severe Storms and Inland and Coastal Flooding18 households applied for aid$17K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2005Severe Storms and Flooding1 households applied for aid$1K aid approved
- 1999Hurricane Floyd Major Disaster Declarations$123K to the Town of Morristown for repairs2 flood claims paid for it, $34K
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 Morristown after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Morristown archive →Get ready for what Morristown 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.
- 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 Morristown
Is Morristown at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Morristown has higher expected damage per building than 55% of U.S. towns: B− for hazard risk, #230 of 468 in New Jersey. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (89%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Morristown flood?
Flood insurance has paid 17 claims in Morristown since 1979, $777K in all, or 1.8 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 64% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 2 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Irene (4).
Is Morristown 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 Morristown?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Morristown’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 Morristown?
By FEMA money that reached Morristown, Hurricane Irene (2011): 422 households applied for aid, $830K approved, and $390K to the Town of Morristown for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Irene: 4 paid, $565K.
Is Morristown at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (89%), and Morristown’s rate for it is higher than 75% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Morristown.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Morristown’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.