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–Not graded
Natural hazards in Morris · FEMA

Storms, floods and disasters in Morris

Morris isn’t graded for hazard risk: Morris has 626 residents; we grade towns of 1,000 or more. Flood insurance has paid 2 claims here since 2006.

Flood claims
2
paid since 2006 · $80K
Disasters paid out here
8
of 20 declared for Otsego County
By hazard

What 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

97%of expected building damage
Well above average · in the top 9% of U.S. census tracts
Recorded about 2 times a year in the area
Smaller shares here
 Hurricanes Tornadoes Strong wind Earthquakes Winter storms Ice storms Hail Wildfire Cold waves Heat waves Landslides Lightning
FEMA models no building damage here
Coastal floodingAvalanchesTsunamisVolcanic activity
People, not buildings.Counting harm to people as well as buildings, FEMA’s model puts cold waves at 12% of Morris’ expected losses. Cold waves do little damage to buildings (0.0%), so they aren’t part of the grade.

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.

Flood risk changes street by street. Check a specific address on FEMA’s flood map, and ask about flood insurance before you buy.
Flood insurance claims

Does Morris flood? Rarely: 2 flood claims since 2006

Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Morris, from FEMA’s records.

Paid flood claims, by year
2006: 1 claim2007: 0 claims2008: 0 claims2009: 0 claims2010: 0 claims2011: 0 claims2012: 0 claims2013: 0 claims2014: 0 claims2015: 0 claims2016: 0 claims2017: 0 claims2018: 0 claims2019: 0 claims2020: 0 claims2021: 1 claim2022: 0 claims2023: 0 claims2024: 0 claims2025: 0 claims2026: 0 claims20062021
20062026
2
paid claims since 2006
$80K
paid to owners
0
homes flooded more than once
$40K
average claim
of homes in flood zones are insured
of all homes are insured
No community discount

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: Otsego County.
Disasters

8 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Morris

Disasters that paid out in Morris itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Village of Morris), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.

  1. 2017Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$3K to the Village of Morris for repairs
  2. 2014Severe Storms and Flooding$3K to the Village of Morris for repairs
  3. 2011Remnants of Tropical Storm Lee18 households applied for aid$15K aid approved$15K to the Village of Morris for repairs
  4. 2011Hurricane Irene5 households applied for aid$25K aid approved
  5. 2006Severe Storms and Flooding$33K to the Village of Morris for repairs
  6. 2006Severe Storms and Flooding27 households applied for aid$37K aid approved$290K to the Village of Morris for repairs
Show all 8
  1. 2002Snowstorms$2K to the Village of Morris for repairs
  2. 2000Severe Storms and Flooding$52K to the Village of Morris for repairs
Disasters declared, by decade
Paid out in MorrisOtsego County only

Otsego County has had 20 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then winter storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees; the 2001 World Trade Center declarations.

Were you here?

Old photos of Morris after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.

Add to the Morris archive →
Be ready

Get ready for what 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.

When the river rises
  • 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.
More from Ready.gov ↗
Before you buy or rent
  • 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.
When a storm is coming
Forecast and alertsWeather →911, the nearest ERSafety →

Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.

Questions about natural hazards in Morris

Does Morris flood?

Flood insurance has paid 2 claims in Morris since 2006, $80K in all.

Is 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 Otsego County, 18% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.9% of all homes do.

How much is flood insurance in Morris?

FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for 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 Morris?

By FEMA money that reached Morris, Severe Storms and Flooding (2006): 27 households applied for aid, $37K approved, and $290K to the Village of Morris for repairs.

Storm stories

Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Morris.

Town Square →
Start the conversation

Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where 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.