On FEMA’s figures, Leeds faces more hazard damage per building than 67% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Leeds gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 67% of U.S. towns, #97 of 187 in Alabama. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (78%), then tornadoes (15%). Flood insurance has paid 59 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 stands out about Leeds’ natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Leeds 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
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 Leeds’ grade
River and rain flooding is 78% of the building damage FEMA expects in Leeds, and Leeds’ rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 76% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 15%, at a rate in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts.
C #97 of 187 in Alabama; higher expected damage per building than 67% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Leeds’ residents live in 8 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
The typical Alabama town has higher expected damage than 66% of U.S. towns; within the state, Leeds has more expected damage per building than 52% of Alabama towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $4.9M a year in losses across Leeds: $3.6M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Leeds flood? Sometimes: 59 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Leeds, from FEMA’s records: 11.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 77% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Ivan4 claims · $33K
- Hurricane Zeta1 claim · $23K
Leeds isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Jefferson County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Leeds
Disasters that paid out in Leeds itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Leeds), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2011Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding367 households applied for aid$306K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2005Hurricane Katrina$38K to the City of Leeds for repairs5 flood claims paid that year
- 2004Hurricane Ivan25 households applied for aid$15K aid approved$40K to the City of Leeds for repairs4 flood claims paid for it, $33K
- 2003Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding75 households applied for aid$322K aid approved$103K to the City of Leeds for repairs18 flood claims paid that year
- 2001Severe Storms and Flooding$3K to the City of Leeds for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
Jefferson County has had 35 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then hurricanes and tropical storms.
Also 1 FEMA wildfire suppression grant (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Jefferson County, 2000–2000.
Old photos of Leeds after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Leeds archive →Leeds and its neighbors
Leeds is 4th of the 4 graded towns here, from least expected damage per building to most. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Irondale | B−less damage than 51% | river and rain flooding | 11 |
| Birmingham | C+more damage than 64% | river and rain flooding | 898 |
| Moody | Cmore damage than 67% | river and rain flooding | 7 |
| Leeds | Cmore damage than 67% | river and rain flooding | 59 |
| Dunnavant | — | 966 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
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 Leeds 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.
- 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 Leeds
Is Leeds at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Leeds has higher expected damage per building than 67% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #97 of 187 in Alabama. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (78%) and tornadoes (15%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Leeds flood?
Flood insurance has paid 59 claims in Leeds since 1979, $1.0M in all, or 11.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 77% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 8 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Ivan (4).
Is Leeds 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 Jefferson County, 13% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.5% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Leeds?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Leeds’ 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 Leeds?
By FEMA money that reached Leeds, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2003): 75 households applied for aid, $322K approved, and $103K to the City of Leeds for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Ivan: 4 paid, $33K.
Is Leeds at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (78%), and Leeds’ rate for it is higher than 76% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Leeds.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Leeds’ 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.