Photo: Connor J. Williams · CC BY 3.0Less hazard damage per building is expected in Leesburg than in 64% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Leesburg gets a B for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 64% of U.S. towns, #7 of 638 in Florida. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (52%), then hurricanes (29%). Flood insurance has paid 7 claims here since 1997.
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 Leesburg’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Leesburg 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
Tornadoes
Strong wind
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 Leesburg’s grade
River and rain flooding is 52% of the building damage FEMA expects in Leesburg, and Leesburg’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 74% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 5%, at a rate in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts.
B #7 of 638 in Florida; lower expected damage per building than 64% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Leesburg’s residents live in 12 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
The typical Florida town has higher expected damage than 79% of U.S. towns; within the state, Leesburg has less expected damage per building than 99% of Florida towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $7.0M a year in losses across Leesburg: $5.6M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Leesburg flood? Rarely: 7 flood claims since 1997
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Leesburg, from FEMA’s records: 0.5 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 90% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Irma2 claims · $35K
- Hurricane Milton1 claim · $6K
Leesburg isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Lake County.12 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Leesburg
Disasters that paid out in Leesburg itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Leesburg), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Hurricane Milton4,665 households applied for aid$3.7M aid approved$2.3M to the City of Leesburg for repairs1 flood claim paid for it, $6K
- 2023Hurricane Idalia$111K to the City of Leesburg for repairs
- 2022Hurricane Nicole84 households applied for aid$27K aid approved
- 2022Hurricane Ian1,832 households applied for aid$741K aid approved$628K to the City of Leesburg for repairs
- 2017Hurricane Irma6,145 households applied for aid$1.9M aid approved$1.6M to the City of Leesburg for repairs2 flood claims paid for it, $35K
- 2016Hurricane Matthew$74K to the City of Leesburg for repairs
Show all 12
- 2008Tropical Storm Fay20 households applied for aid$14K aid approved$19K to the City of Leesburg for repairs
- 2007Severe Storms and Tornadoes8 households applied for aid$968 aid approved
- 2004Hurricane Jeanne1,044 households applied for aid$1.1M aid approved$386K to the City of Leesburg for repairs
- 2004Hurricane Ivan31 households applied for aid$2K aid approved
- 2004Hurricane Frances799 households applied for aid$732K aid approved$1.3M to the City of Leesburg for repairs
- 2004Tropical Storm Bonnie and Hurricane Charley101 households applied for aid$123K aid approved$18K to the City of Leesburg for repairs
Lake County has had 24 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often hurricanes and tropical storms, then severe storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Also 2 FEMA wildfire suppression grants (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Lake County, 2000–2007.
Old photos of Leesburg after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Leesburg archive →Leesburg and its neighbors
Leesburg is 2nd of the 6 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Silver Lake | B+less damage than 69% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Leesburg | Bless damage than 64% | river and rain flooding | 7 |
| Fruitland Park | Bless damage than 64% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Yalaha | C+more damage than 63% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Groveland | C+more damage than 64% | river and rain flooding | 8 |
| Wildwood | Cmore damage than 70% | hurricanes | 12 |
| Lisbon | — | 100 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 Leesburg 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.
- 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.
- Trim dead limbs over the house and driveway.
- Tie down trash cans and outdoor furniture.
- Stay clear of downed lines and call the utility.
- 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 Leesburg
Is Leesburg at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Leesburg has lower expected damage per building than 64% of U.S. towns: B for hazard risk, #7 of 638 in Florida. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (52%) and hurricanes (29%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Leesburg flood?
Flood insurance has paid 7 claims in Leesburg since 1997, $67K in all, or 0.5 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 90% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Irma (2).
Is Leesburg 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 Lake County, 24% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 2.5% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Leesburg?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Leesburg’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 Leesburg?
By FEMA money that reached Leesburg, Hurricane Milton (2024): 4,665 households applied for aid, $3.7M approved, and $2.3M to the City of Leesburg for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Irma: 2 paid, $35K.
Is Leesburg at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (52%), and Leesburg’s rate for it is lower than 74% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Leesburg.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Leesburg’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.