Coral Castle · Photo: Christina Rutz · CC BY 2.0More hazard damage per building is expected in Leisure City than in 84% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Leisure City gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 84% of U.S. towns, #378 of 638 in Florida. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (60%), then hurricanes (38%). Flood insurance has paid 133 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 Leisure City’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Leisure City 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 Leisure City’s grade
River and rain flooding is 60% of the building damage FEMA expects in Leisure City, and Leisure City’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 78% of U.S. census tracts. Hurricanes add 38%, at a rate in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts.
C− #378 of 638 in Florida; higher expected damage per building than 84% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Leisure City’s residents live in 7 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, Leisure City has more expected damage per building than 59% of Florida towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $5.0M a year in losses across Leisure City: $3.8M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Leisure City flood? Yes: 133 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Leisure City, from FEMA’s records: 15.6 per 1,000 homes, more than 81% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Katrina63 claims · $858K
- Hurricane Irene22 claims · $173K
- Hurricane Irma13 claims · $259K
Leisure City isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Dade County.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Leisure City
Disasters that paid out in Leisure City itself (aid to households or repair grants to Leisure City), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2017Hurricane Irma246 households applied for aid$110K aid approved13 flood claims paid for it, $259K
- 2005Hurricane Wilma6 households applied for aid$6K aid approved5 flood claims paid for it, $141K
- 2004Hurricane Frances2 households applied for aid$16K aid approved
- 2003Severe Storms and Tornadoes6 households applied for aid$2K aid approved
Its 2 counties have had 32 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 its 2 counties, 1999–2001.
Old photos of Leisure City after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Leisure City archive →Leisure City and its neighbors
Leisure City is 2nd of the 3 graded towns here, from least expected damage per building to most. Tap a town to see its hazards.
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 Leisure City 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 Leisure City
Is Leisure City at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Leisure City has higher expected damage per building than 84% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #378 of 638 in Florida. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (60%) and hurricanes (38%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Leisure City flood?
Flood insurance has paid 133 claims in Leisure City since 1979, $1.7M in all, or 15.6 per 1,000 homes, more than 81% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Hurricane Katrina (63).
Is Leisure City 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 Dade County, 74% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 33.4% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Leisure City?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Leisure City’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 Leisure City?
By FEMA money that reached Leisure City, Hurricane Irma (2017): 246 households applied for aid, $110K approved. By flood claims, Hurricane Katrina: 63 paid, $858K.
Is Leisure City at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (60%), and Leisure City’s rate for it is higher than 78% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Leisure City.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Leisure City’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.